House Mice

Where they come from

Native to the Indian subcontinent. They spread with early farming and grain stores and reached the Americas with European settlers.

Where they thrive

Wall voids, pipe chases, hung ceilings, kitchens, stockrooms and stored boxes. Pre-war buildings with shared walls are a playground.

How they behave

Curious, not cautious, and range only 10 to 30 feet from the nest. Excellent climbers and capable swimmers that can jump about a foot high and run along walls rather than across open floors.

What they eat

Nibblers that take 15 to 20 small meals a day and get most of their water from food. Grains and seeds first.

How fast they breed

Mature at 6 to 8 weeks. A female can have 5 to 10 litters a year, so 2 mice can become dozens in a season.

Health risk

Droppings and urine contaminate food and surfaces and trigger asthma and allergies. Their teeth never stop growing, so they chew wiring, which is a fire risk.

In New York City

They move indoors as it cools in fall. A 2018 Columbia study found NYC apartment mice carrying E. coli, Salmonella and C. diff.