White-footed mice are small rodents that are capable not only of causing significant damage to buildings, but also of contaminating food and transmitting diseases. Newtown-area homes and businesses should look to professional pest control to deal with matters involving the white-footed mouse.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LOOK LIKE?
The white-footed mouse is often mistaken for a deer mouse due to their similar appearance. Both species have a brown or grayish back and a lighter colored underside. However, the deer mouse tends to have more distinct color variations between its back and belly. White-footed mice are still lighter colored on their bellies, feet and the underside of their tail. They have large eyes and ears to help them navigate in the dark.
White-footed mice range from five-and-a-half inches to eight inches in length including their tail. The tail usually represents approximately one-third of that length. Most members of the species weigh in at less than one ounce.
WHAT DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE EAT?
Like other mouse species, white-footed mice are considered omnivorous. Their staple foods include items like berries, seeds and grains. Indoors, white-footed mice will eat fruits and certain vegetables.
White-footed mice also eat insects such as gypsy moths, which makes them important for controlling pests in the wild. Other insects frequently consumed by white-footed mice include caterpillars, grasshoppers, flies, snails and beetles.
WHERE DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE LIVE?
White-footed mice are abundant throughout North America, but they are especially pervasive on the eastern coast of the U.S. They prefer heavily wooded or brushy areas as these offer the most cover, which protects them from predators. However, the white-footed mouse has become the most numerous mammal in Pennsylvania because of its adaptability. This species can make a home for itself in virtually any habitat.
White-footed mice always hide their nests carefully. Old logs and tree stumps frequently are used in the wild. Members of the species may make use of nests that have been abandoned by other rodents or birds. The nest typically is lined with found objects that may include feathers, hair, fur, grasses and leaves. White-footed mice will collect fabrics, pillow batting and insulation fibers to line their nests. When a family establishes a nest in a human habitation, it generally is well concealed in a wall void, basement or attic. Kitchen cupboards, the space between major appliances and walls and pantries are other likely places to find a white-footed mouse nest.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY WHITE-FOOTED MICE
This species frequently damages mattresses and upholstered furniture by either nesting in it or taking materials from these items to line a nest elsewhere. Clothing may be similarly ravaged, and paper from books or documents may be subject to chewing or shredding. Outside human habitations, white-footed mice are known for digging up and eating newly planted seeds and bulbs.
The search for a good nesting site in a human habitation similarly causes extensive damage. These mice will gnaw through siding, insulation, floor boards and baseboards in an attempt to find a protected nesting site. Some members of the species have chewed on electrical wires, leading to destructive fires.
White-footed mice cause considerable damage in pantries and kitchen cupboards while seeking food sources. They are capable of gnawing through most types of packaging to get at the edible contents. This contaminates the food so that is must be thrown away.
ARE WHITE-FOOTED MICE AGGRESSIVE?
In general, white-footed mice are not aggressive toward humans unless they feel threatened. They avoid contact with humans whenever possible. As a nocturnal species, encounters with humans are relatively rare. This does not mean that a cornered or captured white-footed mouse is not capable of biting. If someone is bitten by a white-footed mouse, then they will require medical attention.
DO WHITE-FOOTED MICE CARRY DISEASE?
The main source of health concerns connected to white-footed mice is the transmission of Lyme disease. Like other rodents, white-footed mice carry specific bacteria that are responsible for the disease. Deer ticks bite the rodent, which transmits the bacteria to them. Then, the deer ticks bite humans or animals, possibly causing a case of Lyme disease.
On a less frequent basis, white-footed mice may be responsible for the spread of Hantavirus. Transmission of this illness occurs through the urine, saliva or droppings of an infected mouse. Simply inhaling the air where these waste products have been left may be enough to trigger an infection.
These serious illnesses require immediate medical attention.
HOW TO DETECT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
People may have a white-footed mice infestation when they notice these signs:
• Damage to furniture, mattresses and clothing • Gnaw marks on wood, sheetrock and siding • Digging in gardens, including uprooted plants • Droppings found on floors and counter tops and in cupboards and pantries
HOW TO PREVENT WHITE-FOOTED MICE
It may be possible to prevent a white-footed mouse infestation with these steps:
• Keep brush and excessive foliage well away from foundations and walls • Do not leave tree stumps close to human habitations • Seal all holes and cracks in the structure to prevent entry • Thoroughly clean kitchens and pantries on a regular basis • Only store food in containers with tight lids • Store food in metal or glass containers that mice cannot gnaw through
HOW TO TREAT FOR RODENTS
Successful rodent control typically involves a series of steps, including trapping, poison baits, along with proper species identification.
Those who suspect a rodent problem should contact Newtown Termite & Pest Control. Our experienced pest control professionals know how to inspect a structure to determine the type and scope of the infestation involved. They will then execute the appropriate plan of action to resolve the specific rodent issue plaguing your home or business while identifying entry points to help protect against future problems.
