Field mouse
- Order: Rodent
- Life : 18 months
- Color: gray, brown or yellowish
- Length: 10 to 20 cm
Field Mouse Pest Control
Sign of presence
Travelling noise
Field mice are most active at night, and you may hear scratching or moving noises in walls, under floors or in ceilings. These noises are often light but repetitive, especially in quiet areas of the house.
Excrement and droppings
Field mice leave behind excrement resembling small black droppings, often clustered in inconspicuous places. These droppings, about 3 to 6 mm in size, are usually found near food sources, in closets or in their passage areas. If you spot these signs, it indicates recent field mouse activity in your home or grounds.
Bad smells
The presence of field mice is often accompanied by an unpleasant odor. This smell, caused by their droppings and urine, is particularly noticeable in enclosed spaces such as closets, attics or cellars. If a musky or ammoniacal odor persists, this can be a clear indicator of their presence.
Food, plants and crops eaten away
Field mice have a preference for seeds, vegetables and plants. You may notice nibbled vegetables in your pantry or visible damage to your crops or vegetable gardens. This damage is a telltale sign of their activity, especially outdoors or in areas where food is accessible.
Furrows at ground level
Field mice often leave clearly visible tracks on the ground. These grooves appear when they follow regular paths through vegetation or dusty areas. Lying grass or small tunnels in crops are also characteristic signs of their passage.
Stirred up earth and mounds
Outdoors, field mice burrow underground. You can spot areas where the earth seems to be stirred up, or small mounds indicating the entrance to their burrows. These signs are particularly noticeable near gardens, lawns or areas of dense vegetation.
Gnawed wires
Like other rodents, field mice need to gnaw to keep their teeth growing. Electrical cables are often damaged, which can lead to breakdowns or fire hazards. Check exposed wires for bite marks.
Prevention
Caulking
To prevent field mice from entering your home, seal all cracks and openings around doors, windows, ducts and pipes. Use caulking, cement or wire mesh to block their access points.
Cleaning
A clean environment reduces attractants for field mice. Regularly clean cupboards, areas behind furniture and appliances. Remove crumbs and food residues to avoid attracting them.
Food storage
Keep your foodstuffs in airtight jars or containers to prevent field mice from attacking them. This includes dry products such as seeds and cereals, as well as fresh foods left on the counter.
Waste management
Avoid letting garbage bags accumulate. Use garbage bins with tight-fitting lids and empty them regularly. Keep your garbage cans away from entrances to reduce the risk of attracting field mice.
Traps
Mechanical or electronic traps are effective for catching field mice. If you use poisoned bait, be sure to place it out of reach of children and pets. Poison, though practical, must be handled with care.
Vegetation
Outside, cut the lawn regularly and avoid tall grass or dense vegetation. These areas provide ideal hiding places for field mice. By keeping the ground clear, you can considerably reduce the risk of infestation.
