Mouse Control

The house mouse is a small, slender rodent, weighing 0.5 to 1 ounce, with relatively large ears, and a pointed snout. The tail is as long as the head and body together, and coloration varies from light to dark gray. Droppings are rod shaped and inch in size or less. The house mouse can subsist without a free water supply and generally maintains a territory 10 to 30 feet in size.

A difficult mouse problem generally calls for the use of snap traps or glueboards. Use traps in large numbers wherever you find droppings, food sources, and signs of gnawing. Traps should be placed perpendicular and close to the wall, behind furniture, and behind or to the side of large appliances. A line or concentration of droppings is usually an indication of a rodent runway; mice repeatedly travel back and forth across the area, and this runway is an excellent location to place traps. Also, look for openings in the wall behind stoves and under dishwashers or adjacent cabinets, these are frequently entrance points for rodents; traps placed to either side of the opening can give quick results. Drop ceilings are also a very common area for rodent runways. In a drop ceiling, mice will travel along under ducts and near electrical lines as well as the walls.

Exclusion work on the exterior should be done with copper or steel wool, foam, and small wire mesh. A mouse can squeeze through an opening the size of a dime, so a technician will want to seal entrance points thoroughly. Proper weather stripping and exterior doors that close tightly will reduce both insect and rodent problems.

At Northwest Exterminating, our inspectors will do a thorough inspection to determine a plan to control mice in your home. Mouse control is covered under our NorPest Green Pest Control Program. Call us today – 888.466.7849 – or click here to schedule a free inspection.

References

Bennett, G. W., J. M. Owens, and R. M. Corrigan, Trumans Scientific Guide to Pest Control Operations 5th edition Cleveland, OH: Advanstar Communications, 1997. 329-331 pp

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