House Mice
Species
House Mouse Facts
- Color: Dusty gray to gray-brown
- Size: About 5 to 7 inches from nose to tail tip, with the tail making up nearly half
House Mouse Behavior
The house mouse first evolved in Asia and spread around the world by riding along with people in grain stores, carts and ships. It arrived in the Americas on European ships. Its front teeth never stop growing, so it gnaws constantly to keep them worn down. Breeding is fast. Pregnancy lasts about three weeks, a female can raise several litters a year, and each litter usually holds five or six pups. Few wild ones live a full year.
Telling a House Mouse From Other Rodents
An adult house mouse weighs about an ounce or less. Its body is roughly 3 inches long, with a thin, scaly, nearly hairless tail about as long as the body. It has a pointed snout, large rounded ears, small dark eyes and a belly only a little lighter than its back.
Look-alikes in Florida
- Young roof rats have big heads and feet for their size, and a tail longer than the head and body combined.
- Cotton mice, a native species found throughout Florida, have a crisp white belly, white feet, larger eyes and a tail that is darker on top than underneath. They usually live outdoors but sometimes get into sheds, cabins and homes near woods.
Habits: House mice live closely alongside people. Indoors they nest in wall voids, cabinets, attics, appliances and stored boxes, and most stay within a small area, often 10 to 30 feet from the nest. They prefer seeds and grains but will sample almost anything, nibbling small amounts in many places. They can get much of the water they need from their food. Mice are active mainly at night and are good climbers and jumpers.
In Florida: House mice live throughout the state, in homes, garages, barns and businesses. They are active year-round, and North Florida homes tend to see more indoor activity in the cooler months. For other rodents, visit the mice page.
House mice are among the most widespread mammals on earth, and in most places they are the rodent people find indoors most often. Some spend their whole lives inside buildings. Others nest in sheds, hedges, woodpiles or tall grass close to the house and move in when conditions change. Mice do not hibernate, so a run of chilly nights, heavy rain or a nearby field being cleared can push them toward the warmth and steady food of a home. A young mouse can slip through a gap about as wide as a pencil, which makes small openings around pipes, vents and doors enough.
Once inside, the damage adds up. Mice chew wiring, insulation, cardboard and plastic, and they shred paper and fabric for nesting. They leave urine and droppings wherever they travel, pantry shelves and countertops included. That contamination can spread bacteria such as Salmonella, and mouse allergens can make asthma worse. More on the risks is on our mouse health concerns page.
All Seasons Protection Options & Pricing
Florida Bug Control’s All Seasons Protection will treat your home immediately, then begin quarterly treatments the following month to ensure your home is protected from many household pests.
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All Seasons Protection
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What it includes*
- Ants
- Crickets
- Fleas
- Mice
- All Roaches
- Scorpions
- Spiders
- Ticks
- Wasps
- Other**
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4 standard services per year
Unlimited callbacks on request
Assessment to prevent pests from coming back
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