Get the Facts About House Mice

Exterminators in Crystal Lake know everything there is to know about house mice, including their habits, their size, and how to conduct proper mouse control. However, many homeowners will have a mouse infestation without knowing anything about their tiny invaders. Let’s look at some facts about house mice that might help with future mouse control.

Fact #1: Mice Can Squeeze Through Tiny Openings.

House mice are already small creatures—typically weighing in at half an ounce—but they have the ability to mold and shape their bodies to squeeze through tiny openings when they need to. Through openings the size of a dime, a house mouse may have access to your home.

Fact #2: Mice Can Spread Dangerous Diseases.

Though a mouse infestation can be annoying and damaging to a house, it can also be dangerous to humans’ health. Mice can carry up to 200 human pathogens, including the Hantavirus and Salmonella. Both of these bacteria can cause significant health problems and even cause fatalities if not treated right away. Effective mouse control is the only way to prevent these dangerous diseases from entering a house.

Fact #3: Mice Can Eat up to 20 Times a Day.

Even though house mice are exceptionally small, they are still voracious eaters of almost anything they can find. One mouse can eat about 15 to 20 times in one day; the food source will typically be grains or cereals found in house pantries. However, house mice will also eat or utilize other materials for their nests. These materials might include linens, cardboard, and even wood.

Fact #4: Mice Can Reproduce Rapidly.

Another aspect of effective mouse control is to not allow mice to reproduce. One female house mouse can produce up to 50 offspring in one year. If even a quarter of those offspring are female, a mouse infestation can begin very quickly. Mouse control and removal is the only way to avoid a rapidly-growing infestation.