Do mice really love eating cheese? Is your feline friend enough to keep them away? At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we get a lot of these questions. Below we explore some common mice myths to see if they are true or false. Whether they need their questions answered or emergency mice control, Milwaukee residents can always count on the Skedaddle team.

Do Mice Love Eating Cheese?

FALSE. Despite the ever-popular image of a mouse snacking on some delicious cheese, this is largely a myth. While mice will eat cheese at times, they do not have any apparent preference for it. Mice are scavengers and will eat almost anything they can find. Furthermore, like humans, they thrive with a diet that includes various foods with carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. While many people have no doubt found mice enjoying some cheese that was left out, this was likely a choice of convenience rather than preference.

Are Mice Nocturnal?

TRUE. Mice are nocturnal and like moving about at night. You are much more likely to discover unprotected food missing in the morning than at any other time of day. Keep an eye and ear out for mice at nighttime if you think you may have an infestation. Of course, you may also have seen a mouse during the day. This is less common, but they will sometimes venture out. However, as their preference is to forage at night, daytime activity may be an indication of a more serious mouse problem.

Do Mice Have Hollow Bones?

FALSE. This myth is likely rooted in the fact that mice can squeeze through small openings. Their bodies are very flexible, and they can squish themselves down when they need to do so. However, their bones are as solid as those of other mammals. Mouse bones are more similar to humans’ than you may imagine. They are vertebrates with musculoskeletal systems like ours. However, they critically have no collarbones and more flexible pelvises. So, they can compress their bodies to squeeze through tight gaps, as small as ¼ of an inch.

Are Mice Docile?

TRUE(ish). People who are timid are often likened to mice. This is because mice are very skittish around humans and predators. Like other scavengers, they are accustomed to not being at the top of the food chain. Therefore, they are very quick to abandon ship when they think they are unsafe. 

However, like other animals, mice can become aggressive when they must. They can be aggressive to each other during mating season or when competing over food sources. Additionally, they can bite and scratch people and pets when cornered with no escape. Mice may be timid, but they won’t sit quietly if they think you will hurt them. This is why it’s important to not try to handle mice yourself.

Will Cats Keep All Mice Away?

FALSE. It is certainly true that cats can and do catch mice. There is a reason that people have kept cats as “mousers” for generations. However, your kitty may not be as effective as you imagine. In the wild, mice need to dodge predators like cats to get their food and care for their young. So, they have developed traits that let them move very quickly and hide in crevices that cats can’t reach. Cats can’t stop determined mice. They can be effective at impeding mouse populations and deterring them if other food sources are present. However, don’t expect a cat alone to keep a large population away. Additionally, mice can carry diseases. You don’t want to expose your feline friend to the mites, toxins, germs, and parasites that may be on wild mice.

Professional Mice Control Services

For mice control, Milwaukee residents can turn to Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Our expertly trained team can handle an array of wildlife infestation issues, including mice. Don’t try to take on the problem alone. Get professional help and solve the problem sooner. Contact us today.