When it comes to fall and winter pests, the house mouse is one that nearly everyone will have to deal with at one point or another. As the name suggests, house mice regularly live in close proximity to humans and can spend their whole lives in a building or house. If you have ever had mouse problems, there is a good chance that it was a house mouse (mus musculus). Learning to identify the look and signs of a house mouse can help with your rodent control efforts.
Identifying the House Mouse
House mice have large ears that are round in shape, a pointed nose, and a long hairy tail. They average about 2-4 inches in length, with the tail adding an extra 2-4 inches. Mus musculus come in a variety of colors. In the wild, they are mostly gray or brown, but labs and pet stores have produced other colors as well.
Signs of a House Mouse Infestation
Mice are nocturnal and small, so they can live inside a home or business for quite some time without being noticed. During this time, they can reproduce rapidly, so before you know it, you may have an infestation on your hands. You can prevent this extra headache by being aware of some of the signs of mice.
- Mouse droppings (black or dark brown, 5 mm long, pointed ends)
- Holes or bite marks on food packaging
- A musty odor
- Small footprints in dusty areas
- Chew marks on wood, wiring, or insulation
- Noises coming from inside walls, ceilings, or floors (especially at night)
- Strange behavior from pets
House Mouse Prevention Strategies
Even though house mice are extremely common, there are a lot of easy things you can do to prevent them. Check out these tips and tricks to help keep house mice under control.
- Seal the exterior of your home using caulk or expandable spray foam
- Store food properly, either in the fridge or in thick sealed containers
- Keep your home clean and tidy
- Declutter to get rid of hiding places
- Do not leave pet food and water out overnight
- Make sure garbage cans have lids
- Remove any overripe garden produce or fruit that has fallen on the ground
- Eliminate excess moisture around your home and yard
- Keep wood and compost piles at least 20 feet away from your home
Las Vegas Rodent Control
If you need help controlling rodents around your home, call the experts at Six Brothers Pest Control. Our professional technicians will inspect your home and come up with a plant to get rid of whatever is bothering you. At Six Brothers, we believe in our service and our products, so we offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. You can be confident that Six Brothers will help keep your home pest-free. For Las Vegas pest control, St George pest control, and Salt Lake City pest control, call Six Brothers Pest Control today.
