Identification
Three clues give it away: a pointed snout, large rounded ears, and a scaly tail as long as its body. Its coat is grey-brown on the back and paler underneath.
The Fastest Breeder in Your Home
A female can have 6 to 8 litters a year, each with 5 to 8 pups. A single mouse can become a hundred in less than six months.
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APointed snout
Long whiskers used to navigate in the dark
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BLarge ears
Well-developed hearing to detect predators
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CScaly tail
As long as the body, used for balance
Female
The primary breeder. Active at night, she explores a territory of 3 to 10 m around the nest.
Male
Defends its territory through urine marking. Cohabits with several females.
Life cycle
LIVE-BORNE · 3 STAGES · 3-WEEK GESTATIONBorn blind and hairless. Weaned at 3 weeks.
Reach sexual maturity at 6 weeks.
Live 1 to 2 years in a protected environment.
Mouse vs. Rat
Souris vs Rat
Norway rat
Much larger (20 to 28 cm), rounded snout, capsule-shaped droppings.
Shrew
Tiny, with a very pointed snout, insect-eating; it is not a rodent.
Signs of activity
Distinctive droppings
Small, spindle-shaped droppings 3 to 6 mm long, scattered along travel routes. Dozens can appear in a single night.
Gnaw marks
Tooth marks on packaging, electrical cables, and structural wood. The incisors leave parallel grooves.
Musky odour
Urine and gland secretions leave a strong, persistent odour in closets and behind appliances.
Mice are nocturnal. If you see one during the day, the colony is probably overcrowded.
Treatment
Snap Traps
- 2 to 4 Wooden snap traps Instant mechanical capture
- Place traps perpendicular to walls, with the trigger plate facing the wall. Bait with peanut butter.
A mouse can fit through a 6 mm gap. Seal openings with steel wool and caulking before any other treatment.
Set 6 to 10 traps at once. A mouse explores its territory every night.
Loose poison bait is dangerous for children and pets. Favour secured bait stations or mechanical traps instead.
Locating the Nest
Follow the visible clues
Follow the droppings. Clusters of droppings reveal the mouse's regular routes. Trace them back to the source.
Prevention
- Seal every entry point
Fill pipe gaps, cracks, and the space under doors with steel wool and cement.
Zone 1 - Store food in airtight containers
Use glass, metal, or rigid plastic. Ordinary plastic bags offer no resistance at all.
Zone 2 - Eliminate standing water
Fix leaks under the sink. Mice need access to free water.
Zone 2 - Reduce hiding spots
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?
Rice-shaped droppings, scratching sounds at night, chewed packaging, and a urine odour are common signs.
Are mice dangerous?
They contaminate food, can transmit pathogens, and gnaw on electrical wires, creating a fire risk.
How do they get in?
Through openings as small as a coin: around pipes, under doors, and through foundation cracks.
How do I get rid of them?
Seal entry points and combine trapping with baiting. An exterminator provides exclusion work and follow-up to prevent their return.