Twas the night before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas...... when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there. 

By Clement Clarke Moore

As we try and budget for the often costly festive period The weeks running up to Christmas are a good time to stock up and stash away the gifts and tasty treats for the special day but what if when Christmas finally arrives you discover a field mouse has eaten its way into the chocolate Santa, filled it full of loft insulation and set up a very special home for her family. 

Field mice are a common visitor to our homes and out-buildings during the winter months. Sharing your home with mice is not ideal. Despite their cute appearance they are carriers of of viruses and bacteria, such as: Leptospirosis – this is a bacterial disease that is transmitted through wild mice urine.

Like all rodents, mice love to chew. Electric wiring is the main concern.  Keeping mice out is somewhat of a challenge as they are amazing climbers and borrowers.

Did you know that if you can poke a pencil in a hole a mouse could potentially go through it too. Once in, they will quickly establish a home and could have between 5-10 litters a year with each litter producing an advantage of 6-8 pups. The good news is Field mice are relatively easy to trap with a bit of professional help.   

Our Christmas mouse was humanely caught and re-housed in an old garden shed complete with her chocolate home.

Merry Christmas Mrs Mouse