What do baby mice eat? A question often asked by homeowners who suspect they may have a mouse infestation. While these little rodents may look cute, they are also common household pests.
Mice are notorious for their high reproductive rates. A single female mouse can have between 5 to 10 litters in about 10 weeks. This rapid reproduction rate means that a small infestation of mice can quickly become a big problem.
How Many Babies Do Mice Have?
Mice can have many babies per year. They are known for their high reproductive rate, and a female mouse can give birth to up to fourteen babies at a time. However, the average litter size is usually between six and eight pups. This rapid breeding results in about thirty to sixty babies every year.
What Do Baby Mice Look Like?
Baby mice are born very small, hairless, and blind. Their eyes usually open around day 10 and grow fur around day 14. At birth, baby mice are about 1/4 the size of an adult mouse. Baby mice are altricial, meaning they are born helpless and need their mother’s care for survival.
What Do Baby Mice Eat?
For the first few weeks, baby mice consume colostrum produced by the mother’s mammary glands and released in her milk. Colostrum is high in fat and provides neonates with the nutrients they need to grow and develop.
As they grow and develop, baby mice gradually eat more solid food. This food gets scavenged by the mother and brought to the nest. As an adult, their diet consists mainly of seeds, insects, grains, and nuts.
How To Prevent Baby Mice
If you’re dealing with a mouse infestation, getting rid of them can be challenging.
Perform House Inspections
Look for gaps or holes in walls and floors, and seal any that you find. Mice can squeeze through incredibly small spaces, so be diligent in your inspection. Once inside, they can cause damage by chewing on wires and insulation.
Keep Your House Clean
Mice will often nest in cluttered areas so keeping your home clean and clutter-free can deter them from reproducing. One of the best ways to do this is to remove all food sources that might attract mice. This means keeping food in sealed containers and keeping your kitchen clean.
Set Traps
The most important thing to remember when setting traps is to place them in areas where mice are active. Snap traps are one of the most popular options and are effective at killing mice. Another option is to use a live trap to capture the mouse without harming it.
What To Do if You Find Baby Mice
If you find a baby mouse, there are probably more to come. You may not have access to remove the nest if it is in the walls or attic. This is why if you suspect you have a mice infestation, call for professional help right away.
Unfortunately, mice are among the most common household pests, and they can be difficult to eradicate once they’ve made their way into your home. Take proactive steps to prevent mice infestations before they happen: essential oils, insecticidal spray, traps, and getting professional help.
The sooner you get rid of the mice, the less damage they will cause. A professional pest control company will be able to quickly and effectively eliminate the mice using traps and baits.
They will also be able to advise you on how to prevent future infestations. At Phenom Pest Control, our pest solutions specialist can eliminate mice from your home, helping you find comfort in your living space again.
