House Mice
Category: Rodents
Scientific Name: Mus musculus
Identification:
Color: Brown, gray, or black with light underside
Size: 2-4 inches long
Region: Found throughout the United States
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Important Considerations:
- A female house mouse can produce up to 35 babies each year.
- The droppings of these mice can be dangerous to humans. Diseases such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis and food poisoning can result from coming into contact with their droppings or urine.
- Mice can use any opening — including pipes, gaps under doors, or utility lines — to gain access to your home.
Where to Find Them on Your Property?
As their name suggests, house mice often live alongside humans in their homes. They build nests in dark, protected areas such as inside walls, crawl spaces, basements, or garages. They occasionally also live outside and can be found near shrubbery or fields.