Identification
Three clues give it away: a pointed snout, large rounded ears and a scaly tail as long as the head and body. Its fur is light brown to greyish brown, with a white or buff belly.
Very fast reproduction
A female can have 5 to 10 litters a year, of 3 to 14 young (most often 5 or 6). Gestation lasts 18 to 21 days and sexual maturity is reached at 5 to 7 weeks.
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APointed snout
Long whiskers (vibrissae) that sense surfaces and air movements.
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BLarge ears
Large, sparsely haired ears; hearing is very keen.
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CScaly tail
Nearly hairless tail marked with rings of scales, about as long as the head and body (5 to 10.5 cm).
Female
Main breeder. Mostly active at night; mice rarely venture more than 9 m from their nest.
Male
The dominant male defends a territory that he shares with several females and their young.
Life cycle
LIVE BIRTH · 3 STAGES · 18 TO 21 DAYS OF GESTATIONBorn blind and hairless, 3 to 14 per litter (most often 5 or 6). Weaned at about 3 weeks.
Sexual maturity at 5 to 7 weeks.
Lifespan of about 1 year in the wild (rarely more than 18 months), often 2 years or more in captivity.
Do not confuse with
Mouse vs rat
Norway rat
Much bigger and heavier (140 to 500 g), blunt snout, capsule-shaped droppings about 1.2 to 2 cm long.
Shrew
Small, with a long pointed snout, feeds mainly on insects; it is not a rodent.
Signs of activity
Telltale droppings
Small spindle-shaped droppings, pointed at both ends, 3 to 6 mm long, scattered along travel routes.
Gnaw marks
Tooth marks on packaging, wood and electrical wires.
Musky odour
A musky odour, linked in particular to urine, is mostly noticeable in a large or long-standing infestation.
Mice are mostly nocturnal, but some are active during the day in homes.
Treatment
Snap traps
- Several pairs Wooden snap traps Mechanical capture
- Place at a right angle to the wall, with the baited end against the wall. Bait with peanut butter.
A mouse can squeeze through an opening of about 6 mm. Seal with steel wool covered with caulking before any treatment.
Set several traps at the same time, ideally in pairs, 1.5 to 3 m apart along travel routes.
Loose poisons are dangerous for children and pets. Choose secure bait stations or mechanical traps.
Locating the nest
Follow the visible clues
Clusters of droppings show the usual runways. Trace them back to the source.
Prevention
- Seal all entry points
Seal around pipes and cracks with steel wool, caulking or cement, and install metal weatherstripping under doors.
ZONE 1 - Store food in airtight containers
Use glass or metal containers with tight-fitting lids. Mice can chew through cardboard and thin plastic.
ZONE 2 - Eliminate water sources
Fix leaky faucets and sweating pipes. Mice get most of their water from their food, but readily drink when they find it.
ZONE 2 - Reduce hiding places
Declutter garages and basements. Store boxes on shelves rather than directly on the floor.
ZONE 3
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have mice?
Small droppings pointed at both ends, scratching noises at night, chewed packaging and urine stains or odour are common signs.
Are mice dangerous?
They contaminate food, can transmit pathogens and gnaw on electrical wires (fire risk).
How do they get in?
Through openings as small as a coin: around pipes, under doors, foundation cracks.
How do I get rid of them?
Seal entry points and combine trapping with baits in secure stations. An exterminator can also take care of exclusion and follow-up. For help suited to your situation, you can check out our mouse extermination service.