How the Life Cycle of the House Mouse Affects Kentucky Homeowners

During the lifecycle of a house mouse, the first stage of development, known as gestation, typically lasts about 3 weeks for the mother and results in an average of 6 pups. This is the time when she may find her way into your home and build her nest, preparing for birthing. The pups are born deaf, hairless, and blind. By day 4, their ears have fully developed, allowing them to hear. Between days 6 and 10, the pups develop a full coat of fur, but their eyes won’t open for another 2 to 5 days, keeping them fully dependent on their mother. It takes an additional 6 days for the pups to be fully weaned and able to survive without their mother. By this time, pups have begun to explore their surroundings and wander from their nest. By their 25th day, female pups may be ready to reproduce, while male pups will not be ready for another 2 weeks.

Once female mice reach adulthood and can reproduce, they will produce 5-10 litters (30-60 mice) per year. This rapid reproduction, combined with the roughly 6 weeks it takes for mice to fully mature, makes them among the fastest-reproducing mammals in the world.

A single female house mouse can cause an infestation as large as 5,000 or more mice in a single year. While this single female may only birth 40-80 offspring of her own, those offspring go on to reproduce as well. In other words, a single female is all it takes for a potential rodent infestation to become a reality in your Kentucky home.

If you see even a single mouse and want to be sure an infestation doesn’t break out at your home or business, contact Kentucky’s number one rodent control specialist, Four Seasons Pest Solutions. Our dedicated rodent control specialists are ready to protect your property and your health from rodents, rodent damage, and the diseases they carry. Come see why everyone says, “It’s good to have Four Seasons on your side!”