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Florida Critters: Mice   arrow

Florida Critters: Mice

Well, I had an interesting day yesterday. I live right near the woods, so wild animal encounters aren’t uncommon. But walking outside and seeing two baby mice curled up on my driveway with no mother in sight was still unexpected. But like any of my fine readers would do, I took care of it. I scooped them both up into a little box and rehydrated them as best I could. After that, I ended up driving around for hours to find a place that would take them and not just put them down. But eventually, I got them to a wildlife rehabilitator which was all good in the end.

With all that in mind, I’ve decided on the focus of my article today. And that focus will be rodents.

Florida Critters: Rodents As Pets

I’m sure you all asked the same question while reading the above paragraph. But there was a reason that I didn’t just keep the mice. Not only was I unable to really provide with them as they need, but they also carry a risk. And no, that risk isn’t to you. When you take on a rodent as pet you become the guardian of a potentially invasive species. Am I saying you shouldn’t get a rodent as a pet? No. In fact, I’m not even saying that wild rodents raised from birth are bad pets. Sure they’ll always be just a tinge less domesticated, but there isn’t a huge difference from all accounts. But not only are they hard to take care of than you’d think, but if they get out and form a breeding pair then you’ve added to our states plague of invasive species.

Florida Critters: Signs Of Mouse Infestation

  • Droppings – Mice will excrete 50/ 80 droppings a night, small and dark (approx. 3 – 8 mm in length), scattered randomly, check inside or on cupboard tops or along floorboards.
  • Grease marks – Caused by their bodies brushing against walls, floors, and floorboards on regular routes. Look for dark smears around holes or around corners.
  • Urine pillars – In established or heavy infestations, body grease, combined with dirt and urine, builds up into small mounds, up to 2 inches high and half an inch wide.
  • Scratching noises – Often at night when mice are most active. Listen for noises between partition walls, under floorboards, in false ceilings, basements, and lofts.
  • Nests – Using easy to shred materials, mice then line the nest with other soft materials. Check lofts, suspended ceilings, cavity walls, under floorboards and behind fridges, under stoves and cabinets.
  • Tracks footprints – Dusty environments such as unused lofts and basements can show up rodent tracks and tail marks. To check for activity, sprinkle flour, talcum powder or china clay and check the next day for fresh tracks.
  • Live or dead mice – Spotting a mouse during the daytime can be an indication of a heavy infestation.
  • Strong smell – Mice urinate frequently and their urine has a strong ammonia-like smell. The stronger the smell the closer you are to mice activity. This smell can linger for a long time (even after an infestation has been removed).

Florida Critters: What to Do

If you find a mouse infestation, humanely trapping the mice and then moving forward to contact a rescue or wildlife rehabilitator is the best thing to do. Don’t forget that these are just animals trying to live their lives as well as you. The diseases they carry are often overblown by the media, so make sure to contact someone not scared to actually trap and relocate these critters in the wild if you’re unable to do it yourself.