We have all seen the cartoons and heard that mice love cheese, but are mice really attracted to cheese? While it makes for good television, cheese is actually not a mouse’s favorite food. Mice will eat just about everything; however, tests have shown, that mice actually prefer sweeter foods that are high in carbohydrates. What foods do these little rodents gravitate to? Let’s review.
If Mice Aren’t Really Attracted to Cheese, What do They Like?
For as long as most of us can remember mice and cheese seem to go simultaneously together in photos, TV shows, and even in advice that people may give for catching these critters, but the truth is, cheese is not the best bait for these sneaky rodents.
As mentioned above, mice actually prefer sweeter foods that are high in carbohydrates. Mice would truly like something more like peanut butter, candy, honey, or dried fruit. Setting a mousetrap with cheese is not the most likely bait to succeed, especially if the rodents have been raiding your cereal or pantry for any amount of time. While mice will eat cheese, because they will have a feast on just about everything they can find in your home, they don’t prefer it.
According to BBC News, mice don’t really like cheese at all. Cheese has a rather strong odor and mice notice this. If the rodent is hungry enough, it may nibble on cheese, but the scent would not lure them to a trap. Mice respond to the smell, texture, and taste of food, and cheese is something that would not be available to them in their natural environment; therefore, not being attractive to them when you are trying to draw them in.
While mice aren’t really attracted to cheese, they do love cereal and other sweet foods. Mice seem to not be able to resist fruits and berries, pet food, nuts, meat (yes, they love bacon as much as most of us), grains and seeds, plants, and more.
Mice Prevention Tips
With fall right around the corner, soon mice and other rodents will be at the top of the list of pests you may find in your home and business. When the days get colder and shorter, mice and other rodents start to prepare for the weather and seek shelter inside Ohio and Southeast Michigan homes and businesses. These rodents don’t hibernate like other animals, so when the outside gets less than desirable, they, like us, look for a cozy place to go. Homes and businesses can make the ideal place for these pesky rodents to spend the chilly season.
While mice may not be attracted cheese, they are attracted to your home. The good news is, you can do some things to “mouse proof” your home or business so you don’t have to worry about what these critters will eat and can just keep them out.
- Seal Cracks and Holes: Mice can fit through a crack or hole one-fourth of an inch or larger (about the width of a pencil and/or pen), because of this, it is important to check around your home or business for even the smallest of crevices that are open to the outdoors. Check for holes in window and door screens, gaps around windows and doors, cracks around your foundation, vent seals, and where phone, cable, gas, and electric lines enter into your home or business.
- Remove Food Sources: Ensure that all food around your home or business is in sealed containers and not easy for these rodents to get to. This includes pet food. As we have reviewed before, mice are common pantry pests, so you should inspect food bags and boxes for rips and tears before you store them in your cabinets. Never leave food out, not even in the trash, and be sure to clean up counters and vacuum or mop up any crumbs, spills and residue.
- Keep it Clean and Tidy: Mice love clutter and use it to create their nests. Don’t welcome them into your home or business by giving them a place to build a home of their own. Keep clutter at a minimum and properly store old clothing, bedding, magazines, boxes, etc. Providing these rodents with materials to create their nests, will only make them feel more invited.
- Clean Up Outdoors: The exterior of your home or business can also welcome these little rodents in. Things like tree limbs that lead to your windows or roof, vines, wood piles near the exterior, and overgrown grass and shrubs can be welcome mats for mice to come inside. Trim foliage near your home or business, as fall sets in, and look for any items close to the structure that could give the rodents an easy entry point.
At Delving Pest Control we know that a rodent infestation can be a major nuisance and it can take several treatments for rodent remediation. Delving will come out and inspect your structure to identify the level of infestation and recommend corrective action plans to eradicate your rodent problem fast. Trust Delving Pest Control to eliminate your unwanted rodents discreetly.
