House Mouse

Mice can survive in confined spaces with very little food and shelter, so even in buildings with extremely good sanitation, most buildings in which food is handled, stored or used can support house mice if it is not mouse-proofed carefully. While good sanitation will rarely eliminate existing mice populations, poor sanitation will certainly attract and allow them to thrive and multiply. Improving sanitation can also make baits and traps more effective by reducing food and shelter for existing mice. Extra attention should be placed on places where mice can shelter, as fewer places to build nests and rear young will mean they cannot survive in large numbers.

The most effective approach to house mouse control is to eliminate all openings through which a mouse could enter a building. Places where food is stored, processed or used must be mouse-proofed, with all grain or meat products stored securely in glass jars, metal canisters or airtight containers.

Exclude mice by sealing any openings that are larger than 1/4 inch. Patching material must be smooth to prevent rodents from chewing through or pulling out the patching compound. Openings in building foundations or those for water pipes should be sealed with metal or concrete, as materials such as plastic sheeting, wood, or rubber are gnawable and are therefore unsuitable for plugging mice holes.