What are pest mice called? - briefly
The typical term for mice that cause damage in homes or farms is the house mouse (Mus musculus). In agricultural contexts they are also referred to as field mice.
What are pest mice called? - in detail
The common pest species of mice is the house mouse (Mus musculus). It is the primary rodent that invades homes, storage facilities, and grain silos. In agricultural settings the same species is often referred to as the grain mouse or field mouse when it feeds on crops. Other rodents that cause similar damage, such as the roof rat (Rattus nigripes) and the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), are classified separately but are also considered pest rodents.
Key characteristics of the house mouse as a pest:
- Small size (6–10 cm body length) enables entry through tiny openings.
- Rapid breeding cycle: females can produce 5–10 litters per year, each with 5–8 pups.
- Omnivorous diet includes grains, seeds, stored food, and structural materials.
- Nocturnal activity limits detection by occupants.
Economic impact:
- Direct loss of stored products, estimated at billions of dollars annually worldwide.
- Contamination of food supplies with urine, feces, and pathogens such as Salmonella and Hantavirus.
- Structural damage from gnawing on wiring, insulation, and building components.
Control measures commonly employed:
- Exclusion: sealing cracks, installing door sweeps, and using metal mesh on vents.
- Sanitation: removing food sources, storing grain in airtight containers, and maintaining clean waste areas.
- Population reduction: bait stations with anticoagulant rodenticides, snap traps, and electronic traps.
- Monitoring: placement of non‑lethal detection devices to assess activity levels and guide interventions.
Regulatory terminology used by pest‑management professionals includes “commensal rodent,” “domestic mouse,” and “rodent pest species.” These designations appear in guidelines from agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the International Plant Protection Convention.