It's hard to believe an animal named Mickey, Minnie, or Mighty could be such a pesky pest. As the weather gets cooler, mice look for a cozy place to spend the winter, and our houses are prime real estate. Now is the time to take steps to keep the varmints out. Sandy Mason, U of I Extension horticulture educator, provides the following information.

House mice are small grey rodents with long tails, large ears and black eyes. Sometimes, you may find the occasional deer mouse indoors. It looks more gerbil-like with its brown fur and very large eyes and ears.

The mighty mouse causes an estimated $20 million in damage to human and livestock food and structures. Mice will eat just about anything and will store extra food. They also do damage by chewing electrical wires in your house or car and wood in homes and garages. Blankets, clothes, paper, cardboard and house insulation may be damaged as it is used for nesting material.

It doesn't take long to have a major mouse problem. In a year, one female mouse can have five to 10 litters, with five to six young in each litter.

Effective mouse control includes three elements: proper sanitation, mouse proof construction and population reduction.

Proper sanitation includes reducing food and shelter. Keep debris piles, wood piles and stacked boards away from your home's foundation. Store indoor materials in tight-fitting, hard plastic containers and, if possible, at least 8 inches off the floor and 1 foot away from walls.

Also, store bird and pet food in tight-fitting containers. Keep filled pet food bowls out for a short period. It's almost impossible to starve out mice, but controlling food access will reduce populations.

Mice can detect openings where warm air is escaping from buildings. In a convoluted way, mice are doing you a favor by forcing you to make your home more energy efficient. Mice can enter through very small holes. Eliminate any openings larger than 3/16 inch. Eliminate gaps around pipes with steel wool and caulk or mortar. Copper woven wire mesh is a bit more expensive but does not rust like steel wool, and it can easily be wedged into cracks. Larger openings can be closed using aluminum flashing or 1/4-inch wire mesh.

Mouse populations can also be controlled using traps and toxicants. In most home situations, traps are the best option. Traps do not contain pesticides and allow removal of the bodies.

Snap traps are the most commonly used. Ones with expanded triggers are the most successful. Bait traps with peanut butter, caramel or nesting materials of cotton balls or cloth. When first putting out traps, leave the traps unset until the bait has been taken at least once. This method eliminates the possibility of the mice developing trap shyness. Mice are most active before dawn and right after dusk. Place traps behind objects in dark places next to walls. Use several traps at no more than 10 feet apart. Or, just adopt a cat with a known reputation as a good mouser.