Mouse
Deer mice
The genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This genus of New World mice is only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus. Although superficially resembling Mus musculus Peromyscus species have relatively larger eyes, and also often two-tone coloring, with darker colors over the dorsum (back), and white abdominal and limb hair-coloring. The word Peromyscus comes from Greek words meaning “booted mouse”. (WikipediA)
House mouse
The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a small mammal of the order Rodentia, characteristically having a pointed snout, small rounded ears, and a long naked or almost hairless tail. It is one of the most numerous species of the genus Mus. Although a wild animal, the house mouse mainly lives in association with humans. The house mouse has been domesticated as the pet orfancy mouse, and as the laboratory mouse, which is one of the most important model organisms in biology and medicine. (WikipediA)
Basically, mice can be found in almost any location across the world. However, they prefer living in woodlands. From time to time, these rodents will take refuge in houses and other structures. They will then burrow tunnels into the structures and cause damage to property and food in the house. As such, you need to control mouse infestation in the house. Some of the common rat species in the country are the Mus musculus (the house mice) and Peromyscus maniculatus, commonly known as the deer mice.
Appearance
The house mouse is mainly gray or brown in color. While the deer mice also have the same color, their undersides and tails are white in color. The mice have a length of between 150mm and 170mm and have oversized ears. The tail part is about two times the length of the body.
Diet
Being omnivorous, these mammals can feed on almost anything, including fruits, prepared food, insects, nuts and seeds. Additionally, the rodents have a tendency to bite inorganic items, such as plastics and books. They also feed multiple times, up to 30 times, in a day.
Habitat
While mice like living in places with abundant food supplies, they remain concealed throughout the day. Outside the houses, they like hiding under shrubs, vines, grasses and other vegetation. As such, they are commonly found in farmlands, grasslands and pasture lands. In other cases, the rodents live in close association with humans, constantly invading houses, warehouses and offices.
Life cycle
Being mammals, mice give birth to live young ones. Their mating season is between early summer and late fall. After a gestation period of about 20 days, they give birth to a litter of about five young ones. The mice can reproduce up to 12 times in a year. The female young ones take a month to reach maturity while the male ones take two months. Their lives last for up to a year.
Detecting Mice Infestation
Infestation of mice in your property may be detected in a number of ways, including droppings, live mice and mice nests in the property. You may also tell that the house is infested with mice if you come across papers, clothes and boxes with claw and bite marks in the house. You will also hear the rodent squeaking from behind the walls or other structures, especially at night. If you happen to notice mice activity in the house during the day, the infestation is high.
Problems Associated with Mice Infestation
If not checked, the number of mice in the house will surge, leading to a considerable amount of damage to property. This damage id mainly caused by the biting, chewing and burrowing behavior. Additionally, infestation of mice can also lead to food contamination. Mice are also known to transmit infections, such as lymphocytes Chorio-meningitis, murine typhus and tularemia. As such, mice infestation has to be regulated and controlled by the experts.
Prevention of Mice
To begin with, you need to keep the house clean and seal all the openings on the wall and floor. You may also use traps to catch and kill the adult mice as they stroll in the house. However, mice infestation needs a comprehensive approach. This is why you should call the experts.
At AMG Extermination souris, we have some of the best mice control products. Additionally, we also have a comprehensive approach to mice control. As such, we are the best company to approach when your property is infested with mice.
