Identifying Rodents in Your Home
The common house mouse is a highly successful pest and has been labeled a “mammalian weed” because it is so widely distributed on the planet, adapting to many different environments. The mouse can infest many areas within buildings and live in close proximity to people due to its small size and secretive behaviors. And under ideal environmental conditions, the house mouse is a prolific breeder. But with a professional service provider like Anteater Exterminating, we can help you remove any unwanted pest and reduce the likelihood of a future infestation.
Identifying the House Mouse
| Length of Adult Body | 2.5-3.75in/65-95mm |
| Length of Tail | 3.75in/95mm |
| Height of Skull | 0.25in/6mm |
| Adult Weight | .5-1.1oz/3.30g |
| Juvenile Weight | 0.2-0.4oz/6-12g |
| Length of Hind Foot | 20mm |
| Toes on Front Foot | 4 |
| Toes on Hind Foot | 5 |
| Breeding Life (Females) | 6-10 Litters |
| Litter Size | 5-6 |
| Gestation Period | 18-21 Days |
| Age at Weaning | 21 Days |
| Age at Mating | 6-10 Weeks |
| Breeding Season | All Year When Living Inside Buildings |
| Home Range Inside Building Varies | 6-30ft/2-10m |
| Lifespan | 1-2 Years |
One female can have 60 offspring in her life. Before her life is over her offspring can have 270 offspring. That’s 330 offspring, from one mouse!
Do You Have a Rodent Infestation in Your Arizona Home?
Finding Nests and Their Hidden Locations
A rodent’s nest provides a place for resting, birthing, rearing the young, grooming off dirt and ectoparasites, as well as protection from the elements, predators, and other aggressive rodents. Having a nest in a good location is necessary for survival for a mouse. The female mouse spends much time and energy collecting nesting materials and constructing nests. Nest-building activity in the female is especially pronounced just prior to her giving birth and prior to the onset of cold weather.
Because of its small size, the house mouse can nest in many different structural nooks and crannies inside buildings potentially doing extensive damage to structures, as well as within many different types of stationary items and objects. In this regard, the mouse has an advantage over the larger common pests. Mice have been discovered nesting within the shell of a hollowed-out hard roll inside of bakeries (after first consuming the bread).
Local Pest Control Company
As rodents prefer a warm climate, they tend to create their nests in comfortable areas close to food and water within buildings. For example, mice are often found nesting in the voids of stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Or they nest in the bases of cabinets or wall voids near these appliances. These are important points to keep in mind during the initial inspections.
Nests are commonly established within the walls of buildings or commercial coolers and freezers. If needed, the mouse will line the nest with materials that provide bedding and insulation from the cold using paper, cardboard, plastic, fabric, and any other material the mouse can readily find. Depending on the amount of space and nesting materials, nests may be elaborate in form, such as a ball that encompasses the mouse, or can be made of a skimpy platform with a few pieces.
Peace of Mind is a Phone Call Away
When controlling mice, we utilize an integrated pest management approach. The environment, the sanitation, the harborage, and the access are all critical elements to control for long-lasting results. Placement of traps or stations should be done in all areas of known activity. The rodent control devices must be placed correctly to be effective. Often control trap installation requires access so some appliances or storage items may need to be moved.
Getting Rid of Rodents with Pest Control Services
T-Rex Tension Traps Inside Protecta Evo® or Tin Cat®
To be proactive, exterior control systems can be installed. The stations or traps can be located in a manner that will prevent mice from ever infesting a property. All stations must be anchored, secured shut and maintained on a regular basis. Control methods and devices can consist of baiting, tension traps, curiosity traps, glue boards, or a combination of them.
Catch Master® Glue Boards
Mechanical exclusion can also help prevent mice infestations. Mice can enter a home through any opening, even as small as the size of a dime! The cracks or holes that could be potential entry points should be located and sealed with a sturdy material.
Your Search for Rodent Control Near Me is Over
When doing rodent control services, one of our professional exterminators will install any needed control devices and provide a plan to follow up with pest control treatments and preventative measures as needed. We can also provide you with a written proposal to address any needed mechanical exclusion work.
When you have a pest problem, look no further than Anteater Exterminating for rodent control in Mesa, AZ. Call or contact us today to schedule a comprehensive inspection.
Frequently Asked Rodent Control Questions
1. Exclusion: Seal all entry points using materials like copper wool for small gaps and sturdy materials for larger openings. Focus on areas around pipes, vents, doors, and windows.
2. Sanitation: Keep your home clean and free of clutter both inside and outside. Store food in airtight containers, including pet food, and regularly dispose of garbage in tightly sealed bins.
3. Elimination: Use traps strategically placed along rodent pathways. Snap traps are effective for capturing mice quickly, while humane traps can be used for relocation.
4. Professional Extermination: Seek help from local pest control experts who can conduct thorough inspections, use specialized treatments, and provide ongoing monitoring to ensure the infestation is completely eradicated.
Combining these methods ensures a comprehensive approach to rodent control, addressing both current infestations and preventing future ones.
1. Identify Entry Points: Seal all possible entry points into your home using materials that rodents cannot chew through, such as copper wool or steel mesh.
2. Set Traps: Place snap traps baited with peanut butter or other attractants along walls and in areas where rodents are active. Check traps daily and reset as needed.
3. Remove Food Sources: Store food in airtight containers, clean up spills promptly, and secure garbage in tightly sealed bins to eliminate food attractants.
4. Sanitize: Clean areas where rodents have been active to remove traces of urine, feces, and nesting materials, as these can attract more rodents.
5. Seek Professional Help: If the infestation persists or is severe, contact a professional pest control service for effective and safe extermination methods.
Acting swiftly and systematically will help ensure rodents are removed from your home as quickly as possible.
Hantavirus: Spread through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva, causing flu-like symptoms that can progress to severe respiratory problems.
Leptospirosis: Contracted from exposure to water or soil contaminated with rodent urine, leading to symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and potentially liver or kidney damage.
Salmonella: Caused by consuming food or water contaminated with rodent feces, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM): Transmitted through contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials, causing flu-like symptoms and potentially severe neurological complications.
Plague: Though rare, rodents can carry fleas that transmit plague bacteria to humans, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.
To prevent these health risks, it’s crucial to address rodent infestations promptly with effective control measures and, if necessary, seek professional assistance for thorough extermination and cleanup.