The term “brown mice” oftentimes is applied to a species of the mouse also known as the house mouse. Although house mice come in a number of different colors, the most common fur hue of this type of rodent is brown. The brown mouse is one of the most common types of rodent home invaders in the United States, including in Southern California. As a consequence, it’s important for people to have a general understanding of some basic facts about the brown mouse.
Four Derivations of the Brown Mouse
Of all rodents, the brown mouse has been the one that has the most unique connection with humans. This has resulted in what fairly can be said to be four derivations of the brown mouse:
- Truly wild brown mice
- Semi-tame brown mice
- Fancy mice/ domesticated brown mice
- Laboratory mice
Truly Wild Brown Mice
Truly wild populations of brown mice are becoming less commonplace in this day and age. These are mice that live in an environment void of any meaningful connection to a human population.
Semi-Tame Brown Mice
Because brown mice have enjoyed marked success in living in the midst of human populations, there is a cadre of this type of rodent that has become semi-tame. In other words, they not only have little fear about entering into human-made structures, but they do not automatically scurry away when a human appears on the scene.
Fancy Mice/Domesticated Brown Mice
Fancy mice, the term typically applied to domesticated pet mice, are all descendants from the same pair of wild brown mice or house mice. In fact, this pair was a brother and sister responsible for starting the line that has resulted in all pet mice available in the United States and elsewhere around the world today. Through focused breeding efforts, domesticated or pet mice now come in a significant range of colors and fur patterns.
Laboratory Mice
The vast majority of laboratory mice utilized for research and related purposes today are all descendants of the wild brown or house mouse. These rodents have been considered invaluable in research for a good many years. Indeed, the brown or house mouse is considered to be one of the most important research organisms utilized in the United States and around the world.
The Lifecycle of the Brown Mice
A brown mouse truly living a wild existence typically has an expected life span of less than a year. At the other end of the spectrum, a domesticated or pet brown mouse has a life expectancy of two to three years. A brown mouse that is somewhat tame and living in concert with a human population has an average expected lifespan between these two extremes.
Provided brown mice are in an environment with a decent food supply and relative safety, these rodents will reproduce throughout the year. Brown mice are sexually mature at about 60 days of age.
The gestation period for the brown mouse is about 20 days. A female can produce up to 10 to 14 babies in a single litter, although the average number of pups is 6 to 8. Babies are born blind and hairless. They gain their vision at about 13 days after being born. They typically are weaned at about the 21st day from birth.
Diseases and the Brown Mouse
Brown mouse, or the house mouse, is the carrier of some diseases that can present a potentially hazardous situation to humans and their health. The brown mouse is thought to be a carrier of fewer diseases than is the case with other species of mice and rats generally. Examples of diseases that have been recognized as associated with brown mice or house mice include:
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV)
- Leptospirosis
- Salmonella
Pathogens that can result in diseases in humans can be spread by direct contact to a house mouse, via fleas that might end up on this type of rodent, and through the animal’s droppings or dried urine.
Brown Mouse Infestation
Because of the dangers that can be presented by a brown mouse infestation in a home, business, or some other location, a person contending with this type of issue typically is best served and protected by engaging the services of a rodent eradication or extermination company.
In addition to having to eliminate brown mice if you have an infestation, you also need to safely and thoroughly eliminate any mouse droppings that have accumulated at the property. Cleaning up this type of biohazardous waste represents a task that likely can be safely and effectively undertaken with a local rodent dropping cleaning service.
If you think you’ve detected the presence of brown mice in your residence or business, or at any other location, you really need to be proactive. You can keep the eradication moving forward apace by inviting a professional mouse cleanup professional to your home (or business) to inspect the scene and to discuss with you the specific type of infestation you face.