Identify a mouse

TheUnderfaker

Can anyone help identify these little guys? I've caught 3 so far in my garden shed using a homemade catch and release trap. I've no idea what they are though. A quick google would suggest the may be field mice?

Any tips to get rid?

Stigura

Apodemus sylvaticus. 'Wood Mouse'. I love them! Great little things. They like to gather treasures and store them in their nests.

TheUnderfaker

They're very cute little things alright. As I'm releasing them in the local park - Does that mean they'll have a nest somewhere where they've stored a load of food? Surely that'll attract more of them. Should I try to find the nest?

Stigura

I'm afraid dumping them in the park will likely kill them as effectively as a hammer. They won't know where they are. They'll be exposed. First predator along will have them.

If ye hell bent on getting rid of them? Use humane, neck break, traps. Kill them quick and clean.

Personally speaking? I Hate ever catching them, when I set for house mice. Poddies just don't bring the level of issues that Mus does. If I had them in my shed? I'd leave them alone and just enjoy them.

Graces7

On the North isle i lived a decade on, I had a mouse came in so tame. It sat on the printer watching me type... Even though I had a house full of cats. I hesitated then carefully picked it up by the tail. and took it outside to release it.

The following day saw a plague of mice in the cottage.... took weeks and many fatalities to sort it. They were in the oven, in the central heating boiler, on the draining board. It got quite unnerving.

Must have gone home and told all his family I was a soft touch!

I did try the humane trap but they learned to go back the way they came and exit the way they came in.

TheUnderfaker

Graces7 wrote: »

On the North isle i lived a decade on, I had a mouse came in so tame. It sat on the printer watching me type... Even though I had a house full of cats. I hesitated then carefully picked it up by the tail. and took it outside to release it.

The following day saw a plague of mice in the cottage.... took weeks and many fatalities to sort it. They were in the oven, in the central heating boiler, on the draining board. It got quite unnerving.

Must have gone home and told all his family I was a soft touch!

I did try the humane trap but they learned to go back the way they came and exit the way they came in.

That's what I was afraid of. I don't mind having a couple in my garden/shed scampering about.... I've an issue with 30 of them living there!

Caught 5 so far and released in what I believe to be a safe spot from aerial predators with plenty of bugs around to feed on too. I've left them with some dog nuts sheltered relatively nearby too in case they're struggling for some food in their new surroundings.

These guys have a 90% mortality rate in the wild as far as the internet seems to believe. If they fall victim to a predator then nature still wins at the end of the day.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

TheUnderfaker wrote: »

That's what I was afraid of. I don't mind having a couple in my garden/shed scampering about.... I've an issue with 30 of them living there!

Caught 5 so far and released in what I believe to be a safe spot from aerial predators with plenty of bugs around to feed on too. I've left them with some dog nuts sheltered relatively nearby too in case they're struggling for some food in their new surroundings.

These guys have a 90% mortality rate in the wild as far as the internet seems to believe. If they fall victim to a predator then nature still wins at the end of the day.

It's a wood mouse. You won't get the infestations in your house, that you could with a House Mouse.

So, relax and enjoy.

TheUnderfaker

Jaime Purple Trolley wrote: »

It's a wood mouse. You won't get the infestations in your house, that you could with a House Mouse.

So, relax and enjoy.

Up to 6 caught now. If it was just "a wood mouse" I wouldn't have a problem. I've a very small garden with a very small shed that now appears to be infested with them. I'd enjoy one or 2 - Not 6+

They can take their chances elsewhere.

anacc

How do you tell the difference between a wood mouse and a house mouse?

In winter we get a lot of mice that come in through the attic and then down through the walls along pipes. During the winter I set a series of traps in the attic along the path the mice seem to take (I can hear them during the night). One night I caught 5 mice but generally it's 1-2 per night. I'd be interested to know if they are wood or house mice (I'm assuming the latter).

Before anybody suggests it though, I have sealed up pretty much every single gap I can find with either expanding foam or silicone sealant and still can't stop the feckers getting in!!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

anacc wrote: »

How do you tell the difference between a wood mouse and a house mouse?

In winter we get a lot of mice that come in through the attic and then down through the walls along pipes. During the winter I set a series of traps in the attic along the path the mice seem to take (I can hear them during the night). One night I caught 5 mice but generally it's 1-2 per night. I'd be interested to know if they are wood or house mice (I'm assuming the latter).

Before anybody suggests it though, I have sealed up pretty much every single gap I can find with either expanding foam or silicone sealant and still can't stop the feckers getting in!!

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/01/types-of-uk-mice/