Mice identification in Durham Region
The first step to solving a pest infestation is identification. It is very important to identify what species of rodent you are dealing with. Mice and rats sometimes look similar but they are not. The prevention methods are different.
The house mouse is the most common species in Canada, however, there are many different types of mice present in Canada. House mice are typically dusty gray with cream-colored bellies. Fur color varies from light brown to dark gray depending on the mouse’s location. House mice range from 2.5 to 3.75 inches long. Their tails are usually 2.75 to 4 inches long. House mice have four legs and a round-shaped body. Their muzzles are pointed, and their ears are large with some hair.
The house mouse is most economically important of the commensal rodents. House mice are of Central Asian origin, but they are distributed worldwide and can be found throughout the Canada. House mice are not only a nuisance, but they can pose significant health and property threats.
House mice breed rapidly and can adapt quickly to changing conditions. In fact, a female house mouse can give birth to a half dozen babies every three weeks and can produce up to 35 young per year.
Common mice in Canada
The two most common species of mice in Canada are the house mouse and the deer mouse. These species found here in Ontario. They may invade your home in search of food, water or shelter. In the fall, as winter approaches, they often search for the warmth environment which includes our homes. In the wild, some mice like to create burrows underground while others choose nests on the surface.
The deer mouse has larger ears and is brown or grey with a white belly and white feet. The white colour on the underside of its tail is an easy way to spot a deer mouse. The deer mouse is found in rural, outdoor areas. These rodents rarely invade residential homes, but they can be a problem in farming areas, vacation homes, outbuildings and sheds. Deer mice are of medical concern because they are common carriers of Hantavirus.
How quickly do mice breed?
Mice are breeding machines. They have a gestating period of 19 to 21 days. A female mouse gets pregnant about 5 to 10 times each year and can give birth to a litter of 3 to 14 pups. On an average, the litter size ranges from 6 to 8 pups. On average, you are looking at least 32 to 56 pups each year from one female mouse.
The mice reproduce each year, and the mother can mate immediately after giving birth. So, you could be looking at a new litter within 25 days. To make matters even more complicated, the female baby mouse is capable of reproduction at 6 weeks. So, they can start producing pups of their own and have about 10 litters of their own per year.
In a theoretical situation, two mice that sneak into your home could give birth to 60 in a year. Of these new mice, about 21 to 30 are female mice capable of having their babies within a month, which can theoretically lead to just over 5,000 mice in one year. One mathematician calculated it to be 5 million mice per year, that is if it were a perfect world for mice.
Why it's dangers to have mice in your home or business
They contaminate (put germs on) food with their urine, hair, and droppings. Food can become contaminated with germs like salmonella. Mice also carry fleas, mites, and the disease hantavirus. Mice cause damage by gnawing on insulation and building material, furniture, paper, clothing, and books.
How long mice live?
The life of a mouse is a short one. The tiny rodents that are the source of much anxiety and worry for many property owners only live a short while but can cause a lot of trouble. House mouse live 12- 24 months. Deer mouse live 2-14 months. In the wild, mice do not tend to live longer than 2 years.
Is mouse poop toxic to humans?
Yes, they can be. Mouse droppings carry and can transmit several harmful diseases. Two of the most common illnesses are Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome and Salmonella.
Will mice bite you in your sleep?
Rarely, and that only happens if they somehow went looking for food in your bed and felt threatened.
Is having mice a common problem?
If you have a mouse infestation rest assured you are not alone. Mice typically enter our homes between October and February, looking for food, water and shelter from the cold. If you hear noise in the attic, in the wall or have seen droppings in your home call professional company deals with mice. We at ZOLO pest control have a dedicated team just deal with mice infestation.
How can you tell how many mice you have?
If you're seeing rodent droppings in multiple places around your house, this is a good indication that you have a number of mice running around. Each mice drops in an average 50 -65 droppings a day.
What months mice active?
Rats and mice are more common because of spring breeding and available food. Another peak in breeding occurs in early September as summer temperatures begin to cool.
Can humans get sick from mice?
While the common house mouse is not as dangerous to your health as a deer mouse, they can still spread diseases, such as hantavirus salmonellosis and listeria through their urine, droppings, saliva, and nesting materials. These diseases can be deadly.
Why do I hear scratching in my walls at night?
Mice and rate are constantly chewing. Scurrying – You're likely to hear this as the rodents move from one area in your home to another. More often than not, you’ll hear mice in the dead of night. Mice have nocturnal behaviors. They will typically lie low during the day and come out at night to forage, build nests, and search for food.
