House Mouse

Return to Pest Gallery House Mouse, Gray Mouse, Field Mouse

There are many mouse species in Georgia. Most people refer to any mouse as a House Mouse, although it could easily be a gray mouse, brown mouse or field mouse scampering through your home or business. A typical mouse is relatively small, with a scaly tail and a distinct notch in the cutting surface of upper incisors. They have a smooth coat of hair, with moderately large, naked ears, and measure approximately 3" long plus their tail. The most common types of mice in Georgia are:

  • House mouse
  • Deer mouse
  • Field mouse
  • Brown mouse
  • Black mouse

Although not native to North America the house mouse has become widespread throughout the United States. As with any type of rodent, mice carry bacteria, parasites, viruses and spread disease. In a home their presence is especially undesireable for the aforementiooned reasons, and other reasons such as the problems from fecal matter, food spoilage and bites. Additional dangers can be created when rodents such as mice chew the insulation from electrical wires (fire hazard) or die in wall cavaties and create horrible odors.

Although largely nocturnal, house mice are moderately active during the day as they search for food or seek nesting materials. Mice will eat almost any type of human food, and are a severe problem for food storage facilities, graineries, barns and any areas containing prepared foods, grains, fruits or water sources. Rodents not only consume these foods but also contaminate the entire source making it unfit for human consumption.

Mice are extrmely prolific breeders, producing as many as 13 litters in one year with each litter being about six mice. They develop rapidly; at the age of 3 weeks they are fully weaned and at the age of 4 weeks some of the young females are ready to assume family duties, although the average age of sexual maturity is about 35 days in females and 60 days in males. A few mice in a home can turn into hundreds of mice within a single year, which will greatly complicate the pest control process. It is highly recommended that whenever you find mice in your home, garage or business that you contact an Atlanta pest control company to get a thorough home inspection and rodent control service.

Using the traditional mouse trap is still effective to kill a single mouse, however there is no assurance that you are dealing with only a single mouse. Additionally, handling rodents is unsanitary and is not palatable for everyone. Commercial businesses, especially restaurants, cannot afford to have their customers see mouse traps scattered about their business. Our mouse control methods are discreet, safe and effective. Call us for more details, and to request and inspection or mouse control service.

People with rodent problems should visit the following links to learn about common rats in Georgia.