MICE PEST CONTROL

Mice are drawn to warmth, shelter and food. Protect yourself by checking for signs of their presence in order to catch the problem early, as the house mouse will squeeze through any opening, including utility lines, pipes, and even gaps below doors. When they’ve settled, the mouse population increases rapidly, with one female able to have 5 to 10 litters throughout the year, and about 8-14 young each time. Although spotting mice in your home or business is upsetting enough in itself, there is more than meets the eye! Mice aren’t just pesky, they are also associated with significant health risks.
 
Breeding:

The potential reproductive capabilities of rodents are impressive. When living conditions for mice are good (plenty of food, water and shelter) mice can multiply rapidly. However, when living conditions are stressful, reproduction is slowed considerably.

A normal litter of mice is between 4 and 7 pups following a gestation period of about 19 days. Pups are born blind. Within about 10 days, they are covered with fur and the eyes are open. By week three or four pups, are weaned and begin to explore outside of nest, feeding and learning their surroundings.

Because of its small size, adaptability and the fact that it needs small amounts of food and space , the mouse is capable of surviving and reproducing in nearly any environment in which humans exist. Under average conditions, territories range from 10 to 30 feet from the nest.

House mice, after humans, are the most numerous and widespread mammal on earth, and the house mouse is the worlds number 1 rodent pest.

Proactive steps to eliminate mice:

A term I use when I am looking to control mice is, “harass the mice." This means should limit shelter and food sources, and close off entry points wherever possible. This will cause disruption in the mouse routine and drive the mice to traps, especially when enough are placed in strategic locations.

When considering a baiting program, decide if the presence of dead mice will cause an odor or sanitation problem. If so, trapping may be the best approach. After removing mice, take steps to exclude them so that the problem doesn’t recur.

If you are currently having a mouse problem, remember to “harass the mice!' There are a few things to do to keep the mice uncomfortable. While good sanitation will not completely control mice, poor sanitation is sure to attract them and will permit them to thrive in greater numbers. Pull your stove away from the wall annually to clean the floor and the sides of the stove, you will be surprised what you find back there! Do the same with your refrigerator. You also want to pay particular attention to eliminating places where mice can find shelter. Remove hiding places, which will eliminate places for the mice to build nests and rear their young. All of this can be done by removing clutter. You should also remove easy access to food; these steps will create uncertainty for the mice, keeping them on“the balls of their feet” and this harassment will push the mice to the traps and bait.