The house mouse (mus musculus) is one of the most common pests throughout the entire world. It is believed to have originated in central Asia, but it is now found everywhere, including throughout all of Australia. As the name suggests, the house mouse is a commensal rodent, meaning that it lives in close proximity with humans. If you have ever had a mouse in your house, chances are good that it was mus musculus.
Identification
The house mouse has a pointed nose, large round ears, and a hairy long tail. Its body averages about 75 mm long, and the tail adds another 80 mm. This species of mouse is typically light to dark brown in the wild, but breeding for pets and lab experiments has produced many different colors ranging from white to black.
Habitat
The house mouse likes to live in shrubs, forests, fields, and nearly everywhere else. In many places, including the Brisbane area, the house mouse is often referred to as a “field mouse.” They mostly like to live and forage outdoors, but cold weather, rain, lack of food, etc. can drive them to enter buildings.
Signs of a House Mouse
Mice can live undetected in homes for weeks to months if you don’t know what to look for. Since they breed so rapidly, one or two mice can quickly become a full blown infestation. Some signs of a house mouse include:
- Strong musty odor
- Droppings (dark cylindrical feces with pointed ends, approximately 5mm long)
- Chew marks on wood furniture, boards, wires, insulation, etc.
- Scampering or screeching noises coming from the walls
Problems Caused by the House Mouse
Mice and other rodents are particularly troubling because they carry diseases that can affect humans. Diseases like leptospirosis, murine typhus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), bubonic plague, and more have been associated with them. Aside from transmitting disease, mice also eat and contaminate food, leave a foul smell from their urine, and can cause damage from their endless chewing. They will gnaw through many materials and can even put your home in danger of a fire because they chew through wiring.
Preventing House Mice
Prevention begins with making sure that your home is properly sealed on the outside. Holes, cracks, and crevices should be filled with caulking or expandable spray foam to prevent them from entering. It is also important to keep food properly stored so that you don’t attract mice. Keep lids on trash cans, sweep and vacuum regularly, remove garden waste promptly, and keep your home and yard clean and tidy.
Sunshine Coast Rodent Control
If you are having trouble with mice or other rodents, contact Radar Pest Control. We specialize in keeping our customers safe and pest free. For pest control in Buderim, pest control in Nambour, and everywhere in between, trust Radar Pest Control to get the job done right.