Rodents are a constant nuisance to home and business owners. They are commonly infesting buildings in an effort to escape extreme weather conditions and look for food and water if it becomes scarce. There are many different types of rodents found in Texas and today we at A Five Star Termite and Pest Control would like to shine the light on the white footed mouse that is frequently found on property grounds and buildings.
White Footed Mice Identification
With their tail making up about a third of their length, the white footed mice generally reach approximately five inches in length and almost one ounce in weight. Their coloring is white stomach and feet with varying colors on the rest of the fur from reddish brown to a light brown, where the tails and the top are usually a little bit darker. Preferring the warmth, white footed mice are generally found in dry forests and brush-lands in low to mid elevations. They can adapt and survive in higher elevation of semi-desert and forests, though they favor the lower elevations and with their keen senses and attributes can easily dwell in suburban and agricultural environments as well.
What Does the Nocturnal White Footed Mouse Eat?
White footed mice are generally solitary and territorial where they often overlap their range being primarily nocturnal. They are primarily active at night being prey animals and are constantly on high alert to avoid predators such as owls, hawks, falcons, red foxes, weasels, and snakes. These mice have a heightened sense of direction and can find their way within a two mile radius. Other quality attributes include being adept climbers and swimmers. White footed mice will eat a number of different things as they are omnivorous. Their common selections include fungi, grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, and insects as well as bark, stems, leaves, and flowers. When winter approaches, these mice will prepare in fall by collecting and storing a supply of seed and nuts.
Are White Footed Mice Harmful; Can They Transmit Diseases?
If white footed mice look for comfort in your home or business, they can pose a few threats. Spreading mostly through their feces, white footed mice carry bacteria that results in diseases. They are also a known carrier of ticks that can transmit Lyme diseases to humans. When they are in homes, not only can they be harmful to your health, but they gnaw through structure materials, electric wiring, and other utility lines as they forage for food and nesting materials, resulting in costly repairs. On the other hand, white footed mice can offer benefits if they stick to the outdoors. Consuming the different types of fungi in their diet, they help disperse the spores of the fungi through their droppings. The mycorhizzal fungi, for example, provide nutrients to the trees through their roots. They will also devour harmful insects without posing a significant threat to crops.
White Footed Mouse Infestations
In the event they intrude into homes and business, despite their benefits to the outdoor eco-system, it is prudent that you take you action and invest in professional assistance before they harm your health or damage the structure of your home or business. If they manage to extend their visit you can have a serious infestation because white footed mice reproduce quickly. Averaging five younglings in a littler, and having between 2-4 litters a year, with gestation period of only 22 days and females able to breed at 44 days old, you can quickly be overwhelmed.
White Footed Mice Rodent Inspections, Control & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
If you suspect white footed mice in your home, call in the professionals of at A Five Star Termite and Pest Control to get started on efficient rodent removal.
