Out of pests, mice are one of the most dangerous for one reason: they multiply at a rapid rate. This is why seeing even one or two mice—or rats—in or around your property can be a bad sign you have a serious infestation underway. The life cycle of rodents is so quick that mice reach sexual maturity and begin to reproduce at just a month old. Needless to say, this means that even one or two mice in your garage one week can grow exponentially in a manner of weeks. This is why it’s so imperative to learn how to prevent mice from breeding in your Lubbock TX property in the first place. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know with the experts at Bug Out.
The Fast Reproduction Rate of Mice
You might not think a couple of mice in your garage is a bad thing—but even a small problem can quickly turn into an infestation. All it takes is one female and one male mouse to kickstart what could be a serious infestation. Here’s everything you need to know:
- As mentioned before, young mice reach breeding age at 4–6 weeks of age.
- One mouse can give birth to five or six babies after just a three-week gestation period. Even worse, they can produce up to 10 litters a year!
- These female mice can mate immediately after giving birth, meaning mice can birth a second litter in as little as 25 days after the first.
Rodents Inside vs. Outside Your Property
The life cycle of a mouse makes it easy to see why these rodents are such common pests in our region. Although the average mouse lifespan is only about 12 months outdoors, they can live for nearly 2 or 3 years in an indoor environment. Living indoors also enables mice to breed more rapidly, as they are unable to reproduce in the winter if outdoors. Inside the comfort of your home, rodents are safe from predators like owls, hawks, and cats. This can lead to a longer lifespan and, in turn, more litters!
Stopping Mice From Breeding Quickly
No one wants to share their property with a big population of rodents. To prevent mice from turning your home or business into their personal breeding grounds, it’s important to learn how to prevent the mice in the first place. Even more important is learning how to recognize the signs of rodents to catch an infestation early on. For help or advice, the rodent exterminators at Bug Out are happy to assist. Contact us today!
