Do mice cause damage?
Yes. Mice cause extensive damage to houses, granaries, restaurants, bakeries, any place food is handled or stored. They will gnaw through wood to gain entrance into buildings. In constructing their nests, mice will destroy fabrics and leather goods and can cause fires by chewing through the insulation on electrical wires.

Are mice hazardous to humans?
Yes. Mice contaminate food with their droppings and urine. They spread such diseases as salmonella bacteria (food poisoning), lepospirae (jaundice) and typhus. As well, they carry parasites such as fleas, round worms and mites. Deer mice are known to transmit Hantavirus, a virus that effects the respiratory system of humans.

When are mice most common?
Mice are year-round pests. Activity and indoor migration increases as weather gets cooler.

When am I most likely to see mice?
Mice become active primarily during the evening and remain so until the middle of the night. If food is scarce or the infestation is large, they will be active during daylight hours.

Where do mice build nests?
Mice nest in any safe location close to food, preferring the spaces in double walls, above ceilings and floors and closed-in areas around counters. Noises made by their running, gnawing and scratching will provide clues to their actual location.

How can I tell it I have an infestation of mice?
There are several ways that mice make their presence known. Mouse droppings near available food is the most common indication. Gnawed holes in bags and boxes containing food or garbage is also a sign of mouse activity.

What are their breeding habits? Do mice multiply quickly?
The average lifespan of a mouse is 12 months. The young are born about 19 days after breeding and mature rapidly. A single female may have as many as eight litters per year, averaging five to six young each. By three months the young are independent and capable of reproduction.

Do mice die off in cold months?
No. Mice can survive outdoors during the winter under certain conditions, but generally invade buildings when the weather turns cold.

What can I do to prevent an infestation of mice?
Since the contributing factor to a mouse infestation is the presence of food, good housekeeping is essential. This includes the proper storage of foods in sealed jars or tins. In addition all refuse should be stored in containers with tight fitting lids. Seal all openings to the outside. especially around doors and windows.

If I have an infestation of mice, what can I do to eliminate them?
Your local Kitsap Pest Control office has products developed for the control of pests such as mice. Depending on the severity of the infestation a single control measure may not be effective and an integrated program conducted by an Kitsap Pest Control Service Technician will be required.