Mice are strongly attracted to and consume wheat, oats, corn, and other cereal grains, which form a primary component of their diet in both wild and domestic environments. These small rodents are classified as granivores, or seed-eaters, and seek out these resources for survival. The presence of grains is a significant attractant that draws mice into homes and storage areas, especially as environmental conditions change.
Why Mice Prefer Grains and Seeds
Grains and seeds are highly desirable to mice because they offer a concentrated source of energy necessary for their high metabolism. These food items are rich in carbohydrates, providing the quick caloric density that supports constant activity and rapid reproduction. Locating these energy-dense foods is particularly important as colder weather approaches, prompting mice to seek indoor shelter and establish food caches.
Mice demonstrate a preference for certain grain characteristics, often favoring softer varieties of wheat kernels over harder ones. This preference suggests that texture influences their consumption choices, with softer grains being easier to process and consume efficiently. Once they access a supply, mice use their sharp incisors to gnaw through soft packaging materials like cardboard and thin plastic to reach the grains inside.
The small size of individual grains facilitates hoarding, a crucial survival behavior. Mice collect and carry numerous seeds back to hidden nest sites to create a secure food reserve, minimizing exposure to predators and environmental dangers. This behavior is noticeable as mice prepare for periods of scarcity, leading to small piles of food found in secluded areas like wall voids or under appliances.
The Broader Diet of Common Mouse Species
While grains are a preferred food source, mice are biologically omnivorous and are highly opportunistic feeders, meaning they consume almost anything available to them. This dietary flexibility is a major factor in their success as pests in human habitats. When high-quality grains are not easily found, house mice readily turn to household waste and other accessible scraps to meet their nutritional needs.
Mice actively seek out foods high in fat and protein to supplement their carbohydrate-heavy grain diet. They are attracted to items such as bacon, butter, meat scraps, and greasy cooking residue. This attraction is why foods like peanut butter are often successful baits, as they offer a balanced mix of fat, protein, and sugar.
In addition to fats and proteins, mice consume insects, fruits, and vegetables, demonstrating a diverse palate that shifts based on availability. The ability to adapt their diet to whatever is at hand, from garden produce to pet food, makes them persistent in trying to enter and inhabit human structures. Securing only grains is not enough to deter a mouse population.
Securing Food Sources and Deterrence
Preventing a mouse infestation relies significantly on eliminating accessible food sources, especially grains and seeds. All dry goods, including wheat flour, cereal, rice, and pet food, should be immediately transferred out of their original packaging upon purchase. Mice can easily chew through paper bags and thin plastic to contaminate the contents.
The most effective storage solutions are containers made of thick, hard materials that mice cannot gnaw through, such as metal, glass, or heavy-duty plastic with tight-fitting lids. Even a small breach in a container can allow a mouse to access and contaminate the entire contents. Storing food in these secure, non-porous containers is a primary step in deterrence.
Beyond food storage, eliminating entry points into the structure is essential for long-term prevention. Mice can squeeze through incredibly small openings, requiring a gap no larger than 6 to 12 millimeters (the size of a dime). Sealing cracks, holes, and gaps around utility lines, vents, and foundations with gnaw-proof materials like steel wool, hardware cloth, or concrete mortar denies mice access to the indoor food supply. Maintaining a clean environment by regularly sweeping up crumbs and promptly disposing of trash in sealed bins further reduces attraction.