Mice are small, highly adaptable rodents found in diverse environments. As omnivores, their diet consists of both plant and animal matter. This ability to consume a wide range of foods is a significant factor in their widespread presence and survival.
A Mouse’s Diverse Diet
In their natural habitats, mice exhibit a broad dietary range, consuming whatever food sources are available. Plant-based materials form a substantial part of their diet, including seeds, grains, and various forms of vegetation. Seeds and grains are particularly favored for their high carbohydrate and fat content, providing essential energy. Wild mice also consume leaves and stems, which supply necessary vitamins and minerals, such as those found in clover.
Fruits, such as berries and apples, are another important component, offering vitamins, minerals, and natural sugars. Additionally, wild mice supplement their plant-based intake with insects like beetles, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, which are crucial protein sources, especially during breeding seasons. They may also occasionally consume small vertebrates or carrion. Their rapid metabolism necessitates frequent feeding, driving their opportunistic foraging behavior.
Household Food Sources
When mice inhabit human structures, their diet readily adapts to available food sources. They are highly opportunistic feeders, consuming nearly anything they find. Common household items that attract mice include dry foods such as pasta, bread, and crackers. Pantry staples like cereals, grains, and nuts are also frequently targeted, often accessed by gnawing through packaging.
Mice are attracted to foods high in carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, including baked goods, chocolate, and sugary snacks. Pet food, whether dry kibble or moist varieties, is another significant draw, especially when left in accessible bowls or unsealed containers. Beyond direct consumption, mice may gnaw on non-food items like electrical wiring, cardboard, paper, and insulation. This is primarily for nesting material or to create pathways, as they do not derive nutritional value from these.
Foods to Avoid for Mice
Certain foods and substances are harmful or toxic to mice and should be avoided. Rodenticides are highly toxic chemicals designed to kill rodents, often mixed with food-based baits, and are lethal if ingested. Common human foods like chocolate are toxic to mice due to harmful compounds, which can cause severe health issues and even death.
Grapes and raisins are also poisonous, potentially leading to kidney damage. Other harmful items include avocado pits and skin, fruit seeds, and foods high in fat or sugar, which can lead to digestive problems or obesity. Dairy products, citrus fruits, and moldy foods can also cause digestive upset or illness in mice.