Dealing with Mice in Calgary

deer mice

The deer mouse rarely invades homes, and is found in rural areas.

Habits
The deer mouse prefers the outdoors.

Habitat
The deer mouse makes its home outdoors in sheltered areas such as hollow tree logs or piles of debris. On the rare occasions the deer mouse comes indoors, it prefers undisturbed areas such as attics.

Threats
The deer mouse transmits the potentially fatal Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The disease can be transmitted through contact with mouse carcasses, or by breathing in aerosolized urine droplets of infected deer mice.

Prevention
To keep mice and other rodents out, make sure all holes of larger diameter than a pencil are sealed. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel. Seal any cracks and voids. Don't overlook proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building. Use heavy gloves and protective breathing gear when working in an area populated by deer mice.

*Information from the National Pest Management Association

house mice

The house mouse is the most common rodent pest in most parts of the world. It can breed rapidly and adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Habits
House mice can breed throughout the year and can share nests.

Habitat
House mice live in structures, but they can live outdoors.

Threats
Micro droplets of mouse urine can cause allergies in children. Mice can also bring fleas, mites, ticks and lice into your home.

Prevention
To keep mice and other rodents out, make sure all holes of larger diameter than a pencil are sealed. Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a nickel. Seal any cracks and voids. Don't overlook proper drainage at the foundation and always install gutters or diverts which will channel water away from the building.

*Information from the National Pest Management Association

voles / field mice

Voles are small rodents and are frequently referred to as meadow mice or field mice. They typically live about 3-6 months and there are about 70 species of voles. They have blunt noses, small furry ears, dense brown fur and a tail with no fur.

Diet
The vole's diet consists of seeds, tubers, tree needles, bark, various green vegetation such as grass and clover, and insects. Voles prefer not to feed in the open.

Habitat
Voles require dense grass cover and prefer to live outside in fields. They are very poor climbers and have difficulty reaching upper floors of buildings.

Impact
Voles are very destructive to gardens and will gnaw the bark of fruit trees. They can also cause damage to tree roots, which may eventually kill the trees.

Prevention
In addition to traps and fencing, gravel buffers can help protect gardens against vole infestation.

Remove weeds, heavy mulch, and dense vegetative cover around your home. These environments provide voles food and protection from predators.

Mowing, spraying with herbicides or tilling grassy areas adjacent to gardens will help prevent an infestation.

*Information from the Pestworld for Kids