Mus musculus - Pests in India - House mouse

House mice (Mus musculus) are small rodents measuring 6 to 9 cm in length. They are typically gray-brown, slender, and have a slightly pointed nose, small black eyes, and large ears that are sparsely covered with hair. These mice are common pests in India, found in both urban and rural areas, including homes and agricultural lands. They reproduce rapidly, with females producing multiple litters each year. House mice can cause significant damage by contaminating food and structures, and they are also capable of spreading diseases, including salmonellosis, leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and rickettsial pox. It entered a house through a narrow ceiling ventilator and descended into the house using a thin wire at Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on 18/11/2025.