House Mouse
Mus musculus · Mice & Rodents
The house mouse is a small gray-brown rodent that moves indoors for food and shelter, squeezing through gaps about as wide as a pencil. It gnaws wiring and stored goods and contaminates food with droppings and urine. Because mice can carry several disease germs, their droppings should be cleaned up carefully.
Look for: A small, slender gray-to-light-brown mouse with large ears and a nearly hairless tail about as long as its body, leaving rice-sized dark droppings along walls.
Quick facts
| Size | 125-180 incl. tail mm |
|---|---|
| Legs | 4 (a mammal, not an insect) |
| Usual colors | brown, tan |
| Where in the home | Kitchen, Living Room |
| Active | All year |
| Peak | Sep, Oct, Nov |
| U.S. range | Found throughout the U.S. in and around buildings. |
| Bites or stings people | Rarely |
Seasons are typical across much of the U.S. and vary by region.
Peak season Active Typical across much of the U.S.; varies by region.
Sources
Not sure this is your bug? Try the Bug Identifier or ask your local Cooperative Extension office.