Surprising Mouse Facts | Mouse Control & Pest Control Experts

Surprising Mouse Facts

Many US homeowners will deal with a mouse infestation at one point or another. However, even though we might hate these pests, we still have to respect how capable they are at surviving and spreading across the globe. In this article, we’re going to cover some little known and very surprising mouse facts.

Mice infest tens of millions of homes across the US

To be exact, that number is 21 million homes for mice and other rodents. That’s a lot of homes. Rodents will usually infect a structure during the cold season, between October and February, and they are looking for shelter, water and food.

Mice eat A LOT

Despite its tiny size, a mouse will eat for up to 20 times a day. You can imagine that this ravenous appetite drives the mouse to find abundant food sources and nest as close as possible to them. It’s what makes humans and human settlements so appealing to these rodents, and it’s why they’ve been with us for thousands of years.

Mice are very agile

Mice are extremely good at swimming, climbing and jumping. Jumping in particular is one of their talents, with mice being able to jump up to one foot in the air. This gives them a lot of access to many areas of the home, including kitchen counters and pantries, where they forage for food. This is why it’s important to keep all your food in sealed containers. Otherwise it may get contaminated, even though the location seems safe.

Mice can also squeeze through very small holes that have the diameter of a dime. This allows them to find any crack or opening in the exterior of a building and gain access. Usually, they will find this type of opening where utility pipes enter the home. Make sure to caulk and seal any of these openings, or fill them up with steel wool.

Mice live very short lives

Mice generally live very short lives, especially out in the wild, where they’ll rarely live to be more than five months old. However, once they enter a home, their luck improves, and they can live up to a year. In a laboratory setting, they fare even better, reaching the ripe old age of two.

Mice reproduce very quickly

Mice reach the age of sexual maturity in a few weeks, and they can give birth to up to 60 mice per year per female. At this rate, an infestation can get out of hand really fast, which is why it’s important to take measures as soon as you witness the first sign of a mouse nest in your home.

If you have a mouse infestation, and you are having trouble with DIY methods, contact us today and we can help you get it under control.