Wild mice are so common that they can be found in every state in the country, and often end up crossing paths with humans as they make their way into homes in search of food and shelter. You may fear these rodents will bite you, your kids and your pets, but the truth about these animals may surprise you. Our Skedaddle Niagara team will help you understand the habits of wild mice, and how they interact with humans.

1. Why Do Mice Enter Homes? 

Wild mice species such as the house mouse venture into your home if they smell food, and to find protection from harsh weather. In cooler climates, they may seek out a winter home in your attic, inside your home’s heating or cooling ducts or behind a wall, where they can make a nest out of foraged materials. They may also hide under large appliances and inside indoor crawl spaces. You can identify these animals by their grey or brown coat, long tail and dark eyes. They are much smaller than rats and have rounded ears.

2. Do Mice Bite People? 

While mice might be aggressive with their own kind while protecting their pups or territory, they rarely if ever attack people. Even if they enjoy sharing your home, they will likely avoid you and your family, preferring to forage at night when it is safer for them to do so. If you happen to corner a male house mouse, he will snap his tail back and forth in warning, but if given an escape route, he will prefer to flee instead of bite. Be warned, though, if a mouse feels threatened and has no other option, they will resort to biting if they have to.

3. Do Mice Eat Human Food? 

Mice are omnivores, meaning they eat a variety of foods including grains, fruits, vegetables and insects. They will probably find a wealth of nourishment in your pantry and can chew open boxes of rice, cereal and other dry goods. They also eat pet food, so it is a good idea to keep it in sealed containers that mice cannot chew through.

4. Are Mice Afraid of Lights? 

Some creatures that venture into your home from the outdoors, such as insects, may run for cover when exposed to a kitchen or bathroom light. While house mice are nocturnal and most active in the dark, leaving lights on in your home is unlikely to deter them from exploring your cabinets and pantry. If you see mice during the day, this probably means you have a sizable nest somewhere in your home and may want to call Skedaddle Wildlife Control for assistance.

5. Can Wild Mice Be Handled? 

While house mice are tiny and might look cute, it is not a good idea to handle them, even if they are caught in a humane trap. Unlike domestic mice, these rodents do not make good pets and are not likely to be tamed. Wild mice can also carry a variety of diseases, so avoid handling them or allowing your children to touch them. Live house mice are best handled by our team of professionals, who have experience working with these rodents.

6. Do Mice Destroy Furniture? 

Because mice are rodents, they need to gnaw on wood and other hard surfaces. The front teeth grow constantly and must be filed down. If you store any furniture in your garage or attic, wild mice may gnaw on the wood and chew on the cushions to pull out the interior for nesting material. Some mice might even nest directly inside the cushions if the furniture is not covered or not stored properly.

When house mice invite themselves into your home, traps and poisons are neither humane nor effective in dealing with how quickly these rodents can reproduce. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Niagara today so we can help you deal with the issue and offer you solutions for keeping wild mice outside where they belong.