The mouse is an animal belonging to the group of mammals, which is found everywhere in the world. They have a pointed snout, small black eyes, rounded ears, and long mustaches. Mice weigh between 30 g and 45 g and their bodies measure between 6 cm to 9 cm. Their tails are almost as long as their bodies. Their fur is gray, and their stomach is lighter in color.

The term mouse is used to describe different species of rodent mammals. There are several different species of mice in Quebec, such as the gray mouse (also called house mouse), the white-footed mouse, the deer mouse, etc. Mice are easily distinguished from young rats by their small eyes and legs.

Development and Behaviours

Female mice have litters of six to eight babies and can have up to eight litters over their life cycle. This number will vary depending on temperature conditions, availability of food and the ability to construct suitable burrows. Mice acquire reproductive capacity after six weeks of life. These small rodents usually live for less than one year.

All five of their senses are very developed. They are curious by nature, and they often end up making messes anywhere they go. They snack about twenty times a day on small quantities of food that they can find just about anywhere. They especially feed at night and are most active at night. The mice are generally very timid and therefore remain hidden during the day or during certain activities so they can be very difficult to spot.

Inside buildings, they nest in places where they feel protected, in lofts, in ventilation ducts, on the floor behind closets or even in drawers. Everything within a 4.5 m (15 feet) radius of their nest is considered to be their territory.

Prevention

During the colder months, mice search for food, heat, and shelter indoors, often entering homes through small cracks and crevices. However, the real concern is that these rodents represent a threat to health and can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans. In addition, they can cause a lot of material damage once inside (electrical wires, insulating materials, etc.).

Here are some preventive tips to follow to prevent a mouse infestation:

• Trim lawns as short as possible and remove likely locations for nesting by removing anything encumbering the building’s surroundings.
• Ensure that all trash is in containers with tight-fitting covers.
• Eliminate water sources such as leaky faucets, pipes with condensation on them, and open-air drains.
• Keep your kitchen clean and ensure that your pet’s food is in properly closed metal or glass containers.
• Block all possible openings, especially those which are near the ground, because mice can enter through openings as small as 0.6 cm (¼ inch) wide.

Recommendations

Why should I work with an extermination expert?

A professional mouse exterminator will use poison or mouse traps to get rid of mice quickly in your home. He will inspect your home and identify strategic places where to apply poison and traps.

If you have a rodent infestation or a pest problem, call the nearest V Extermination branch to find out about the different options available to you to control, reduce and eliminate the outside population of rodents that could infest your building. Our experts will provide you with a free estimate.

Our certified technicians will offer you a package adapted to your needs. They will inspect your property for potential entry points and signs of mouse activity, as well as suggest solutions to control the outside population if needed.