Are mice important?
The House Mouse are known for harboring diseases like salmonellosis, rickettsia, pox and leptospirosis. They eat
human food items, consuming meat, grains, cereals, seeds, and vegetables. The average House Mouse has the
capability of eating eight pounds of food per year and destroys much more through fecal and urine contamination
and partially eaten food.
The Deer Mouse a related rodent is the main source of Sin Nombre (SN) virus, the cause of hantavirus cardiopulmonary
syndrome (HCPS) in North America. This is a new form of respiratory illness.

Where do mice live?
They crawl through openings as small as 1/4 inch wide. They cause structural damage to buildings by gnawing and
nesting. They feed and nest in houses destroying insulation and gnawing on electrical wiring in walls and the attic.
The house mouse live in food storage areas, garages basements and wherever humans live. The House Mouse can
also live outside.

Reproductive capacity:
House Mouse is sexually matured within 35 days of birth. The unborn is carried for a period of 18‐21 days. The
mature can produce a litter every 50 days and up to 6 to 7 young per litter. The house mouse can live for several

What does a mouse look like?
The average adult House Mouse 3 1/2 inches long with the tail being the same length. Their color is usually dusty
grey but they can also be a light brown to a dark gray with the belly being lighter in color. They have large distinct
ears and weighs about 1/2 to 1 ounce. In addition to being excellent climbers and swimmers the house mouse can
jump around 12 inches. They crawl through openings as small as 1/4 inch wide.