Did you know that a single mouse typically reproduce 10 times per year? Just one pregnant mouse can quickly become an infestation with serious health repercussions. A buildup of mice waste can aggravate allergies and asthma. Mice can spread illness, including Hantavirus, Lassa fever and leptospirosis. Today A-Tex Pest Management would like to elaborate on the mice found in Texas, including house mice, deer mice, and white-footed mice.
Common Mice Found in Texas
House Mice: Primarily found in homes, as their name suggests, house mice are gray or light brown colored rodents that can rapidly breed in urban areas. With a lifespan of 1-2 these mice reproduce 7 to 10 times per year with a litter of up to 7 pups.
Deer Mice: Deer mice, sometimes referenced as field mice, are typically found in the woodland areas, with coloring much like the deer mice. Spread through the stool and urine of Deer mice, these mice are the main carriers of the Hantavirus, a potentially fatal respiratory disease. They are drawn to less populated areas like attics and basements when they are found indoors. There lifespan averages 2 years and reproduce 2-3 times a year and commonly have 3-5 pups a liter.
White-footed Mice: Like the deer mice, white-footed mice are country dwellers. With white underbellies and feet, they are light brown and primarily reside in wooded areas. During the cold months, however, they will seek shelter in homes whenever possible. These mice often cause trouble from the ticks that they host, resulting in spreading Lyme disease.
Depending on their stages of development, nests can hold between 12 to 24 mice, in general and they breed rapidly and will infest close to a food supply.
What Do Signs of a Mouse Infestation Look Like?
1) Mice typically do not go more than 100 feet from their nests, so if you see a mouse, chances are they are infesting nearby. Mouse footprints maybe visible in oily, dirty, floury, or other substances close to their nests or food supply. Gnaw marks on food packaging, electrical equipment or paper products indicate a mouse infestation.
2) For communication, breeding, and marking territory, mice urinate, creating a musty scent. The smell is overwhelming and difficult to neutralize unless the infestation has been eliminated.
3) Generally, mice or more active in the night where people dealing with an infestation report hearing the scratching behind drywall, in ceilings, attics, and underneath floorboards from their activities.
4) Mice leave black rice-like droppings that close to their nests, around food supply, and in their paths commonly travelled; and if disposed of improperly it can release the virus.
Rodent Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
If you suspect a mouse infestation, you need the professionals of A-Tex Pest Management, where our professionals will eliminate the rodent infestation and provide exclusion and sanitation suggestions to help prevent future outbreaks. Call us today to get started!
