Mice come across as harmless, but not only can they cause damage to the home, they can spread dozens of diseases. On top of that, when they enter the home, a couple of mice can turn into a giant infestation over a period of a few months.
How fast do mice reproduce?
Mice are very good at breeding. A female will gestate for about 3 weeks, and it can get pregnant for up to 10 times a year, giving birth to as many as 14 pups each time, with an average litter size of eight pups. This means that, on average, you can expect anywhere from 32 to 56 pups per year from a single female. A female mouse is able to mate right after giving birth, so you could be looking at a new litter every 25 days, with a female reaching sexual maturity at six weeks. Theoretically, you could have two mice enter the home, and within one year, they would reach a population of 5,000 mice. Of course, numerous other factors come into play than just the raw mating capacity, but still, a mouse population can grow exponentially if the conditions are right.
What is the average lifespan of a mouse?
When outdoors, a mouse will live for about a year. However, once it sets up inside, a mouse can live for as many as three years. This is because indoors, a mouse has all the food, warmth and safety that it needs. So waiting for the mice to die out is not really a feasible solution if you have an infestation. Not only do the mice have a decent lifespan, they will also reproduce constantly and the only option you are left with is extermination.
What to do in case of an infestation?
There are plenty of products on the market that are designed for DIY use, but since mice reproduce so quickly, you have to remove an infestation completely, and you have to do it fast. If you don’t, then the infestation will simply outlive your efforts. This is why the best way to tackle a mouse infestation is with the help of a pro. A pro has the expertise and the tools needed to get the mice out of the home. Contact us today if you have a mouse infestation, or if you have any questions about the mouse control process.