House Mouse Control
How to get rid of house mice, mouse nests, and understand what do mice eat.
About House Mice
Since mice have a higher population number than rats, they are more widespread.
House Mice Diet
A mouse prefers seeds, cereal grains, or sweets but will eat almost anything. Mice do not need much water; they get most of their water requirements from their food. Farms and granaries are often infested with mice as they eat large quantities of stored seed and grains.
House Mice Habits and Biology
A characteristic musky odor can identify house mice. Mice nibble on food all day long. They eat many times and eat at different locations. However, they do have two main meal times, just before dusk and just before dawn. They can eat about 10 to 15% of their body weight every day, the adults weighing about 5/8-1 oz. Mice also cache food as supply permits. They get much of their water from food products. Mice can be seen during the daylight hours but are active mostly at night.
Use Mice Traps or Baits to Get Rid Of House Mice
After a thorough rodent inspection, use mice traps or rodent bait to control and get rid of mice. They tend to store food. It is best to use a bait blox in a baiting program with a rod in a Mouse Protecta Bait Station, so they don't carry the bait off for storage(such as pellets) for later consumption. Place rodent baits or traps close to suspected activity.
Key Takeaway
Whether using traps or baits, remember that mice don't usually travel far from their nest. Places baits or traps near areas of known activity.
Difference Between a Young Rat and a Mouse
House Mouse Inspection
Mice Nest
Under favorable conditions(shelter and food sources, mice populations can expand and form mice nests.
These nests are made from insulation, paper, furniture stuffing, and other soft material.
The mice nests are found in various locations close to food and water. Good nests are important to the reproductive success and survival of mice. The mice do not go far from their nests.
In buildings, these nests can be found in walls, closets, ceiling and cabinet voids, within large appliances (under refrigerators or ovens), storage boxes, drawers, or even within the upholstery. Outside, these mice nests are constructed in-ground burrows or debris.
Their droppings (feces) are rod-shaped, about 1/8-1/4 inch long. House mice will gnaw making clean holes about 1-1/2 " in diameter. Mice will gnaw on paper and boxes, using it for nesting material. House mice will also gnaw on bar soaps.
House Mouse Exclusion and Prevention
A house mouse can squeeze through openings slightly larger than 1/4 inch across; eliminate all openings through which they can enter a structure.
House Mice Proofing Your House
- Seal any openings larger than 1/4 inch to exclude mice.
- House mice frequently find their way into homes in the fall of the year when outdoor temperatures at night become colder.
- Eliminate all openings through which mice can enter a structure. Seal openings and cracks around structure foundations. Seal openings around utilities, vents, and pipes.
- YFor the mouse not to chew or pull out patching compounds, the patching materials need to be smooth on the surface.
- Doors, windows, and screens should fit tightly.
- Mouseproof all stored, processed, or used food. Store meat and grains in glass jars, resealable airtight containers, or metal canisters.
