How to Keep Field Mice Away – 8 Must-Try Tips
Field mice seem cute, but if they get into your fields, they create disaster. They gnaw at crops, dig burrows, and make your fields attractive for other pests. Once they fully infest, it becomes hard to get rid of them. This is why taking quick action is the best thing you can ever do.
In this guide, we will discuss why mice invade fields and provide you with 8 practical ways to keep them at bay.
Why Mice Invade Fields?
Field mice invade in search of food, shelter, or warmth. Open fields have every resource for mice, being the best habitat for them. In fields, they burrow around crops looking for grains, vegetables, or seeds. When these mice live in tall grasses, bushes, or debris, they act as a shield from preying birds.
Mice prefer to come close to human habitats during the cold months in search of warmth and food. If there is anything in your field, such as woodpiles, waste, or leftover food, that makes it even more attractive for them.
8 Tips to Keep Mice Away from Fields
1. Keep Your Field Trimmed
Mice avoid open spaces, which exposes them to predators like hawks and foxes. Weeds and tall grass provide cover for mice to move freely. Trimming your fields will limit their hiding spaces and make the area less attractive.
A well-kept field with short grass reduces the risk of mice coming in, so regularly mowing and trimming along fences and pathways will help keep them away. The less shelter they have, the more likely they will find some other place to nest.
2. Clean Waste Before It Piles Up
Piled-up waste is the best shelter for mice in fields. These rodents use the warmth and protection in leaves, branches, and other organic materials for nesting. The longer the waste sits, the more attractive it becomes.
From time to time, cleaning waste is a good option to keep mice away in fields. Eliminate waste leaves, grass clippings, and plant debris as soon as possible. The more the area is kept clean, the less comfortable it will be for mice.
3. Always Clean the Compost Pile
Composting is good for the soil. However, if not managed well, it encourages mice to invade. Decaying food scraps and organic waste provide easy snacks for rodents. Moreover, an uncovered compost heap becomes a feeding ground for mice and other pests.
Sealing the compost bins to stop pests from entering is an effective method. Rodent-proof and heavy-duty plastic compost tumblers work best in preventing rodents while aiding rapid composting. Turning off compost regularly also helps in preventing pest infestation.
4. Keep Woodpiles Away from Your Home
When stacking firewood, keep it as far away as possible from the house or fields. Since stacked wood provides warmth, it may become a place for nesting sites for mice. Keeping the woodpile close to the property invites mice to get into your house.
Storing woodpiles at least 20 feet from your house minimizes the risk of rodent presence. If the space is small, stack it against an outdoor shed. Also, make sure that the area around the wood pile is free of debris to minimize rodent activity.
5. Keep Your Home Clean
Weeds and bushes around your house provide an excellent shelter for mice. Overgrown vegetation allows them to hide and move freely between the field and your house. Keep a gap of at least two feet between the plants and your home.
Besides, surrounding your home with rocks and concrete will discourage mice from nesting near it. Without direct access to food and shelter, it will discourage mice from nesting in your field and home. Besides, cleaning the surroundings will further minimize the chances of infestation.
6. Don’t Let Rats in Your Trash Bin
A non-secured trash bin can become a perfect feeding spot for rodents. Make sure to use a metal trash bin since a mouse can easily chew plastic and get access to food scraps. If they get access to your trash bin, they will come again and again.
To deter mice from foraging into your bin, use heavy-duty rubbish bins with tightly fitted lids. Regularly check your bins to ensure that they have no small holes, as mice can fit into the tiniest holes.
If your bins have tiny holes or cracks, replace them immediately. This little effort will help you a lot to keep your fields and home safe from mice. If mice always get into your bin, you can leave food that kills mice in it.
7. Always Plant Vegetables a Little Far from the House
Vegetable gardens attract mice as they provide easy food sources. If planted close to the house, the chances of the rodents getting in become higher. Keeping as much distance as possible between crops and the house is a good way to avoid infestations.
A vegetable garden should be planted away from the house. Using raised garden beds with barriers will also help in keeping mice away from your crops. Also, it makes it easier to maintain your garden.
8. Inspect Young Trees in Your Field
Mice love chewing on tree bark, especially that of young saplings. Over time, this may damage the tree or even kill it. This is why, overlooking mice can may cause trouble or even destroy your young plants.
Wrap the trunks of young trees with wire mesh or plastic guards. This will prevent the mice from gnawing at the bark. Remember to observe the trees for signs of rodent damage. If you notice any sign, take action immediately before the issue becomes too serious.
Conclusion
Complete mice control in your fields requires effective preventive measures and regular checks. If you trim grass often, eliminate waste, and secure food sources, your field will be less attractive to rodents. Taking little steps like using sealed bins and protecting young trees make a lot of difference in controlling rodents’ presence.
FAQs
How do I know if I have field mice in my field?
Some major signs are little burrows, gnawed crops, and tiny droppings. When you notice gnaw marks on the plants or mice running around, you must take immediate action.
How can I keep rodents away from fields naturally?
Try peppermint oil or planting scented herbs in your field. Also, you can keep mice predators like barn owls in your field to keep mice away.
How many times should I trim my field to keep mice away?
Mowing your field once every week will reduce spots to hide for rodents. Also, make sure to keep grass short and remove overgrown vegetation.
Don’t Let Mice Ruin Your Fields, Call Professionals Now!
Mice may look like tiny creatures but they can destroy your fields if you don’t take any action. Want to get rid of them? Contact us now and let our expert pest control team handle it professionally!