Mice
(Mus)
Mice are attracted by food and warmth found in buildings and seek refuge in them in extreme temperatures. Due to their size, mice can squeeze into very small openings such as pipes, gaps beneath doors, and holes surrounding utility lines to access your home.
Appearance
- Short light brown or gray hair
- They are 20cm in length
- They have hair on their ears and tails
- Their droppings are rod-shaped
Behavior, Diet & Habits
Mice make their homes in grassy fields and wooded areas; however, they also take up residence in homes, buildings, storage buildings, sheds when temperatures outside become extreme. They are attracted by the smell of food and can squeeze into very small openings such as pipes, gaps beneath doors, and holes surrounding utility lines.
They are very inquisitive in nature and spend the day looking for food. They prefer seeds and nuts, but will eat almost anything available.
Reproduction
Mice can reproduce very quickly. A single female can produce up to eight litters per year, and an average of six pups per litter. After about 45 days, the new litter is ready to leave home. Most mice are able to reproduce at about 35-days-old and produce offspring at about 9-weeks-old.
Signs of an Infestation
There are several ways to detect a mice infestation.
By Sight: Mice are more active in the evening, though you can still see them in the daytime. Most of the time you can find them along walls, under shelving, behind appliances, or in pantry areas or where pet food is kept.
By Their Droppings: If your property is infested with mice, you will find mice droppings. They are small, rod-shaped and are approximately 3-6mm long. You can typically find droppings under sinks, in cabinets under shelving, and other areas commonly traveled by mice.
By Gnaw Marks: Mice like to chew. They chew on a wide variety of items to use to make their nest, or to gain access to an area. You can find teeth and gnaw marks on food packages, newspaper piles, or other items they typically use to make a nest.
By Tunnels & Burrows: Mice also like to build nests out of materials that provide a dark and protective covering, such as insulation and other soft materials. These nests are often characterized by openings or tunnels that are free of dust and cobwebs and littered with droppings.
By Scratching & Squeaking: In the evenings, when it’s dark and quiet, you can hear mice scratching and gnawing inside the walls, or in the attic. You might even hear squeaking noises as well.
By Smell: If a mice infestation exists in your home, you may notice a very distinct odor, caused by urination. Mice urinate to mark their territory, attract females, and ward off other males.
Treatments
To prevent mice from entering your home, seal all cracks, crevices, holes and gaps larger than a pen cap. Cleanliness can also have deter mice infestations. Be sure to clean up food and store it in glass or metal containers with tight lids.
However, when a home is already infested, prevention methods prove inefficient. The most effective mouse control methods are those administered by trained professionals.
Get In Touch
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(918)-259-9058
Address
12324 E. 60th St Tulsa, OK 74146