Microhabitat use by the house mouseMus musculus in an urban area

Abstract

Understanding some aspects of the ecology of the house mouseMus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 in an urban area may be crucial to decide materials or strategies for pest control. The aim of this study was to examine microhabitat use byM. musculus in vacant lots in the urban area of Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina. We livetrapped M. musculus in five vacant lots in summer and autumn of 2006, and in four vacant lots in summer and autumn of 2007. Variables influencing the use and not-use of trapping stations by the house mouse by season were identified with a logistic regression.M. musculus presence was closely associated with vegetation variables. In three of four analyzed seasons, the house mouse presence was positively associated with high values of vegetation volume and negatively associated with traps located close to walls. To control mouse presence in vacant lots, it would be important to minimize habitat complexity through the maintenance of a short vegetation cover and the avoidance of the important plant species growth forM. musculus.