mice outside, will they come in when it's cold - Ask Extension
I have at least 3 tiny (1-2 inches) brown mice who scavenge thistle seed from under the finch feeder. They run back and forth from the feeder to some...
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mice outside, will they come in when it's cold #881071
Asked August 11, 2024, 7:11 PM EDT
I have at least 3 tiny (1-2 inches) brown mice who scavenge thistle seed from under the finch feeder. They run back and forth from the feeder to somewhere on the other side of the house. I don't know where their nest might be -- I have no piles of brush, no woodpiles, though some weedy areas. I don't want them in my house. 1) will they come in when it gets colder? 2) can I prevent them from coming in?
Baltimore City CountyMaryland
Expert Response
Hi,
It is a possibility! Mice can fit through a hole about the size of a dime so its almost no guarantee that they will not come inside even if you have your house checked for gaps or cracks where they could enter.
You are providing a food source with the bird seed so as long as they have shelter and a water source, they are perfectly happy! If their nesting site is warm enough, they may just stay outside.
They most you can do if you notice them inside is to set either kill traps or live traps and relocate somewhere but more could always return and likely will if there is food. Be cautious since you are in Baltimore City about attracting rats with the bird seed as well.
What may be better is if you plant native plants that the birds could feed off of. Even if you don't have yard space, you can plant them in containers but will just need to make sure they are watered.
If you would like more information on some plants, let us know your growing conditions: sun/shade, space of planting area, fenced area to protect from any deer or rabbits, soil conditions etc. and we could give you some options.
I do know about rats in the city and keep an eye out for their holes. I have a few native plants in my garden, and my neighbors have even more. And as it turns out, one of the little neighbor girls is expert at those have-a-heart traps and has already caught one mouse and re-located it down to the park. I think she's about to start a mouse re-location service.
So I'll keep the bird feeder going so the mice will have food, and hope their outside nest stays outside. And if not, then I'll call my local mouse-relocation service. And maybe next spring, I'll consider taking down the bird feeder -- there's plenty of food around here, I mostly like looking at the goldfinches.
Thank you so much also for offering the information on growing native plants. My neighbors are good at it and now and then, try to convert me completely.
I really do appreciate this -- your expertise and responsiveness and going-beyond the immediate question and generally excellent advice. I forwarded your email to a couple of my neighbors who always have questions they need authoritative answers to. I'm a real fan of the extension service.
