Do mice eat wood? While this question might be first uttered wishfully given the potential alternative – termites, mice may indeed be the cause of wood that looks chewed or gnawed on. Unlike termites for whom wood is a primary food source, mice don’t eat the wood in various constructions for that reason, although they sometimes eat tree bark or roots. Below, learn more about why mice might chew on the wood in your home and how your local rodent and mice control experts can help you prevent or remove a mouse infestation.
Do Mice Eat Wood to Survive?
Eating or rather chewing and gnawing on wood does contribute to a mouse’s survival. As they aren’t overly picky when it comes to their food, mice also aren’t selective about the wood they attack, though softer woods and those with greater moisture and insects may be particularly appealing. From their health to their habitat, here are 4 reasons why mice often chew wood to support their own well-being and even that of their growing families.
- Access: Do mice eat wood to create or enlarge an entryway into your home or garage? Yes, they sure do. Therefore, even well-fortified structures benefit from routine rodent control such as inspections and other preventative maintenance. Even the smallest opening can become an entrance for mice, and they’ll put a little extra effort into that access to find a warm, safe shelter.
- Shelter: Cats, foxes, hawks and owls are only a few of the predators in search of mice for their next meal. Given the frequency with which they are hunted, mice try to find a location that offers protection from these animals as well as the elements. Garages, sheds and homes appeal to mice because they offer this security often in addition to a warmer environment and more available food options and water sources.
- Tooth care: A mouse’s teeth don’t ever stop growing. Consequently, gnawing on materials like wood helps mice keep their incisors manageable and useful in length, instead of directly causing them injury or indirectly resulting in starvation. Unfortunately, mice will also chew on many other products to care for their teeth, including insulation, electrical wiring and other parts in your home.
- Nesting needs: Paper or cardboard can be easier for mice to shred, but they will also use wood particles if convenient. As with their food choices, they’ll use whatever is around, including your insulation, to create a warm and cozy nest.
How Do You Prevent Mice from Eating Wood?
Trying to catch or even identify whatever critter has been nibbling on your apple tree or blueberry bush can be a challenge. However, property owners possess more power to prevent pests inside, including mice. So, how do you prevent mice from eating the wood in your home? Consult the mouse control specialist near you or try one or more of the following strategies:
- Employ exclusion and sealing tactics. Whether performed by pest removal experts or on your own, it’s important to check for any holes or openings on all levels of your home, essentially from the foundation through any attic vent features. After uncovering these potential access points, material like metal may be more able to withstand curious mice and their teeth.
- Completing yard clean-up can help reduce and relocate any nearby mice. For example, mulch or piles of leaves and twigs can serve as nesting spots. Especially if they are located near your home, accumulated yard debris may provide attractive places for mice to reside.
- Try natural solutions. Although these remedies may only temporarily repel mice and will need regular refreshing, they may offer some support in the deterrent process. However, using essential oils and plants with off-putting smells for pests may also aid in keeping other intruders away from homes and gardens.
- Make your home less appealing to mice! In addition to sealing off openings around doorframes and fixing broken screens, make sure human and pet food isn’t easily available to mice on exploratory expeditions. Especially in colder months when food may be scarce, those dropped kibble pieces or crumbs from your child’s afternoon snack may look pretty enticing to a hungry mouse. Remember: mice are more than capable of chewing through thinner plastic and paper packaging to get to those nuts or grains in the pantry too! Therefore, it can be helpful to choose sturdier containers for food storage.
- Remove the mice, if they make it into your home. The other four recommendations can help with prevention, but once a mouse is present, it’s time to explore the best way to get rid of mice such as using one of the several possible trapping options.
At Eliminate ‘Em, we understand that you may not want to figure out how to catch a mouse on your own or aren’t sure how to resolve a more sizable rodent infestation. For over 35 years, we have been providing homeowners across the Northeast with pest control prevention and removal. Contact our skilled team today to take advantage of our knowledge and experience if you have concerns about mice or need inspection or removal services. Have a pest control emergency? Our licensed technicians are available 24/7, so call us today for immediate assistance or to schedule a future appointment!
