If you don’t want to have mice in your home, it’s a good idea to know about different species so that you can make your house a less hospitable environment to prevent pests from entering in the first place. You may already know a good deal about common field mice, but you may have never heard of the white-footed mouse. Here’s what you need to know about this rodent so that you can actively prevent it from taking up residence in your home. Our pest control team in Oakville explains more about the White-Footed mouse behaviours and habits to help you better recognize them.
Where Do White-Footed Mice Live?
White-footed mice are common rodents that can be found throughout much of the United States, Canada and Mexico. They are most common in the northeastern United States, and their range moves westward and then south through Mexico. Interestingly, the rodents are not found west of the Sierra Madre, and they do not live in the southeastern United States below Virginia.
What Do They Look Like?
These rodents have fur that ranges from dull gray to chestnut brown. The defining feature is their white bellies and feet. They are usually small, but they have an interesting habit of drumming on services with their forepaws to make noise. Experts have not yet determined the cause of this behaviour.
Do They Invade Homes?
White-footed mice don’t make a habit out of infiltrating homes. They look for soft, cozy areas to build nests, so you can frequently find them in barns and outbuildings throughout their range. Because they prefer quiet environments, they sometimes seek out homes to build nests for their babies. A single female white-footed mouse can give birth to up to nine babies at a time, and she may have up to four litters per year, so having one mouse in your home can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation.
What Do They Eat?
White-footed mice are known to eat fungi, nuts, berries and seeds. They are omnivores that also often take advantage of easy sources of food left by humans.
What Are Their Mating Habits?
Male white-footed mice can range up to 12 miles during their lifetime, which is usually one year in the wild. The range usually brings them in contact with several females, and they breed with multiple females in a short range of time. It is actually common for white-footed mice of the same litter to have different fathers. The rodents usually breed throughout the spring and summer months, but in the parts of their range with a warm climate, they are known to breed year-round. A white-footed mouse can reach sexual maturity at 44 days old.
What Type of Habitat Do They Live In?
White-footed mice are versatile and can flourish in nearly any habitat. In their range in Mexico, they tend to frequent agricultural farmland. In the northeastern United States, they are commonly found in forests or urban areas. They can thrive in many different temperatures and habitats as long as they have access to food and water.
What Should You Do If You Have White-Footed Mice in Your Home?
Like any other rodent, white-footed mice multiply quickly. If you try to get rid of a family of mice by yourself and miss even a single creature, you may quickly end up back where you started. It is always best to trust an expert when you need mice removal. Truly Nolen has a team of technicians who specialize in rodent control and have the experience to remove all types of mice from your home quickly and efficiently.
Make an Appointment for Mice Removal
Whenever you need pest control in Oakville, Truly Nolen is ready to help. Our expert technicians provide an exceptional mice removal service so that you never have to worry about a full-blown infestation taking over your house. Contact us today to make an appointment to get rid of mice.