How Quickly Can Mice Reproduce Indoors?

There’s nothing we want to deal with less during the holiday season than a pest infestation in our homes. Here in Santa Fe NM, minimal levels of rainfall gives many of us better chances to avoid pest infestations driven by moisture buildup. However, this doesn’t exempt us from dealing with rodent issues. Mice are one of the most commonly seen winter pests in New Mexico—we take calls every year from people with mice running through their walls or nesting in their attic. What’s worse, if they do set up shop in your home undetected, their numbers can shoot through the roof. If you’re looking to learn more about mice and how to stop them, read on for advice from the New Mexico Pest Control team.

How Rapidly Can Mice Breed Indoors?

Mouse populations have the unique ability to grow exponentially in very short periods of time. Once they find a warm shelter to nest in, they can proliferate at alarming rates:

• Female mice give birth to a litter only 25 days after conception and are able to breed again right after.
• Mother mice can have anywhere from 3 to 14 pups per litter. They usually end up giving birth to 40-50 pups a year.
• Mouse pups are sexually mature after only 4-6 weeks of life.

As you can tell from these numbers, a mouse infestation of small proportions can quickly escalate to an out-of-hand situation.

Stopping Mice from Reproducing in your Home

To keep mice from breeding in your home, you have to keep them out in the first place. If they can find a way into a discreet hiding spot and build a nest, their numbers can grow in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, mouse-proofing your home is harder than you might think. With the ability to fit through holes the size of a dime, mice can find access points that you might not even notice. This is why we offer advice both for people who are looking for prevention help and who are already dealing with mice:

• Preventing a mouse infestation: To keep mice from getting inside your home, you have to inspect the exterior of your home for any gaps in the walls, foundation, roofing, plumbing fixtures, and more. You can seal gaps with silicone-based caulk or plug them with steel wool. Additionally, it helps to keep any plants in your yard trimmed, clear yard waste quickly, and distance your trash bins from your home.
• Getting rid of mice: If mice are already in your home and you know where they are, you can spray diluted apple cider vinegar or peppermint oil around them to drive them out. Kitty litter and fabric softener sheets work for some, but we believe that these are less effective and should be treated as supplemental. If you wish to resort to traps, talk to your local rodent exterminator to decide which method will be the safest for your situation.

Pro Mice Exterminators in Santa Fe NM

When your mouse prevention strategies fall short, you can always count on your local pest control company to step in. Our technicians at New Mexico Pest Control have an in-depth understanding of the habits and patterns of mice around Santa Fe. We can remove them from your house and keep them out for good. For a free quote or more information on our mice control services, contact our team today!