However, because it’s so quiet in the dead of night, the sounds you hear as your lying-in bed will likely be amplified. This can make you believe you have a larger wild animal in your home, such as a raccoon or a squirrel.
How do you know if it's a mouse or a rat?
Rodent droppings are a good indicator of the pest in your house. Rat droppings are shiny black and 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch long, whereas mice droppings are small and smooth with pointed ends. You could also hear a scurrying noise as they move quickly across your attic. Chirps and squeaks are also common in mice, but rats usually communicate at a pitch that humans cannot hear.
What attracts mice inside the home?
If you don't tidy up properly and there's food waste on the floor or surfaces, rodents are going to love it. The two main things that can attract mice and rats to your house – food and shelter. Rodents also need shelter, particularly during winter to avoid the worst of the cold.
Why are you not seeing the mice?
Mice don't usually like bright lights, but a mouse might sometimes be seen during the day, especially if its nest has been disturbed or it is seeking food. Mice are nocturnal creatures, so they are most active between dusk and dawn. They don't usually like bright lights.
Why mice are everywhere?
Because wherever mice find holes and cracks in your foundation and outer walls are prime entry points, as are doorways and areas around windows, chimneys, roof vents and any pipes and wires enter your home. They can also jump, climb and swim, making it nearly impossible to prevent them from getting inside. They are small and could come though a very small hole.
Where do mice enter the house?
The most common ways mice get into a house is through an existing hole created by other wildlife, by chewing out a new entry hole, or by a structural anomaly like an exposed crack in the home’s siding. If there has not been a previous wildlife issue or if the home was built very securely, then it's most likely that the mice chewed their way into the home and thus creating an entry point.
How can I ensure mice will not come back?
As the temperature dips, mice will try to make their way inside. Block their entry by using caulk or weather-stripping to seal tiny holes in your foundation, siding, and doorways.
Where should you put mouse traps?
Rodents prefer to run next to baseboard alone the walls or other objects for safety and do not like being out in the open. Place traps in areas where you have seen mice or rats, nesting materials, urine and droppings, nibbled food, or gnaw marks. This is where they are most actively during the night.
What can you do to get rid of mice in your home?
Use a physical barrier to cover over any gaps you may find. Mice can't chew through steel, so use a wire mesh screen to close off any opening you find outside, and steel wool and caulk for any mouse holes you find indoors. Once you seal off all the possible entrances, the next step in getting rid of mice is choosing and strategically placing traps. There are many different types of mouse traps so weigh the pros and cons of each and select the best traps for your situation.
For professional help you could call at 905-244-1214. At ZOLO we have a team of trained people just to deal with rodent problems.
Mice prevention tips
Effective mouse control involves sanitation, mouse proof construction and population reduction. The first two are useful as preventive measures. When a mouse infestation already exists, some form of population reduction is almost always necessary. Reduction techniques include trapping and poisoning.
Mice can survive in very small areas with limited amounts of food and shelter. Consequently, no matter how good the sanitation, most buildings in which food is stored, handled or used will support house mice if not mouse-proofed. Although good sanitation will seldom eliminate mice, poor sanitation is sure to attract them and will permit them to thrive in greater numbers. Good sanitation will also reduce food and shelter for existing mice and in turn make baits and traps more effective. Pay particular attention to eliminating places where mice can find shelter. If they have few places to rest, hide or build nests and rear young, they cannot survive in large numbers
Mouse-Proof Construction. The most successful and permanent form of house mouse control is to "build them out" by eliminating all openings through which they can enter a structure. All places where food is stored, processed or used should be made mouse-proof. Dried grain and meat products should be stored in glass jars, metal canisters or other resalable airtight containers.
Find mice exterminator near you
Hiring a professional pest control company from the beginning will save you so much time and stress, rather than going through trial and error by doing it yourself. ZOLO Pest Control Technicians are trained, skilled, experienced professionals. We understand the habits of each species and use that knowledge to get rid of mice in your home or business effectively. Our service is fast, effective and offers the highest level of safety for your family, staff and customers. Leave the hard work to the professionals with the know-how to quickly eliminate your pest problem once and for all. Save yourself time, energy, and frustration by hiring our reputable pest control company. Our trained and licensed pest technicians will be able to solve your problem quickly and effectively because they are knowledgeable about pests and effective treatments. After all, it is what they do every day. Stop throwing away your time and hard-earned money only to have to call a professional anyway. Get professional help and get it done right the first time.
