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Pest Index

House Mouse

Mouse (House Mouse)

Binomial Name:  Mus musculusSmall mouse isolated on a white background

Identification:

  • Weight: 12-30g
  • Overall Length:  175mm including tail
  • Colour: Brownish grey with a grey abdomen

Life Cycle: The House mouse reaches maturity near 6 weeks and has a life span of about 1 year.  Within her lifetime, a female may bear as many as 8 litters of 5 or 6 young.

Behaviour: The House mouse may summer outside, however, during the winter months it prefers to seek shelter in buildings.  For nesting sites, they use the space between double walls, floor joists, concealed and enclosed spaces.  In its search for food, the House mouse travels a range of a 12 metre circle.  It can jump a vertical distance of up to 30cm, can pass through holes up to 12mm in diameter, and climb wall studs or other vertical surfaces.

Signs of Infestation: Droppings are rod or spindle-shaped and 6mm in length.  Look for live mice, droppings and gnawing.