What Type Of Mouse Infestation Are You Dealing With?

The signs that you have a mouse infestation problem can, in a lot of cases, be quite obvious however, do you know how to figure out which type of mouse has taken over your property? Different breeds of mice have varying habits so in this blog we are going to be discussing the different species of pest mice and their behaviour so you can not only diagnose a mouse infestation but you will also be able to know which breed of mouse has begun to make themselves at home.

The Field Mouse (Wood Mouse)

A field mouse is very unlikely to venture in to a busy, inhabited building and will sought out quieter environments. In the winter months they are most likely to take shelter in outhouses and sheds where they are looking for food such as fruit and vegetables. Field mice tend to pose a bigger threat to businesses, especially those in the farming and agriculture industry.

Behaviour

The average life span of a field mouse is on average two to three months however they are able to survive up to 20 months in the wild and can live up to two years or more when in captivity. Their main source of food is usually seed crops from trees, apples and small snails and insects which can be a particularly important food source within the late spring and early summer months.

Appearance

The head and body of an adult field mouse can range from 80mm to 100mm in length and then an extra 70-90mm for the tail. The female field mouse weighs in at about 20g with the male being slightly heavier at 25g.

The fur on the back and the head of a field mouse is a sandy/orange brown colour with faint yellow fur on the flanks, a white stomach and normally a small streak of yellow on the chest.

Yellow Necked Field Mouse

The yellow necked field mouse tends to be more of a threat within rural areas and, unlike their cousins the field mouse, they won’t hesitate to enter your home. These mice can end up becoming a fire risk as they are known to be partial to chewing through electric cables and wiring.

Behaviour

Yellow necked field mice breed at any time between March and October and the young are fully weened by the time they are 18 days old. Yellow necked field mice will start to breed around a year after they are born however a lot of this species of mice don’t tend to survive much longer than 12 months. Yellow necked field mice will spoil and consume stored food and interfere with your electrical wiring and are partial to woodland areas and habitats including hedge backs and gardens.

Appearance

The yellow necked field mouse can measure up to 95 to 120 mm in length and an extra 75-110mm for the tail and can range in weight from 14g to 45g. Yellow necked field mice have brown fur on their backs, white fur on their stomach and, as the name suggests, a distinctive yellow band of fur around the neck. They also have large ears, protruding eyes and a long tail.

House Mouse

It is popular belief that house mice are only a problem in winter however, they actually pose a threat all year round which means you could find them in your property at any time of the year.

Behaviour

A house mouse usually lives and burrows on the ground but has the ability to climb easily, meaning they can access higher surfaces if they need to without hesitation. The preferred diet of a house mouse is cereal and they will eat around 3g of food a day without the need for any additional fluids unless they have a particularly dry diet in which case they will drink about 3ml of water per day.

Appearance

The house mouse has a body that is 7cm to 9.5cm in length and a tail that is around the same size and can weigh anywhere from 12g to 30g. A house mouse is pretty easy to distinguish with their small feet and head and their large eyes and ears.

Now that you are able to identify the type of mouse infestation you are dealing with us make sure you give us here a call at Contego regarding our professional and effective pest control services.