Mice can live just about anywhere, so they’re a problem for everyone. These rodents can live in your home without you realizing it. Once you notice them, you need to find the nest.
Mice will build their nests near their food sources, so knowing what they eat is the key to finding them. Mice eat much more than just cheese, so let’s dive into their diverse diet.
Things You Should Know About Mice
There are some things every homeowner should know about mice.
Mouse Eating Habits
Mice are naturally curious creatures and will eat almost anything. They’ll sniff around and munch on crumbs, valuables, and wires, which can lead to many problems for homeowners.
Your house has a wide variety of foods mice enjoy. If you have pets, mice will get into the pet food if not stored properly. They will go for your grains, nuts, fruits, and seeds, chewing their way through the containers. Fun fact: mice love chocolate.
These pests will get into your trash, finding the food scraps just as delicious as fresh food. Since mice will eat anything, human food is just as appealing to them as what they can find in the wild.
Mice are hoarders. They take their food back to their nests and store it in little stockpiles. Grains of rice showing up in random places may be a sign of an infestation.
Mice occasionally resort to cannibalism in times of starvation. Female mice may eat their children, and some mice eat their own tails. This usually only happens in times of great stress.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about what mice eat!
Do Mice Eat Cheese?
While it isn’t the first thing mice will go for, they will eat it. Given a choice, between a grain or cheese, a mouse will choose the grain.
Do Mice Eat Cockroaches?
Mice are omnivores. It is not their first choice, but they can and sometimes will eat cockroaches and other insects.
Do Mice Eat Grass?
Wild mice will eat grass and it is a favorite of field mice.
Do Mice Eat Meat?
Yes, mice will eat meat. Wild mice will eat insects, but pet mice can eat chicken and turkey.
What Do Deer Mice Eat?
Deer mice have similar diets; they will eat whatever they find like seeds, insects, and fruits.
The Mouse Problem
Mice can cause a ton of property damage and are a health risk for you and your family. Infestations can escalate quickly if not handled swiftly and effectively.
Mice reproduce very quickly. It is possible for a female mouse to become pregnant up to ten times a year and give birth to litters of up to a dozen mice. The females born from her litter can reproduce about thirty days later!
Mice love gnawing on things. It’s how they take care of their teeth. Pet mice need plenty to chew on, but for unwelcome house guests, this causes severe damage to your house.
They will chew on anything from wooden furniture to your drywall. Cabinets and baseboards are also a mouse favorite. They can get to your electrical writing and chew through the wires. This can cause your electrical devices to short out, creating a fire hazard.
Mice carry a lot of diseases, several being very dangerous for humans. They leave droppings as they roam, which contains harmful bacteria and pathogens. As mice get into your food sources and crawl across dishes, utensils, and other cooking tools, they contaminate the surface. Mice and rats are thought to eat or contaminate 20% of the world’s food with their hair and droppings each year.
The Bottom Line
Adult mice eat about 3 grams of food per day, which is about 10% of their body weight. Despite their small size and their ability to subsist on very little, the damage and health risks they cause are substantial. It is important to mouse-proof your house, especially in the winter months, to avoid this.
Get a quote or call us today about our mouse-proofing, exclusion, and extermination services.