In stored-food infestations by mice, the greatest loss is due to what?

Study for the Michigan Vertebrate Pest Management (Category 7D) Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

In stored-food infestations by mice, the greatest loss is due to what?

Explanation:
Contamination is the main source of loss when mice infest stored foods. Their droppings, urine, saliva, and shed hair contaminate many units and surfaces, making the entire lot unsafe or unsellable. This drives disposal costs, cleaning, potential recalls, and regulatory issues, so the economic hit comes from contaminated product rather than from the amount the mice actually eat. While direct consumption, mold, or disease can be concerns, they occur within the broader contamination problem and do not account for as large an overall loss.

Contamination is the main source of loss when mice infest stored foods. Their droppings, urine, saliva, and shed hair contaminate many units and surfaces, making the entire lot unsafe or unsellable. This drives disposal costs, cleaning, potential recalls, and regulatory issues, so the economic hit comes from contaminated product rather than from the amount the mice actually eat. While direct consumption, mold, or disease can be concerns, they occur within the broader contamination problem and do not account for as large an overall loss.

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