- return to Critters in the House -

	Mice

 

Mice
-by Dennis M. Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension Unit

A cold winter can result in more than the usual number of rodents moving into structures. House mice and field mice (deer mice, white-footed mice and voles) are among the indoor migrants.
House mice make up the majority of rodent infestations in homes. Field mice prefer to stay away from human habitats, but a severe winter may cause them to take refuge in occupied houses. Effective control involves: sanitation, mouse-proof exclusion, and mouse capture. The first are two prevention measures. When a mouse infestation already exists, some form of population reduction is almost always needed. Reduction is best achieved through trapping. Poison baits are not recommended; mice will die in unknown locations and the decaying bodies may cause odors , bacterial growth, and fly maggot infestations. Trapping techniques include snap traps, multiple-capture live traps and glue/sticky traps. House mice usually will not travel more than 15 foot once established so concentrate your trapping efforts to areas where infestation signs are noticed. Set traps behind objects and in dark corners near places where evidence has been seen. Place them close to walls, mice like to run along with their whiskers touching walls.
Mice can cause significant contamination inside structures. The average mouse leaves more than 70 fecal droppings per day and more than an ounce of urine in the same time period. Both field and house mice are sources of bacteria and diseases.
Preventing rodent infestations is the desired treatment, but this isn't always possible. Once the animals have been controlled and barred from the house, cleaning up soiled areas is extremely important. When you remove dead rodents or their droppings or nesting materials, always wear latex gloves and a dust mask. Avoid disturbing rodent droppings; never sweep or collect dry excrement. Be especially cautious when entering areas that have been vacated or closed up for a long time. Always use a moist cloth or mop to prevent bacterial spores and viruses in the air. This airborne contamination can sometimes result in diseases such as histoplasmosis or hantavirus. Rodents are the primary reservoir for all hantaviruses. People acquire infections most often by inhalation of airborne virus particles associated with rodent urine or feces. People don't transmit the virus to each other. The first symptoms of hantavirus, appearing two to three weeks after contact, are flu-like and include fever, muscle and body aches, chills, cough, headaches, nausea and/or vomiting.
In the past five years, the Nebraska Department of Health tested over 250 rodents (mostly deer mice) in this state for the virus. Only eight (4.1 percent) showed reactivity.
Collected contaminants should be placed in plastic bags, sealed and discarded with household garbage. Contaminated areas should be cleaned with a household disinfectant, such as chlorine bleach or ammonia. (Never mix cleaning products).
Any contaminated food items, including pet foods, and items such as paper dishes and napkins should be discarded