Mice are notoriously fast breeders, so a small infestation can become a giant problem in very little time. Since mice are also responsible for contaminating food, spreading diseases, and creating fire hazards by chewing through wires, control measures should be taken to prevent them from coming into your home. Learning more about the mouse life cycle can help you understand what a big problem mice can be.
Baby Mice
After mating, a female mouse is pregnant for approximately 18-21 days. A litter of mice averages 6-8, but can reach as high as 14 babies! A mouse pup is born blind, hairless, and about the size of a quarter. They depend on their mother for nourishment for the first 2 weeks of their life. After these two weeks, they will slowly develop fur and sight and become more mobile.
Juvenile Mice
Mice are only considered juveniles for a short time, from when they are 2-3 weeks of age until they are sexually mature around 8 weeks old. Young mice look like small versions of adult mice and can start leaving the nest to scavenge for their own solid food.
Adult Mice
Starting at only 2 months of age, mice can reproduce. To make matters worse, a female can become pregnant again immediately after giving birth, meaning she can have up to 10 litters of pups per year. That makes it entirely possible for one female mouse in ideal circumstances to produce 60+ babies every year. Add all of her progeny that can also reproduce multiple times within that year, and it isn’t hard to see why infestations can get so large so quickly.
The average lifespan of a mouse varies by their environment. Most mice in the wild live less than one year, but mice in homes, businesses, or lab settings average 2 years. An ideal situation for a mouse is one with a readily available supply of food, lack of predators, not much competition for food, and mild temperatures. It is important that your home does not become the perfect place for mice to live and flourish. Take these steps to prevent mice:
- Clean your home regularly to prevent crumbs
- Store food properly in sealed containers
- Wash dishes immediately after use
- Do not leave pet food out overnight
- Empty the trash regularly and keep outdoor garbage cans covered
- Seal the exterior of your home to prevent entry
- Fix leaky pipes or faucets to get rid of excess moisture
- Hire a pest professional
Six Brothers Pest Control
If you are in need of pest control services, you can trust the professionals at Six Brothers Pest Control. From rodents and roaches to ants and termites, we are experts in the field and will take care of your home and family. We have offices in Orem, Salt Lake City, Saint George, Las Vegas, and Boise. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you have nothing to lose but the pests. Contact us today for more information.
