Mouse Control | Exclusion

The house mouse (Mus musculus) is one of the most troublesome and economically important rodents in the United States.  House mice thrive under a variety of conditions; they are found in and around homes and commercial structures as well as in open fields and agricultural lands.  House mice consume and contaminate food meant for humans, pets, livestock, or other animals.  In addition, they cause considerable damage to structures and property, and they can transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.

Although house mice usually prefer to eat cereal grains, they are “nibblers” and will sample many different foods.  Mice have keen senses of taste, hearing, smell, and touch.  They are excellent climbers and can run up any rough vertical surface.  They will run horizontally along wire cables or ropes and can jump up to 12 inches from the floor onto a flat surface.  Mice can squeeze through openings slightly larger than 1/4 inch across.  House mice frequently find their way into homes in the fall of the year, when outdoor temperatures at night become colder.

In a single year, a female may have 5 to 10 litters of about 5 or 6 young.  Young are born 19 to 21 days after mating, and they reach reproductive maturity in 6 to 10 weeks.  The life span of a mouse is probably 9 to 12 months.

MANAGEMENT

Because house mice are so small, they can gain entry into homes and other buildings much more easily than rats.  As a result, house mouse infestations are probably 10 to 20 times more common than rat infestations.  Effective control involves sanitation, exclusion, and population reduction. Sanitation and exclusion are preventive measures.  When a mouse infestation already exists, some form of population reduction such as trapping or baiting is almost always necessary.

A key to successful long-term mouse control is the limitation of shelter and of food sources wherever possible.  Trapping works well when mice are not numerous, or it can be used as a follow-up measure after a baiting program.  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.  Removal of mice should be followed by taking steps to exclude them so that the problem does not recur.

Exclusion

Exclusion is the most successful and permanent form of house mouse control.  “Build them out” by eliminating all gaps and openings larger than ¼ inch, through which mice will enter a structure.  Steel wool makes a good temporary plug.  Seal cracks in building foundations and around openings for water pipes, vents, and utility cables with metal or concrete.  Doors, windows, and screens should fit tightly.  It may be necessary to cover the edges of doors and windows with metal to prevent gnawing.  Plastic screening, rubber or vinyl, insulating foam, wood, and other gnawable materials are unsuitable for plugging holes used by mice.

Animal Removal & Prevention Services MN
(763) 785-1414(612) 386-1289(952) 881-6662
Wild Animal Removal | Wild Animal Disposal | Wild Life Management | Our Process | Contact Us | Pest Control | Google+
Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley, Arden Hills, Birchwood, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Champlin, Chanhassen, Chaska, Circle Pines, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Dayton, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Elk River, Excelsior, Falcon Heights, Forest Lake, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hassan, Hopkins, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Mounds View, New Brighton, New Hope, North Oaks, Osseo, Otsego, Plymouth, Prior Lake, Ramsey, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Rogers, Roseville, Savage, St Anthony, St Louis Park, St Paul, Shoreview, Shorewood, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights, Wayzata, White Bear, White Bear Lake, Woodbury

Notice Regarding COVID-19

We Are Open As An Essential Business

To Our Valued Clients,

Our employees and our customers are our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of each.

As deemed by the Minnesota State Government and the MN Dept of Health, we are a essential business, and will remain open and in full operation.

In addition to our standard levels of sterilization and disinfection between each customer visit, our technicians are disinfecting themselves and equipment throughout the day.

Our technicians are practicing social distancing, and will not be greeting or shaking customer hands at this time.

All estimates, recommendations, payments, etc. can and will be made contact-free at this time.

We realize that some may feel this is an overreaction to the current situation, but we would rather error on taking precautions beyond the currently stated CDC recommendations to make every effort to ensure the health of our community.

Sincerely,
The MN Wild Animal Mgmt Team

You have Successfully Subscribed!