Got Nature? Blog

Morning AgClips — You have probably seen a cartoon or stereotypical TV show where someone sees a mouse and says, “Eek, a mouse!” Mice and rats around homes and farmsteads can be a problem. Have control methods improved on the typical snap trap of 50 years ago? In short, they have.

The adult house mouse is about 5½ to 7½ inches long, including the 3–4-inch tail. Norway rats are much larger, from 13 to 18 inches long, including the 6–8½-inch tail. According to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM), mice eat many types of food but prefer seeds and grain. They sample new foods and are considered “nibblers.” Foods that are high in fat, protein, or sugar (e.g., bacon, chocolate, butter, nuts) may be preferred, even when grain and seeds are present. An individual mouse consumes about 1/10 of its body weight each day and up to 8 pounds per year. Mice contaminate far more food than they consume through their urine and feces.

In homes and commercial buildings, mice may feed on stored food items and pet foods. They contaminate food with their urine, droppings, and hair. On farms, they damage structures that store feed and equipment. Mice often act as reservoirs or vectors of diseases, such as swine dysentery, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and other diseases.

ICWDM suggests several preventive and control methods people can employ. Proper sanitation around structures is helpful. This reduces sources of food, water, and shelter. Rodent-proof construction is recommended, along with proper storage and disposal of refuse and garbage. They indicate that ultrasonic frightening devices are generally not effective. Repellants and toxicants are options to consider. Trapping devices, such as snap traps, cage or box traps, and glue boards, may also be considered for use.

Read more details on the Morning AgClips website at Dealing with Rodents Around Homes & Farms.

Resources:
A Template for Your Wildlife Habitat Management Plan, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Wildlife Habitat Hint, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Playlist
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Playlist
Woodland Management Moment, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Playlist
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR Youtube Channel
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Woodland Invaders, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – FNR
Preventing Wildlife Damage – Do You Need a Permit? – The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Selecting a Nuisance Wildlife Control Professional, The Education Store
How to Construct a Scent Station, The Education Store
Question: How do I properly relocate raccoons from my attic?, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension FNR
Nuisance Wildlife – Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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Morning AgClips

John E. Woodmansee, Extension Educator – Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)
Purdue Extension – Whitely County