What kind of mice do I have in my house?

There are three species of mice that are found in our Billerica MA homes (house mice, white-footed mice and deer mice), but house mice are the most common. The white-footed mouse in eastern North America is the most popular host for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and the ticks that transmit it. This species is similar to the deer mouse. Like the deer mouse, it may carry Hantaviruses, which cause severe illness in humans. It has also been found to be a reservoir for the Lyme disease causing spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. In comparison to the house mice, white-footed and deer mice have larger eyes and ears. They are considered by most people to be more “attractive” than house mice, and they do not have the characteristic mousy odor of house mice. All three of these species of mice cause similar problems in Billerica MA and require similar solutions.

Are there Mice in the House?

Mice are the most common rodents found within structures in Billerica MA, particularly in the fall and winter. The most obvious indicators of their presence are droppings (1/8 to 1/4 inch long, dark and pointed at both ends).

You may hear sounds of them running, gnawing or squeaking. Also, you might see damage to stored food or see nesting materials. Don’t be surprised if your pets paw at walls and cabinets where mice are hiding. Cats will stare at walls for extended periods when they hear rodents moving within. You may find mouse droppings in various areas of your kitchen cabinets or under the counter. Look for dried urine in pots and pans. Watch for mice droppings in storage areas like garages and basements, especially along the wall edges in the corners. You might not see the mice, but you can probably hear them after dark, as mice are often more active at night. Nests are usually made of materials like bits of cloth or shredded paper. You can check for mouse tracks by dusting suspected areas with a light coating of unscented talcum powder or mason’s chalk dust. Wait a day and then shine a flashlight across the area. If you notice small tracks in the powder, then you’ll know that mice have been there.

House Mouse Damage

White Footed & Deer Mice – Damage Identification

The principal problem caused by white-footed and deer mice is their tendency to enter homes, sheds, garages and other structures that are not rodent-proof. Here they build nests, store food, and can cause considerable damage to upholstered furniture, mattresses, clothing, car interiors, paper, or other materials that they find suitable for their nest-building activities. Nests, droppings, and other signs left by these mice are similar to those of house mice. White-footed and deer mice have a greater tendency to cache food supplies, such as acorns, seeds, or nuts, than do house mice. White-footed and deer mice are common in suburban residential areas where there is considerable open space (fields, parks) nearby.
In mid-1993, the deer mouse was first implicated as a potential reservoir of a type of hantavirus responsible for an adult respiratory distress syndrome, leading to several deaths in the Four Corners area of the United States. Subsequent isolation of the virus thought responsible for this illness have been made from several Western states. The source of the disease is thought to be through human contact with urine, feces, or saliva from infected rodents.

Cleaning Mouse Droppings

When cleaning areas previously used by mice, take precautions to reduce exposure to dust, their excreta, and carcasses of dead mice. Where deer mice or related species may be reservoirs of hantaviruses, the area should be disinfected by spraying it thoroughly with a disinfectant or a solution of diluted household bleach prior to beginning any sweeping, vacuuming, or handling of surfaces or materials with which mice have had contact. Use appropriate protective clothing, including vinyl or latex gloves. Contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hotline for current recommendations when handling rodents or cleaning areas previously infested.

Ineffective Mouse Pest Control Techniques

Frightening Devices

There are no methods known for successfully keeping white-footed or deer mice out of structures by means of sound. House mice will get accustomed to the sound or just move over into an adjacent wall. Ultrasonic devices that are commercially sold and advertised for rodent control and other pests have not proven to give satisfactory control.

Repellents like Moth Balls

Moth balls or flakes (naphthalene) may effectively repel mice from closed areas where a sufficient concentration of the chemical can be attained in the air. Moth balls are not registered for mouse pest control and will leave your Billerica MA home with a foul smelling odor for years.

Rat Control in Billerica MA

Common Norway Rat

The rats found in Billerica Massachusetts are called brown rats, street rats, sewer rats, Norway rats, or wharf rats, but they’re all the same species of rat (Rattus norvegicus). They’re most commonly called just rats or Norway rats. The Norway rat has a body length up to 10 inches long, and a similar tail length; the male weighs on average 12 oz. and the female 9 oz. Brown rats in New England have originated from northern China, not Norway. This rodent is the dominant rat in Europe and much of North America. In addition to being a major nuisance pest, the brown rat can transmit certain diseases to people and animals, and can damage or contaminate large quantities of food products and crops.

Norway Rat Description

The fur is coarse and usually brown or dark grey, while the underparts are lighter grey or brown. The body length can be up to 10 inches, with the tail being another 10 inches. Adult body weight averages 19 oz. in males and about 12 oz in females, but a very large brown rat can reach 32 oz. Rats weighing over 32 oz. are rare and stories of rats as big as cats are just exaggerations, or misidentifications of other rodents, such as the much larger muskrat.

Note: To tell the difference between a very young rat, or an adult mouse, simply check out the length of the tail. The rat will have a much longer, thicker tail.

Rat Biology and Behavior

The Norway rat is extremely adaptable and once indoors in our Billerica MA homes can nest in wall or ceiling void, crawlspaces, attics, or inside furniture or other stored items. A young rat can gain entry to a building through an opening only slightly larger than 1/2-inch. Brown rats can travel along pipes or conduits, climb brick or rough walls, and can gnaw through various building materials including cement block. They sometimes enter buildings by traveling and swimming through sewer lines. They have been known to come straight up into our homes through the bathroom toilet. The brown rat is nocturnal and is a good swimmer, both on the surface and underwater. Brown rats live in large, hierarchical groups, either in burrows or subsurface places, such as sewers and cellars. Rats are known to burrow extensively. Rats generally begin a new burrow adjacent to an object or structure, as this provides a roof for the section of the burrow nearest to the ground’s surface. Thus, our cement foundations make good locations for them.

Norway Rat Diet

The brown rat is a true omnivore and will consume almost anything. There teeth are very hard and grow continuously, so they are constantly chewing on objects to keep their teeth from growing to long. They can chew through almost all food packaging containers.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The brown rat can breed throughout the year if conditions are suitable, with a female producing up to five litters a year. The gestation period is about 21 days, and litters can number up to 14, although seven is most common. They reach sexual maturity in about five weeks. Their normal lifespan is one to 2 years in Billerica MA, but they can live up to 3 years.

Rat Control & Rat Extermination

Rat control in Billerica MA usually requires multiple strategies; baiting, sometimes trapping and rat-proofing to keep them out. For guaranteed rat extermination call our experts today at Security Pest Elimination.