Do you understand a rodent’s life cycle ? Most of us don’t, and by knowing your rodent’s life cycle , you are better prepared to prevent and/or eliminate rodent infestations.

House Mouse Life Cycle

The house mouse life cycle begins with rapid growth and reproduction. The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a small mammal of the order Rodentia, characteristically having a pointed snout, large rounded ears, and a long and almost hairless tail. It is one of the most abundant species of the genus Mus. They are roughly 3"-4" long and weigh only 1.1 ounces.

A house mouse can become sexually mature & able to mate in as little as 5 weeks. Typically, sexual maturity is reached in 5 to 8 weeks.

• A female house mouse can reproduce up to 8 times in its life with a rodent gestation period of around 20 days.
• The house mouse life cycle allows them to have an average of 4 to 7 pups per litter, meaning they can have up to 56 pups in a year.
• Once they have had a litter, they can come into heat & become pregnant again within 24 to 48 hours. The females can still lactate to feed their current young, but their rodent gestation period could be longer in this instance.
• They can reproduce all year if their environments are stable with the proper amount of food, water & shelter. If the conditions are not favorable, they will limit their reproduction to spring & fall.
• The average rodent lifespan of a house mouse is less than 1 year.

Roof Rat Life Cycle

The black rat, also known as the roof rat , ship rat, or house rat, is a common long-tailed rodent of the stereotypical rat genus Rattus, in the subfamily Murinae. It originated in the Indian subcontinent but is now found worldwide. The roof rat life cycle follows a similar pattern to other rodents, allowing for quick reproduction and population growth.

• A roof rat can become sexually mature and able to mate in approximately 8 to 12 weeks.
• The roof rat life cycle includes an average of 4 to 8 pups per litter and 4 to 6 litters per year. Once they have had a litter, they can come into heat & become pregnant again within 24 to 48 hours.
• The females can be pregnant and can still lactate to feed their current young, but their rodent gestation period could be longer in this instance.
• They can reproduce all year if their environments are stable with the proper amount of food, water & shelter. If the conditions are not favorable, they will limit their reproduction to spring & fall.
• The average rodent lifespan of a roof rat is 1 year.

Norway Rat Life Cycle

The brown rat, also known as the common rat, street rat, sewer rat, wharf rat, Hanover rat, Norway rat , and Norwegian rat, is a widespread species of common rat. The Norway rat life cycle is particularly efficient, leading to large populations in urban and rural areas. One of the largest muroids, it is a brown or gray rodent with a long body and a tail slightly shorter than its body.

• A Norway rat can become sexually mature and able to mate in approximately 8 to 12 weeks. They have a rodent gestation period of around 21-24 days.
• The Norway rat life cycle allows them to have an average of 8 to 12 pups per litter and 4 to 7 litters per year. Once they have had a litter, they can come into heat & become pregnant again within 24 to 48 hours.
• The females can be pregnant and can still lactate to feed their current young, but their rodent gestation period could be longer in this instance.
• They can reproduce all year if their environments are stable with the proper amount of food, water & shelter. If the conditions are not favorable, they will limit their reproduction to spring & fall.
• The average rodent lifespan of a Norway rat is 2 years.

Now that you know the rodent life cycle of house mice , roof rats , and Norway rats , you are better educated and prepared to eliminate unwanted rodent infestations . Rodent control methods are essential in preventing population growth, and rodent control products like Liphatech pest control solutions can help rid you of any rodent issues.

If you have any additional tips or information on the rodent life cycle or ways to prevent rodent infestations , leave us a comment in the Comment Section below. If you have any questions or need help, give us a call today at 888-433-5275.