It wouldn’t be that wrong to say that mice are one of the most successful mammals on earth. The house mouse in particular is one of the most impactful rodent pests in the US, and despite the billions of dollars that are spent in getting rid of it, it survives and often thrives. Here are some of the reasons why:
Adaptability
One of the greatest strengths of the house mouse is its adaptability. A house mouse will adapt to many weather conditions and live comfortably across the globe – as long as it has access to humans. In fact, it is the most widespread species of mammals after the human being. You will find the house mouse on every single continent, from the coldest islands near Antarctica, to the jungles of the Caribbean, and the open tundra and dry desert. You will find them in deep underground mines, and on top of the highest peaks.
Small size
While the small size of the mouse may seem like a disadvantage at first, it actually allows it to enter buildings easily and scurry around in dark corners where it cannot be seen. It also allows it to nest in very small places, near abundant food and water sources. Not only that, whenever humans have to travel or ship cargo, the mouse can hop on board and reach new environments on far away lands.
Stealth
Mice have evolved a circadian rhythm opposite to that of humans – they are up all night while we sleep, and they sleep during the day. This allows them to act with impunity at night, quietly eating and building their nests when the danger is low. Their sneaky nature also allows them to set up a nest and reproduce many times before a homeowner becomes aware that there is an infestation.
Rapid reproduction
Speaking of reproduction, mice will produce a very large number of offspring each year – up to 60 per female to be exact. Not only that, but it only takes a few weeks for a mouse to reach sexual maturity. As long as the mice can find food and nesting materials, they can reproduce, and sometimes they will reproduce even if the conditions seem very unfavorable, like they would in a frozen meat locker.
Opportunistic feeding
While mice like to eat nuts and grains, they will take whatever they can get. They prefer food that is high in calories and protein, and they will switch from food source to food source as scarcity moves around in their environment. This makes the human home an ideal habitat for the mouse, because it can find a wide variety of foods to choose from, especially if the food is left out in the open.
The effectiveness of pest control
While mice may be a very resilient species, particular infestations are not, especially when they are faced with modern pest control. If you currently have a mouse infestation, contact us today and we will help you remove it from your home.