The house mouse is one of the most common rodents in the United States and throughout many of our service areas here in Massachusetts. In the fall and winter house mice move indoors for warmth and food. House mice are excellent climbers and can run up any rough vertical surface. They will run horizontally along wire cables or ropes and can jump in some case over a foot from the floor onto a flat surface. They are also know to slip through small cracks and crevices as small as a 1/4 inch in diameter.
House mice bring with them two main problems:
1) they contaminate food-preparation surfaces with their feces, which can cause food poisoning (salmonellosis) and
2) their gnawing can cause damage especially if they chew through wires, which in some cases can cause a fire.
How to Recognize a Mouse Infestation in your Massachusetts Home
Droppings, fresh gnawing and tracks indicate areas where mice are active. Mouse nests, made from fine shredded paper or other fibrous material, are often found in sheltered locations. House mice have a characteristic musky odor that identifies their presence. Mice are occasionally seen during daylight hours but are more active at night.
In a single year, a female may have five to 10 litters of usually five or six young each. Young are born 19 to 21 days after mating, and they are mature in six to 10 weeks. The life span of a mouse is about nine to 12 months so prevention and control of this pest are very important!
House Mouse Prevention and Massachusetts Mouse Control
Effective mouse control involves cleaning and sanitation, exclusion techniques and population reduction. The first two are useful as preventive measures. When a mouse infestation already exists, some form of population reduction is almost always necessary. If you have seen a mouse, chances are there are many more in your home. This is where Burgess Pest Management can help! If you suspect you have a mouse problem call us today or click here for a FREE Estimate.
