When it comes to small but impactful pests that have a significant presence in our customers’ homes, the house mouse takes the spotlight. Found on nearly every continent, these tiny rodents have been companions to humans for thousands of years.

The house mouse, scientifically known as Mus musculus, is a small mammal belonging to the rodent family. Originally native to the grasslands of Central Asia, they have successfully spread across the globe due to their remarkable adaptability and close association with humans.

House mice are relatively small, measuring around 2.5 to 4 inches in length and weighing between 0.5 to 1 ounce. They have a pointed snout, large ears, and a long, hairless tail. Their fur can vary in color, ranging from light brown to gray, and even black in some instances.

As the name suggests, house mice are commonly found in human dwellings, seeking warmth, shelter, and readily available food sources. They possess excellent climbing and jumping abilities, allowing them to access various parts of the house. House mice are primarily nocturnal creatures, preferring to explore and forage during the night. They are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat a wide range of foods with their diet consisting of grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

The house mouse has a rapid reproductive cycle with the females producing litters every three weeks, with each litter consisting of about five to eight pups. The average lifespan is around one year in the wild with some house mice surviving up to three years under favorable conditions.

The house mouse may be small, but it has left an indelible mark on people’s lives. From their close association with humans to their adaptability and unique behaviors, these tiny pests have found a way to coexist with people. Understanding their biology and behavior will you the pest management professional implement effective control measures for these pests.

Learn more about mice and other pest control related topics by signing up for the pest control industries only continuous training solution, Pest Posse Academy. This online training solution will provide you the fundamentals and principles of pest control that will you grow and succeed in the professional pest control industry.