House mice (Latin name Mus domesticus) are well adapted to living within our homes, shops and factories. House mice will indeed very happily live and breed in our houses, garages, factories and any other place giving them extra protection from the cold, damp and wet. Our waterproof structures, especially cloches, garden sheds and similar shelters enable mice to have a free home and provide the necessities (and more!) that they require to prosper and multiply.
Mice only require adequate food (3 to 4 grams a day) a little water (house mice can get most of their liquid from their food) and freedom from cold and damp conditions. They are very used to living with humans and much appreciate the food scraps and crumbs left by people, the dry warm centrally heated houses and perhaps winning the war with Tom (cat). When house mice find an abundant source of food their numbers rapidly increase.
They are, however, a serious problem causing extensive damage to property as a result of their gnawing activities, and also by eating and contaminating food. Mice may carry a number of infectious diseases that can pose a risk to humans and animals. Where problems arise, it is important that mouse infestations are controlled.
Mice are highly agile and are able to squeeze through very tiny holes (a typical test for house mice access is to see if a simple pencil can enter the hole) if larger than this pencil then house mice will almost certainly enter. To keep house mice at bay we suggest the use of a mesh that covers any potential entrance hole.
House mice are extremely good climbers, and can climb walls, pipes, duct and cavities. A further problem is their very hard incisor teeth which can easily get through hard plastic, timber, and soft metals such as lead and aluminium. They can gnaw away electric cables and this can cause fires – they will even, over time, erode hard materials such as poor concrete.
House mice are a health hazard specifically house mice are carriers of diseases such as Salmonella (also found in poultry, eggs, unprocessed milk, meat and water). Salmonella attacks the stomach and intestines and, in more serious cases, can enter the lymph tracts and will attack all age groups and both sexes – it is a very serious infection.
Avoid using inhumane mice traps or glue traps – make a determined effort to prevent them entering our homes in the first place. This can be done by filling in all small holes and by covering air vents with MouseMesh.
