Mouse's Wood: A Year in Nature

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Grey/brown fur all over, usually no contrast between top and underside, as opposed to wood mouse which has a clear contrast of red/brown fur on top and a paler (often white) underside. Smaller size than wood mouse and proportionately smaller ears (about half the size). House mouse has stronger smell and can leave greasy marks from its fur. If you have a lot of vegetation and foliage nearby this is perfect for mice to shelter in, until the time comes for them to find somewhere warmer. They are trained in mouse control and will have access to a range of professional use rodenticides which are not available to the public.

WARNING: When using rodenticides always follow the instructions on the label, and importantly search for and dispose of any dead rodents in a safe manner. Diet: The house mice eat around three grams of food per day and favour cereal. Rather than storing food like the field mouse, the house mouse tends to eat as soon as they have located a food source. Eat a wide range of foods, but mostly prefer cereals. Consume 3g of food daily and can go for a long time without water Mice are erratic, sporadic feeders, nibbling at many sources of food rather than taking repeated meals from any one item. Rats leave their nest for food, water, and breeding. They communicate mostly by scent marking using pheromones, which are biochemicals found in urine and faeces.

When placing poison or traps, make sure they are in a safe and secure place out of reach of children and pets. Food is also an issue - they begin to scavenge closer to humans, as their own sources are no longer plentiful. It is important to understand these distinctions, as water voles and all species of shrew are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Did you know: mice have very flexible ribs, which allow them to squeeze through any gap into which they can fit their head.

Place traps close to, and at right angles to, walls so the treadle may be activated from either direction. You should focus on low level gaps first as these are the most likely areas for mice to enter. You can then consider any higher up vents or gaps. Unfortunately there’s not much you can do to prevent it. Cats are born hunters and, even when well fed, will continue to exhibit this natural behaviour.

Taxon: Rodentia

Both rats and mice chew on wood, paper, and fabric. They chew on wiring and drill holes in walls, furniture, and electrical devices, resulting in a short circuit and setting your property on fire. They also destroy garden crops and contaminate the food you and your pet eat. Our qualified, responsible technicians will happily discuss your pest problem and provide friendly, expert advice.

They can then recommend a proofing strategy and decide on the best course of action in terms of control; this could be traps, rodenticides or a combination of both. Lifespan: around 1 year in the wild. Up to 3 years in environments with less predators and more favourable conditions And keep those pegs handy - they have a really distinctive, strong smell so you’ll know if you have a large infestation of these unwanted guests. Nests - sometimes nests can be found indoors for example in lofts, under floorboards or in airing cupboardsConcealed areas – Young rats can fit into places that are out of sight and possibly out of mind, such as crawl spaces, suspended ceilings, and even cavity walls. As it mainly lives outdoors, it has bigger eyes and ears than a house mouse. This is an adaptation to avoid predation. They are highly adaptable and won’t hesitate to take advantage of a cosy human structure during the winter months. They are omnivores, so they eat everything, even meat. Consume up to 30g of meals each day, and rely on water regularly Even though cats are believed to be ineffective killers of rats, some love to hunt mice. A cat may help to deter rodents, but it’s not likely that the cat will eliminate the problem entirely.