Maine is home to a variety of wildlife. Among the smaller critters of the state are its mice, who play a crucial role in the local ecosystem. The following are different types of mice that are found in Maine, each with their own unique characteristics and contributions to the region.
White-Footed Mouse
These mice are recognizable by their white feet and underbellies and are widespread in Maine.
The white-footed mice inhabit a range of environments, from forests to fields and serve as a vital link in the food chain since they are prey to various predators.
Deer Mouse
The Deer Mouse is often mistaken for the white-footed mice. They have large eyes and bi-colored tails. They are found in diverse habitats, such as woodlands and grasslands.
The deer mice are excellent climbers and may nest in trees.
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Another mouse found in Maine is the Meadow Jumping Mouse. They have long hind legs and a slender body and are adapted for jumping. They thrive in grassy areas near water sources. Their diet consists of seeds, insects, and green vegetation.
Woodland Jumping Mouse
The Woodland Jumping Mouse is recognizable by their long tail, large eyes, and strong hind legs for jumping. They are mostly found in wooded areas. These mice are primarily nocturnal, looking for food during the night.
Northern Bog Lemming
The Northern Bog Lemming has a stout body and short tail. Hence their name, they are adapted to bog habitats often round in wetlands and boggy areas. These mice play a major role both for the flow of energy from plants to predators in the vertebrate food web.
How do mice get inside Maine homes?
Mice can enter Maine homes and businesses through small spaces found in the exterior walls. They only need a space that is about ¼ of an inch in diameter to enter. House mice often can squeeze through cracks and crevices in the foundation, spaces found around exterior windows and doors. They can also access your home through vents or spaces found around heating and air conditioning units. Mice will infest homes and businesses any time of the year while searching for food and water. They can be a major nuisance in the fall and winter when the weather starts to get chilly, needing a warm place to stay during the winter months.
Are mice dangerous in Maine?
Yes, mice are dangerous. They can spread serious diseases including salmonellosis, leptospirosis, dysentery, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. There are two types of mice in Maine that can cause serious disease, the Deer mouse and white-footed mouse. They can spread hantavirus which is a serious disease caused by a virus and can affect your lungs. Also, white-footed mice are primary carriers of the Lyme bacteria and are a popular host of ticks. These mice are also known for introducing other ticks and fleas that carry their own set of diseases that can spread to people. Mice are a danger to people and property because they need to constantly chew. They can cause structural damage to properties and belongings and have also been known to start fires in homes and businesses.
How do you get rid of mice in Maine?
Mice are difficult to find and eliminate since they are often found in hard-to-reach areas of your home or business. The best way to ensure that all mice are found and removed is with professional help. Do it yourself mouse control is ineffective and does nothing to get to the root of the infestation. A full exclusion is most effective to find how mice are entering your property in the first place.
What to do if you have a mouse infestation
If you’re living in Southern Maine and have a mouse infestation around your home or business, it’s time to act before the situation gets worse. Mice in Maine can spread disease and cause major damage to your home -which is why you need to call on the experts at Green Shield Pest Solutions today.
Our team of experienced technicians is fully equipped to handle any sort of mice or rat infestation that you may be facing. We work with customers to identify the source of the infestation, the conditions that are attracting these critters and develop a management plan to obtain a rodent free home.
When you choose us to handle your mice infestation, you become a part of our family of happy customers. Our team will work closely with you to ensure that your needs are met and that you are completely satisfied with our work.
So, if you’ve found mouse poop in a drawer, have discovered mice nesting in the attic or any evidence of a problem, if you’re dealing with a rodent infestation in Southern Maine, don’t wait any longer. Contact Green Shield Pest Solutions today to schedule an appointment – and take the first step toward a mouse-free home.