Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Rodents: Deer Mouse | House Mouse | Norway Rat (Brown Rat, House Rat, Wharf Rat, Sewer Rat) | Roof Rat (Black Rat, Ship Rat) | White-footed Mouse

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	House Mouse	Mus musculus Linnaeus	Mammalia	Rodentia	Muridae

	Size:
	Adults range in total size from 5 to 8 inches; tail length is 2.75-4 inches (7-10 cm); weight is 0.5 to1 ounce.
	Characteristics:
	Number one rodent pest in most parts of the world. Smooth fur; pointed nose, small eyes, large ears with some hair; short and broad feet; dark, hairless, scaly tail. Can see clearly only 6 inches ahead, and are color blind. Can climb, run up rough walls and along pipes, ropes, and wires, jump 12 inches high and down from 8 feet. Sometimes can swim.
	Color:
	Varied; but usually light brown to dusty gray on top, light gray or cream on belly.
	Droppings:
	Adult droppings are 1/8-1/4 in (3-6 mm) long, and are rod shaped with pointed ends, but without ridges.
	Where Found:
	Thought to have originated in Central Asia near northern part of Iran and lived in Israel 12,000 years ago. Now all over the world and throughout the U.S.
	Comparison:
	Adult Norway Rat, Roof Rat and Black Rat are larger than the House Mouse, with a body & head length of 7-9.5 in (18-25 cm) and weigh 7-18 ounces or more. Young Norway Rat, Roof Rat and Black Rat have head and feet that are extra large for their body size. Deer Mouse and White-footed Mouse have tails that are tawny brown above, white below. Most other native rats and mice have hairy tails, or if not, their tails appear to be made of ring-like segments.
	Habitat:
	Dark, secluded places with little disturbance and plenty of nesting material, such as paper, fabric, insulation, packing materials, and cotton.
	Food:
	A variety, but especially seeds. Main feedings are at dawn and dusk. They derive moisture from food, but will take water also, especially when eating more protein foods. They prefer sweet liquids.
	Biology:
	“Community nests” of several females sharing same nest with own broods. Social animals. Related male and female are compatible, but unrelated males are aggressive. Small sized territories, marked with urine, are maintained by a dominant male, with lower-ranking males and females. Mature House Mice are aggressive towards strangers of either sex. They mature in 35 days. Life span depends on many factors: indoors with plenty of food they might live up to 2 years or longer. Pregnancy takes 18-21 days, with 5-8 young per litter, 8 litters per year, with 30-35 weaned per year. A female can have a litter every 40-50 days, so more than 1 litter may be in the nest at a time. Can survive in 14 degrees F (-10 C).
	Damage:
	Gnaws on objects, eats and contaminates stored food, and transmits disease by droppings, urine, bites, and direct contact, or contact with cats, fleas, mites.
	Invasion:
	An opening larger than 1/4 inch (6mm) permits a house mouse to enter a structure.
	Control:
	Overall, the key to rodent control involves sanitation, harborage elimination and rodent-proofing the structure. Cleaning up of spillage will enhance the chances of rodents visiting control measures. Elimination of rodent evidence will allow monitoring population control. Eliminating clutter and excess storage will allow for the setting of control measures and the monitoring for the population decrease. Exclusion is an important aspect of rodent control in structures. Most of the rodent problems are due to indigenous species finding their way into our homes or business for food or shelter. Rodents can fit through small openings due to their ability to ‘flatten’ their bodies. Ľ” inch can allow entry for mice. It is important that a thorough inspection be performed for the purpose of identifying entry points and repairing them. This is the only way to achieve long-term control in areas were this rodent is indigenous. Once entry points have been repaired, use of mechanical trapping devices is recommended. We do not recommend the use of rodenticides inside residential properties. When using any rodenticide, read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.