Field mice are small rodents that belong to the genus Microtus. They can be found across North America, from Mexico up to Canada and Alaska.
The field mouse is one of the most common animals in North America. They are small rodents that can be found in gardens, fields, barns, and even homes. Field mice are timid creatures that prefer to live underground or inside objects like logs or old tires. Field mice will eat almost anything unless they have a food preference for wheat or corn. They also enjoy seeds and fruits as well as bird eggs and baby birds. Field mice generally stay 10 months, but some may survive up to two years without contact with humans!
In this blog post, we will talk about a few interesting facts about field mice that you may not have known before!
Facts about Field Mice
Mice are small mammals with a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a slender body, and a long thin tail. They vary in color from brown to gray to bright white. Mice are the most numerous small animals found in homes. Hundreds of mice can be found just one square mile outside of an urban area. Field mice are often portrayed as cheeky rodents who steal cheese or nuts from well-fed cats or stomp on unsuspecting humans’ toes. Unfortunately, the misconceptions about their behavior have led to many deaths among these cute creatures at the hands of men.
Mice are shy creatures who prefer staying in dark and secluded areas. They only venture out during the night or when humans aren’t around. The misconception that mice like cheese and nuts are because they feed on seeds, fruits, and nuts with no interest in stealing food from cats. A field mouse doesn’t pose a threat to humans as they only contaminate food with their droppings. They also aren’t known to spread diseases or bite people without provocation. Field mice are much more docile than house mice and tend to be less cautious beings. They’re often caught out in the open during the day, making them easy targets for predators like cats and owls who hunt them for food.
Field mice are typically about 7-9 cm (3-4 inches) long and live in holes in the ground, making them vulnerable to predation by weasels and stoats. Tomato plants, blackberries, and other plants can be found growing near their burrows.
The burrows are typically about half a meter long and have 3-5 entrances. The nests inside the burrows are made of dried grass and leaves. Field mice live primarily on seeds, fruits, green plants, and insects. Because they often dig through garbage to retrieve discarded food, field mice may carry diseases from place to place and eat stored food.
Are Field Mice Harmful?
Mice are a rodent that is found around the world. They are omnivorous, and these little creatures can cause a lot of damage if they have access to your house. In addition, mice have been identified as carriers for many different diseases such as Typhus, Salmonella, and Hantavirus. All of these diseases can be transferred to humans, and they are quite harmful.
Field mice are small rodents that are often considered to be pests. They are known to infest homes both in urban areas and in the country. They eat food and other items in a home and can destroy property. Many times field mice are found in homes without any sort of invitation.
They get into the homes by chewing through baseboards or openings around windows or doors that allow access to rooms within the home. Therefore, it is important to block off entrances that mice can use to enter the structure. This may be the only way to stop them from getting in.
Signs of Field Mice Infestations
Field mice are known for their sharp teeth and furry tails that appear as a soft fur brush. Mice prefer living in dark and undisturbed spaces where they can hide from predators. Therefore it is important to keep spaces such as basements and garages clean to not attract these critters to your home.
Some signs of mice infestation include:
- Droppings – These are tiny, dark-colored pellets with pointed ends. Mice droppings can range in size from 1/32 to 3/8 of an inch long. You will normally find mouse droppings along walls or in cabinets where mice prefer living and eating food.
- Urine Odor – If you find a strong, musty and unpleasant urine smell coming from your walls or any furniture in the house, then there is a big chance that mice had made it their home.
- Holes – Mice like making small holes on cabinets and walls to gain access to your home. Holes can be as little as 1/8 inches wide. Some of the most common locations for mice to make holes are; along wall and floor junctions, inside electrical outlets and switches boxes, around pipes and doors and windows.
- Grease Marks – Mice like to live near food sources such as cabinets, refrigerators, and pantries. An excellent way to check for a mouse infestation is to look for greasy smudges by the markings on cabinets, pantries, and other places where mice can gain entry into your home.
- Nesting Material – Mice will use anything that they can find to build their nests. These materials may include pieces of cloth, twine, paper, and insulation. Mice love to make nests in dark and undisturbed areas such as the attic, garage, basement, and cupboards.
- Running Paths – Mice will use a running path to get from one place to another. These paths are found along walls where mice can run while keeping themselves hidden from predators. Mice also use running paths to escape from predators such as the house cat.
If you see any of these signs in or around your home, you must immediately get rid of mice infestation. Follow these rodent control tips for actions you can take to keep them out.
How to Get Rid of Field Mice
There are many ways to get rid of field mice. First, you may want to set traps in areas where they’re most likely to enter your home. Another way is to put grease on the gaps where rodents can squeeze through. Traps can be made out of almost anything, but the goal is to provide bait for them without getting too close, so they don’t know what it is until they’ve taken it. This would also prevent them from associating with the person setting the traps.
During winter, you can make a hot-water bottle and put some food inside. Then, wrap the opening with the fur of a field mouse or other rodent to make it more appealing for them, and place in areas where they might enter your home. Closing all possible entrances will prevent mice from getting in and allow the smell of the food and the bottle’s warmth to lure them in and eventually kill them through overheating.
A more drastic measure is using ultrasonic repellents or devices that make either high-frequency noise or emit light in short, powerful flashes. These will both scare away and hurt mice without you having to do anything but plug it into a power source.
Another method of preventing mice from coming into your house is to use a special gel that has been proven to be effective in repelling mice and rats. Mice dislike the scent it leaves behind, so making multiple placements around the house will deter them from entering.