When someone says “Pest control,” mice are definitely one of the pests that comes to mind. These vermin infest homes all year round. With the colder upon us, this also unfortunately means rodent activity escalates. It is estimated that 21 million homes are invaded each year by these rodents. Mice carry diseases, and can cause major home damages that will cost a pretty penny if not taken care of by yourself or a mice exterminator. Here are a few not so fun facts about mice.
Mice Make an Entrance
Mice can fit through a hole ¼ of an inch in size. Or, in more understandable terms, about the width of a pencil. Mice and rats have a collapsible skeleton, which makes it so they can fit through small openings. Unlike most mammals, their rib cages are able to flex and flatten. This in combination with their spines being far more flexible than any other mammal or pest that gets inside, makes them tricky to keep out. Which unfortunately means, unless holes can be sealed, they’ll find their way in to get access to your food, water, heat, and shelter.
Mice Can Sing
Though they might not make it to the stage of the talent show, mice are one of four mammals that sing. Besides whales, humans, and bats. Mice sing at such a high frequency, we are unable to hear it. Mice sing to find a mate, and when it is slowed down, it has a resemblance to songs. Their singing is separate from their regular high pitched chatter that people can hear. They communicate with each other through less high pitch squeaking.
Mice Have Horrible Eyesight
Ever heard the song “Three Blind Mice?” Mice’s eyes, like most rodents, don’t see well when it is bright. Mice see far better in dim light, and can navigate far better in the dark. Which explains why they are nocturnal. Which often means, they are harder to spot while invading your home. They leave behind evidence, but it is relatively rare to see one during the day. Mice produce 40-100 droppings a day, meaning they leave around 36,000 droppings per year. Mice also leave urine markings everywhere they visit. Mice are also colorblind, meaning they can’t see any red light. That being said, to make up for their poor eyesight, their other senses are terrific. To be more specific, their hearing is relied on heavily. Mice have ultrasonic hearing, and they can hear up to 90 kHz. In addition to their hearing, mice use their whiskers to sense textures and breezes, and sometimes even temperature changes. Mice are very aware of their surroundings, even though their eyes are not the best.
Mice Carry Diseases
Though it is a well known fact that mice are unsanitary creatures, it is not well known how many diseases mice can carry. Mice are known to carry more than 35 diseases worldwide. Some of the main rodent-borne illnesses in the US, include Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), which affects the membrane around the brain and spinal cord. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which affects lung tissue and can lead to fluid flooding the lungs. Leptospirosis, which affects the kidney, brain, and liver, and causes major failure to each organ. Salmonellosis, which is just a fancy way of saying salmonella. And Tularemia, which can cause skin sores, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, diarrhea, and pneumonia.
Mice Teeth Never Stop Growing
Mice, much like almost all their rodent cousins, have to take care of their teeth. Mice chew to keep their long teeth from growing too long. They chew on wood, flooring, and other hard surfaces to keep their teeth from becoming a hazard. Mice’s teeth grow 0.3 mm per day, and have to chew everyday, to keep up with it. Mice chew through furniture, wires, wood, cardboard, and lots of household materials. Not counting farms and other businesses, mice cause $20 billion dollars in damages per year to single family homes.
Mice Eat Habits
Mice are active creatures, and spend a lot of energy jumping, climbing, chewing, running, and fighting their way inside your home. As a result, mice need a lot of food to keep up with their busy lifestyle. Mice eat between 15-20 times a day, consuming around .15 grams per sitting. In total, mice eat 3-4 grams of food per day. Which means they leave behind a lot of droppings. Mice are omnivores, meaning they eat grains, fruits, seeds, and meat. Mice cause damage to crops and domestic gardens yearly. It is estimated around 30% of crops are destroyed by mice. Because they need to eat so often, and so much, mice build their nests within 10 or 30 feet from a food source.
Mice Reproduce Rapidly
One female mouse can produce as many as 10 litters per year. Given that each litter consists of 4-16 pups, the population grows very very quickly with the right resources available. Mice mature to reproductive age by 6 weeks of age. By that time, they will start having their own litters, which only increases the population even more. One pair of mice and a litter of pups, can produce as many as 8,000 mice in one year.
Mice aren’t a pest that just runs their course. They are quick to reproduce and can take over your home and property. If you are seeing mice or evidence of mice, it is important to treat them soon. At Green Pest Management we have the professional mice exterminators that are here to get service to you as soon as possible. We want to help you have peace of mind throughout the seasons. Give us a call at (302) 777-2390 for a free quote.
Recent Comments