RI, MA EHS Pest Control Blog

One of the first things I was taught when I first became a “PMP” (Pest Management Professional) back in the 70’s was to always look up! Come to think of it, we were “Exterminators” back then.

In many situations this holds true for keeping rodents out of your home.

Mice are excellent climbers and our native mice (White-Footed and Deer Mice) are exceptional climbers. I remember camping once and I woke up at 1:30AM to attend to some business. As I exited the camper with my trusty flashlight (PMP’s always carry quality flashlights) I observed a White-Footed mouse climb the truck of a large Eastern Hemlock onto a large branch and disappear into the dark woods!

If you want complete mouse proofing, seal everything larger than 1/4” all the way up to and including the gutter line. Our company has always struggled to be competitive in offering this service to our clients due to the cost of enormous amount of labor and it’s tedious nature. We do offer it though if anyone is interested in it.

John Stellberger
President - Environmental Health Services, Inc.

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA 

Polygamous Mice Have More Fertile Children

In a study of mice, for male mice at least, the more partners they have, the more fertile their offspring are, researchers in Australia found.

Dr. Renee Firman at the Centre for Evolutionary Biology at the University of Western Australia and colleagues used mice to show sperm from rival males compete to fertilize females and over several generations, polygamy can select for mice who produce more sperm -- with stronger motility -- than monogamous males.

After 12 generations of competitive selection -- polygamous -- or relaxed selection -- monogamous -- female mice were mated twice, in succession, with males from both groups.

More litters were fathered by the polygamous males, the study says.

"Polygamous males retained their advantage regardless of whether they were mated first or second, demonstrating that the increased fitness applies to both offensive and defensive competition," the study says.

"The selection procedure had no obvious effect on male size or behavior, nor did it affect female fertility."

Source; Science News

George Williams
General Manager - Staff Entomologist

Pest Control, RI, Pest Control, MA