Types of Mice

Mice are one of the most common and unwanted house guests ever. Getting rid of mice starts with identification.

Mouse identification

Baits for wild mice are slightly different than those used for common house mice so you should make an effort to figure out which you have. Use the following lists to determine the origin of your visitors. Wild mice prefer seeds, oats and unprocessed foods, while house mice will eat nearly anything.

House mice characteristics:

Head and feet are proportional to body

Tail is as long as head and body combined

Back, feet and belly are all the same color (usually)

Flat upper incisors

Wild mice characteristics:

Head and feet are disproportionately large for body

Short, hairy tail (meadow mouse)

White belly and multi-colored tail (deer mouse)

Grooved upper incisors (harvest mouse)

Large ears and protruding eyes along with a dark brown back and silver belly (field mouse)

Signs of a mice infestation:

Unexplained holes in walls or food containers. Mice have the ability to gnaw amazingly precise circles.

Spherical droppings up to 1/4″ long.

Scampering and rustling noises in the walls and ceilings (Pay attention, this could help identify a nest or point of entry!)

Dirty smudges and urine dribbles on floors along walls. Mice have poor eyesight and tend to run along the sides of objects instead of running out into the open.