Black Mouse
The black mouse varies in color. It is usually black, brown or grey on top with a belly that is light colored. There is no specific species categorized as black mice. These are the mice mostly found in homes. They range between 6cm to 9cm in length. When they invade your home they will nest in cabinets, walls and areas close to food sources.
Black mice are very destructive because they chew just about everything including plastic. Because of these behaviours, they are known to cause fires when they gnaw through plastic insulation of electric wires leaving them bare and ready to spark at the slightest touch.
While one may think that they look cute and adorable, the fact is they contaminate surfaces and food with their saliva, urine and droppings. This can transmit diseases like hantavirus and salmonellosis. If you have a large mice population in your home the risk of getting infected is high. These diseases are deadly.
They feed on anything
Mice can chew through wood, rubber, aluminum, drywall, insulation and even soft concrete. Grains are the natural food for mice and they will eat a box of cereal effortlessly. They will most likely make their nest in the pantry or kitchen because of proximity to food. Believe it or not, mice eat about 20 times a day.
The problem is that they will contaminate way more food than they consume leaving your and your family in danger of disease exposure.
Eating food contaminated by mice is sure to make you sick. Items of food that have been contaminated should put in your outside garbage immediately.
They are prolific breeders
With one female producing six to ten litters annually with an average of seven babies per litter it doesn’t take long to have major infestation.
How they get inside your home
Mice can fit in smaller spaces than seem impossible. Such places include doorways, windows, gaps around cracks in your outer walls and holes in the foundation are some key entry points. Others are chimneys and wherever utility wires and pipes are routed into your home.
It is most likely you have mice in the house if you find mouse poop or nesting material and hear scurrying noises at night. If you find chewed food packages, then chances are that you have mice.
Cleaning up mice urine and droppings should be taken with the utmost caution to avoid getting infected with the diseases they transmit.
Always wear protective gear when doing so such as latex gloves and a mask. The dust from sweeping and vacuuming releases bacteria. Breathing in this the dust will in time make you quite ill. The most effective way to go about it is to mix bleach and water then spray this on the affected area.
Give it five minutes to work its magic then wipe the area clean using paper towels. Dispose the paper towels in the garbage bin outside the house. The area should then be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly.
Ridding your home of mice
Use mouse traps. The regular wooden snap traps work very well. Place plenty of them around. Mix this with glue trap and bait traps for better results.
Mouse proof your house by sealing all potential entry points and clearing around your property of any clutter that might offer mice hiding places. The best solution though is to get a cat that enjoys hunting mice. It’s in their DNA to terrorize mice.
If this measures are ineffective it’s time to call a pest control professional in your area.
