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Mice
The deer mouse is the most common carrier of Hantavirus which can be a deadly virus to humans. This illness targets the lungs. This "house mouse" is small, slender and weighs only about 0.4 to one ounce. It has a pointed snout, large ears with hair, and its fur is light brown to light gray and smooth.

Mice seldom travel more than 30 feet from their nest. A mouse often lives its life within a 20-foot radius of its nest. Unlike rats, mice remain in small independent colonies which must be controlled separately. Mice travel in three dimensions so a potential territory must be visualized as a three-dimensional sphere, with a 20-foot radius.

A mouse may live two years or more and can breed throughout the year. A female mouse gives birth to two to thirteen mice about 19 days after mating. In just two days she can mate again producing six to ten litters a year. Each of her young becomes sexually mature in two months. All of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren can breed in the same year.

Mice are curious and will investigate new items or changes in the environment. This curiosity can be used to trigger interest in traps or bait which is moved regularly.

Prevention of Mice or Rat Infestation
Clean thoroughly any spilled food, garbage, pet food or grain that might attract rodents.

Keep all garbage in tghtly-closed metal cans, and keep the cans and area around them clean. Make sure all outside doors, windows and vent fit snugly, with no gaps, and are kept closed. A mouse needs only a 3/8 inch crack or hole to get inside.

Seal up holes or cracks in the outside of buildings especially where wires, pipes, or other utility lines enter a building.

Keep plants and shrubs trimmed back at least 12 inches from the outer surface of buildings.

Control of Mice
Control of mice includes several methods.

Sanitation and mechanical alteration is the first step. Food, water and harborage must be eliminated. Trash and debris must be keep in tightly closed containers, and possible nesting materials out of reach.

Rodent-proofing a structure can be done by eliminating and sealing off all dead spaces, cracks, crevices and other openings. Fill void areas with concrete, or stuff with steel wool or copper mesh. Openings can be covered with sheet metal.

Mechanical traps (such as glue boards, snap traps, and live traps) and baits can be used, but only offer temporary control if the previous steps are not taken.

Anticoagulants are usually used in baits, causing the rodent to bleed to death internally. Therefore, care must be taken with certain baits around children or pets. Rodent control can also include an insecticide application to control fleas.

Rats
People hate and fear rats for good reasons: disease, rat bites, and destruction. Rodents and their parasites carry many disturbing diseases, including salmonellosis, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, rat bite fever, plague, bacterial food poisoning and others.The incidence of rat bites in U.S. cities is also alarming. In a New York City study of 1,143 reported rodent bites, more than 86% were caused by wild rats.

Like mice, the gnawing of rats destroys foundations, doors, moldings, insulation, plumbing, sewer lines, automobiles, garbage cans, and wiring. 5 to 25% of all fires of "undetermined origin" are believed to be caused by rats.

The Norway rat is large and robust, weighing about 7 to 18 ounces. It has a blunt snout, small ears covered with short hairs, brown shaggy fur and a belly that is gray to yellowish white in color. Rats have letter sizes of 6 to 12 young, however, up to 22 pups have been recorded. The gestation period ranges from 21 to 25 days, with a female typically producing three to six litters in her lifetime. Females may give birth every 24 to 28 days. Young rats become sexually mature at about three months, with most living six months to a year. Prevention Same as mice.