How fast do mice multiply

If you have ever dealt with a mouse infestation, you know how quickly they can multiply and the damage they are capable of.  These tiny creatures live right alongside us in our walls and under the floorboards and their reproductive capability makes it almost a certainty that by the time you see one, there are many others out of sight. Mice mature at 4 weeks old, which means they can start reproducing their own young at that age too.

How Often Do Mice Reproduce?

With a short gestation period of just about 21 days, one female mouse can give birth to 5-6 babies. A typical female mouse can birth between five and 10 litters per year. She can mate immediately after giving birth, meaning mice can birth a second litter in as little as 25 days after the first. Within another 6 to 7 weeks, that litter will reach maturity and have their own pups. Each mouse has an average of 15 litters a year and the average female mouse can be ready to produce offspring when she is just two months old, so the population is constantly growing exponentially. At this pace, a small mouse problem can quickly become a large problem.

There isn’t really a mating season when it comes to mice because they reproduce all year long. Unfortunately, mice are well-known breeding machines. During that time they will stay in their nests which are inside wall voids and insulation.

How long do mice live?

The average lifespan of a mouse is about 12 months/ one year in the outdoors, but mice can live up to 3 years if they have a safe spot indoors. Inside your home, the conditions are significantly safer, and they reproduce more and tend to have longer life spans. This is because indoors, mice aren’t exposed to harsh environments or natural predators.

To get rid of mice you can’t just hope that they will die off. They continue to breed, all the time. This means you have to constantly be in motion when getting rid of them.

Signs Of A Mice Infestation

By the time you are seeing mice themselves, there may already be an infestation. If you hear scratching noises, see signs of chewing, or smell anything out of the ordinary, it could be signs of mice. You will also begin to notice scratches or bite marks anywhere. Other signs include droppings, grease marks, urine pillars. Mice are nocturnal animals. So, it is possible that you may not see a mouse until they have spread throughout your house.

Why is a Mice Infestation Bad?

Mice carry and spread diseases and can contaminate your food and living space. Mice spread several different types of diseases as they travel around. This rodent can do a lot of damage to your home. Mice have been known to chew through soft concrete, gas lines, wires, wood, drywall, rubber, plastic pipes, insulation, and aluminum. Hantavirus, salmonella and LCMV (lymphocytic choriomeningitis) are all diseases that can be spread through mice feces and urine. Worst off, mice urine can dry and turn into the dust that we breathe in, causing even more potential disease.

What Can You Do About A Mice Infestation?

There are a lot of trap options you can use to help curb your rodent problem. Be careful to not vacuum or sweep the droppings of mice because it can release dangerous bacteria into the air. This can be inhaled and make you very sick as a result. Consider looking into bait traps, wood traps, or multiple–capture live traps. This gives you a better chance at catching all the mice too.

Mice can chew through paper or cardboard packages in your pantry. Store your food in metal or thick plastic containers with tight lids to keep mice out. If you spill food, clean it up right away. Wash your dishes as soon as possible after you eat a meal. Store your trash in a sturdy rodent-proof container, and frequently wash the container.

Call a professional

If you suspect that you have signs of mice in your home, it is important to have an expert inspect for rodents. Professional extermination is the only way you can guarantee that the critters are removed permanently. Competitive Pest Services has a number of options that can help eradicate the problem completely so you don’t have to deal with these unwanted guests anymore.