Here’s Why Having a Mouse Problem Is Worse Than You Thought

When it comes to household pests, rats seem scarier to deal with than mice, right? They are larger than the usual mouse and tend to live in dirtier places. Compared to the rat (or other household pests that are hard to get rid of), mice seem pretty tame. But don’t let their smallness fool you—mice can be quite dangerous lurking around your house.

How Long Do Mice Live?

First, let’s talk lifespan. According to a study published by the UK government, a mouse only lives up to 9 to 12 months. In that lifespan, the mouse does get quite busy. After six weeks of living, a mouse is sexually active and ready to start producing young mice. In that short time span, a typical mouse will have 5-6 young mice up to 8 different times per year.

So that means if this small mouse is living in your home, she’s producing up to 40 to 48 little mice in 12 months time. Now consider the fact that these mice will also become sexually active, producing mice of their own. That, my friends, is a lot of mice.

Mice Are Good Climbers

Not only will you be dealing with hundreds of mice scurrying within your walls, but you’ll be dealing with a lot of mouse activity. Unlike rats, mice can climb well. This means finding mice on the top shelf of your pantry isn’t actually uncommon.

Plus, their droppings are scattered (unlike a rat, who tends to just go in one place), so if a mouse got in your food you should probably throw it away immediately. Who knows what’s in there!

Mice Carry Diseases

Lastly, mice can carry a myriad of diseases. According to the Center for Disease Control, mice can be found with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Leptospirosis, and Salmonellosis. If you’re dealing with house mice, the most common disease is Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM). Humans can easily contract LCM by breathing in the dust where a rodent urinated or dropped feces.

So if you’re having a mouse problem, you better face it ASAP. Here’s how to get rid of mice easily.