Biology:
The female house mouse reaches sexual maturity in 35 days and average eight litters per year, populations build up rapidly. They typically produce their largest litters in the spring, depending on climatic conditions and begin to breed at five to six weeks of age. The lifespan is one year.

Habits:
House mice are found throughout the United States. They are good climbers, jump 12 inches high, and can jump down from eight feet. House mice easily squeeze through holes and gaps wider than ¼-inch. They are very social in their behavior, very inquisitive about things in their environment, and readily explore anything new.
House mice prefer to nest in dark secluded area where there is little chance of disturbance, and in areas where nesting materials, such as paper, card board, attic insulation, cotton, etc., are readily available. Their foraging territories are small usually no more than 20 feet; however, if abundant food is nearby they nest within four to five feet. They nibble on food, preferring items such as seeds and cereals. They feed at dust and just before dawn.
The major health risks associated with house mice are salmonella contamination and leptospirosis.

Control:
During the inspection look for signs of activity, such as droppings and rub marks; however, marks left by house mice less noticeable than those produced by rats. Entry holes should be sealed with ¼-inch hard ware cloth, sheet metal, or metal wool, paying particular attention to any hole which approximates the diameter of a pencil. Pet foods and other food products should not be stored in accessible areas, such as garages, and water sources which also attract mice, should also be eliminated.
Within structures, house mice can be controlled effectively by using baited and un-baited snap traps and glue boards. Trap can be baited with nesting materials such as cotton, string, and dental floss, etc., or fruit, vegetables, and seeds. Their inquisitive nature makes them easy to trap; thus, periodically moving the traps increases success.
Several anticoagulant rodenticides are available as pellets, packets, and blocks. When baiting indoors, these products should be placed in tamper resistant bait stations and in areas which are inaccessible to children and pets. When water sources are limited, liquid anticoagulant baits are very affective but must be handled in the same way as dry baits. The attractiveness of liquid baits can be increased by formulating the rodenticide with a low concentration fruit juice. Tracking powders are also available which contain either an acute single-dose toxicant or anticoagulant active ingredients.