Mus musculus
Mouse
Family: Muridae
Origin: Eurasia
Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status
- Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area pest — Site-led
- Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest
- Whole region — Sustained control
General description
Small (up to 30 grams) grey-brown or black omnivorous rodent.
What you need to know
To help protect our environment:
- You must not release any mouse within the Auckland region.
- You must not move any mouse to or within the Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area.
- In the future, all commercial transport operators moving goods or people to or among Hauraki Gulf islands will need to have a Pest Free Warrant.
- Anyone intending to move a building to or among Hauraki Gulf islands must notify Auckland Council at least 10 working days prior to movement so that an inspection can be arranged.
Habitats
Forests, urban areas, scrub, coastal areas, grasslands, wetlands, crops.
Impact on environment
Preys on native reptiles and invertebrates, provides food source for invasive predators. Eats seeds, reducing native seedling recruitment and modifying plant communities. Negatively impacts cereal production and the food services industry.
Control
Management
If you are no longer able to look after your pet mouse, find someone who is prepared to give it a lifetime home, or contact a relevant pet shop or animal rescue organisation to get it rehomed. Never release a mouse into the wild – your pet may be unable to find the food and shelter it needs, and it also puts our native species at risk.
If you see a mouse on a pest-free island within the Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Please refer to the pest animal control guidelines for information on how to control mice, or contact Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
