Beware of Mice Lifespan and Reproduction Cycles

When mice get into homes, it can be a big problem. The rodents carry disease, contaminate food, leave feces droppings behind, and may cause significant damage to property. Failing to respond to a mouse problem can lead to a large population of them in the house, multiplying the potential problems.

The Average Mouse Lifespan

Mice live an average lifespan of 12 – 18 months, with factors such as the presence of food, predators, and shelter access impacting the exact length of time. House mice can often avoid predators such as snakes and rats, giving them a slightly longer lifespan than mice in their natural habitat. House mice average a lifespan of about two years.

 

Signs of a Mouse Infestation

Suspect a mouse problem? Do not ignore the signs or hope the mice die off on their own. A singular mouse or maybe two or three might sound tolerable but in reality, could be the start of a major infestation.

Mice breed and multiply rapidly. In as little as a few weeks, those two mice could mate and bring offspring into the home.

Signs of a mouse infestation include:

• Rodent sightings
• Mouse droppings
• Chewed/gnawed cords/plastic/furniture
• Chewed food
• An unusual, musky odor

 

Female Mouse Reproductive Habits

Over her lifetime, a single female mouse will lay 80 to 90 offspring.  She becomes pregnant 5 to 10 times during a single year, each delivery yielding three to 10 pups.  Pups begin to reproduce around six weeks of age.

Theoretically, two mice can yield as many as 60 pups each year.  Up to 30 of those pups are females who begin reproducing in a matter of weeks. This can lead to as many as 5,082 mice inside your home in just one year!

Imagine the type of problem on your hands when numerous mice infest the house!

 

What to do if You Suspect a Mouse Problem

Call Southern Pride Pest Control for a no-obligation pest inspection before matters get out of hand if you suspect that a mouse is in the house. We have the right solution for small and large pest infestations.

Southern Pride Pest Control is a full-service pest control company headquartered in Muscle Shoals, AL. SPPC specializes in pest control and prevention services including termite control, rodent control, bed bug control, ant control, mosquito control, and can even help with moisture control around your residence or commercial property. Established in 2010, Southern Pride Pest Control is a reliable source for quality pest-management solutions delivered by a team you can trust. 

Call us today for any of your pest control needs.