House Mouse

House Mice in Santa Fe and Albuquerque NM

The house mouse is one of the most common pest problems. A house mouse infestation can be especially troublesome because these rodents reproduce at a rapid rate. House mice are generally found living in close association with humans and dependent upon the human habitat for shelter and food. House mice thrive throughout the year and can be found in homes, commercial buildings, open fields, and agricultural lands. They contaminate food meant for humans and pets as they forage, dropping feces and urine along the way. House mice cause considerable damage to structures by chewing through walls and transmit pathogens that cause diseases like salmonella, a form of food poisoning.

House Mouse Habitat

House mice can live both indoors and outdoors. When they are outside, they can be found in fields or near trees. Inside, mice will build nests in quiet undisturbed places like wall voids, kitchen cabinets, attics, and garages. Droppings, fresh gnaw marks, and tracks or rub marks indicate areas where mice are active. Nests are made from finely shredded paper or other fibrous material, usually in sheltered locations. If you have a house mouse problem, it’s very likely they will put off an unpleasant odor. Mice are active mostly at night, but they can be seen occasionally during daylight hours, especially during an infestation.

House Mouse Behaviors and Threats

The house mouse will feed on a number of things, but they prefer cereals and grains. House mice contaminate food and are implicated in the transmission of diseases such as salmonella and bubonic plague. The house mouse can cause significant damage to structures by gnawing and tunneling through walls. Mice have also been implicated in the generation of fires and explosions in homes and buildings. Chewed, exposed wires inside walls can spark, causing interior walls to catch fire.

As soon as you notice house mice in your property, contact your local rodent control company for help.