House Mice

What are house mice?

House mice are small rodents with adults ranging in size from 5 ½ to 7 inches long from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail. Gray, brown, or black fur covers their bodies, and their belly is a lighter tannish color. They have large ears and a long skinny tail covered in a light layer of velvety fur. All rodents in Central Washington, including house mice, have continuously growing front incisors. To prevent their teeth from overgrowing, they constantly gnaw on objects they come across, making them a very destructive pest. 

Why do I have a problem with house mice?

As their name suggests, house mice are common invaders of homes and other structures. As our habitats have overlapped, mice have come to rely on us for some of their food, water, and shelter needs. People with properties close to wooded areas or fields and parks are at a greater risk of these rodents finding their way onto their properties. However, any yard can become a place where house mice forage for water and shelter.

House mice are attracted to the food sources our yards provide such as open trash containers, gardens, compost piles, and bird feeders. Once comfortable in your yard, they will soon find their way into your house through cracks in the foundation or exterior walls as they forage for sources of food and shelter. 

Where do house mice nest?

House mice do like to live inside homes and other structures; however, they also successfully live outdoors as well. Outside, house mice create their nests under woodpiles, in areas of dense vegetation, or in tall grass. They also nest in tree hollows and tree stumps.

Are house mice dangerous?

House mice can be dangerous to any home they invade. They contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva and excrement. They also spread diseases that cause serious health risks for people, including hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella. 

In addition to the health risks they create, house mice are extremely damaging pests. Their chewing habits cause a lot of destruction inside homes, including triggering fires and causing electrical shorts and water damage. Mice chew through structural elements of a home such as wires, pipes, drywall, insulation, floors, and walls. They also cause damage to personal items like clothing, furniture, books, and pictures.

How do I get rid of house mice?

For homeowners looking to get rid of house mice from their home or property, contact Prosite, we specialize in rodent control! At Prosite, we offer comprehensive pest control services that include a thorough inspection.

We begin by conducting a thorough inspection to identify the rodents on your property accurately. We then will locate entry points and determine what conditions in or around your structure are attracting house mice. Upon completing our inspection, we’ll discuss our findings with you and recommend a treatment plan to get rid of the mice.

If you’re interested in learning more about our rodent control services in Ellensburg and Central Washington, please contact Prosite today.

How do I prevent problems with house mice?

At Prosite, we recommend implementing the following rodent prevention tips to keep destructive house mice out of your Washington home:

• Seal up cracks and crevices in your foundation, exterior walls, and spaces found around utilities (pipes, wire, and ducts).
• Trim tree branches away from the exterior of your home.
• Cut shrubbery away from your exterior.
• Keep grass cut short.
• Harvest fruit trees and gardens regularly.
• Keep tight-fitting lids on trashcans and compost bins.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard.
• Store any leftover food in the refrigerator or air-tight containers.
• Remove trash from your home daily.
• Vacuum your home’s floors often.
• Keep storage areas like basements and closets free of clutter and debris.