Controlling mouse infestations in domestic properties

Abstract

Current approaches to the control of house mouse infestations rely heavily on a reactive service, where treatments are undertaken in response to complaints. The impact of buildings on the distribution and persistence of house mouse infestations has received little attention. This paper reports the results of 117 surveys of domestic properties in an urban area of Manchester. Results found that mice were not uniformly distributed within the domestic properties surveyed and that general characteristics and construction of the property, food hygiene within the kitchen area and overall fitness influenced distribution. The paper highlights the need for an integrated approach to control to ensure long‐term eradication of chronic house mouse infestations.

Citation

Murphy, G., Lindley, B. and Marshall, P. (2003), "Controlling mouse infestations in domestic properties", Structural Survey, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 190-195. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630800310511532