If mice have infested your home, you undoubtedly have several new worries on your hands. Not only can a mice infestation be frustrating, but it can also cause anxiety, fear, and disgust. You may find yourself wondering, how long do mice usually live?
A mouse’s four incisor teeth grow throughout life, meaning that a mouse chews on nearly anything. They can cause structural damage to parts of your home, including siding or electrical wiring.
Mice also spread several diseases to humans, including leptospirosis and Lyme disease. As a result, it’s important to get them out of your home as soon as possible.
What is the Average Lifespan of a Mouse?
The question of lifespan is commonly asked by those who are unfortunate enough to have a mice infestation. Fortunately, the lifespan of a mouse is relatively short. However, as noted above, they can do a substantial amount of damage to your home and cause harm to you and your family during their brief time.
Depending on their species, the lifespans of mice may range in length. The following lists the average lifespans of mice commonly found across the United States:
- Deer mice: ~two to 14 months
- House mice: ~nine to 12 months
- White-footed mice: ~12 to 24 months
- Western harvest mice: ~six to 12 months
Mice may die indoors due to several different causes, including old age. Cancer is considered the most common disease that causes death in mice. Research has shown that kidney failure, overheating, and injury are other common causes.
How Long Do Mice Stay in a Home?
Mice may invade your home for several reasons. They’re likely searching for water, food, or shelter, particularly during colder months. If they find a hospitable place where they can make their nests and stay hidden, it may result in an extended “visit.” Mice tend to make their nests from soft materials that they find, including cardboard boxes, cotton, shredded paper, and insulation.
In contrast to the wild, the only threats that mice may find in a home include pets, people, disease, excess heat, and potential injury.
How Long Do Mice Live in the Wild?
In the wild, the average lifespan of mice is often just short of a year. Harsh weather conditions, predators, poisoning, lack of food or water, injury, and disease are all threats to wild mice. The most common natural predators of mice in the wild include birds, wild dogs, cats, foxes, and snakes.
Mice: A Short Life
Although mice do have short lives, they are prolific breeders. Female mice can breed starting between six and 10 weeks of age. They also have short gestation periods, carrying their young for about 19 to 21 days before giving birth to up to 12 baby mice (or pups). Female mice birth approximately 25 to 60 pups a year.
The pups stop nursing just a few weeks after birth and begin foraging for food outside their nest. Mouse pups tend to forage for seeds, nuts, crumbs, and insects, so they often seek food in a home’s kitchen. If you notice mouse pups in your home, that is a clear indicator of an ongoing infestation.
Don’t Hesitate: Get Rid of Mice Today!
If you notice any of the following signs of a mice infestation in your home, it’s important to act as quickly as you can:
- Droppings
- Gnawed furniture or plastic
- Tracks or rub marks
- Unusual sounds, particularly at night (when mice tend to be most active)
- A musty odor
- A mice nest or nests made from soft materials such as shredded fibers
- Mice sightings
Remember that seeing even a few mouse pups or mice in your home can signal a large mice infestation. Do not wait until the infestation becomes worse and you begin seeing damage around your home. Contact our certified pest experts to get rid of your mice problem today!
