Last updated: January 2016 Site Created by: Andre Chagljevich
The house mouse is the number one rodent pest in Toronto and the GTA. The house mouse has a keen sense of touch, smell, and hearing. They can run, climb, jump and swim very well. The house mouse is considered one of the major structural pests, causing serious economic loss, health hazards and an unsanitary environment. The house mouse is dusty grey in color and measures from 110 to 150 mm in length with large ears and small eyes. The tail is usually the same length as the mouse.
Mice multiply rapidly, particularly when living conditions are ideal (plenty of food and shelter). The female mouse produces between 4 and 7 pups per litter following a gestation period of about 19 days. Female mice can produce about 8 litters in her lifetime, capable of giving birth to a litter every 24-28 days. The lifespan of a house mouse is about one year.
Mice are capable of spending their entire lives outside living in fields and green space. When food sources become scarce or the weather turns colder, mice will often move into buildings, both residential and commercial. In buildings, mice will readily nest in walls and attics using the insulation for nesting material; they may also nest in closets, storage boxes and large appliances (e.g. base of the stove).
Within structures, house mice can be controlled effectively
by using anticoagulant baits placed in tamper resistant containers.
Snap traps, glue traps may also be used to knockdown the population.
All entry holes should be sealed. Target Pest Control technicians are trained to identify potential
entry points and conditions which may have led to the mice
infestation as well as eliminating the mice already inside
your home or business.