Field Mice in Garden, Trap or Leave Alone?

Hello all

I saw a Couple of Field Mice in my Back Garden Yesterday, it looks as though they came from the Neighbours via under the Fence Gravel Boards.

Are Field Mice a problem in the Garden or should I just leave them alone?

I am loathe to Kill them, however, I could probably Trap and Relocate them if needed.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

 

I don't mind field mice as I don't see they cause any damage - and they're really cute!
I see one now and then whizzing across the garden, as long as they stay in the garden that's fine.
Rats are a very different matter!

 

I have them on a fairly permanent basis. They don't do any harm.
Some people find them a problem if they're sowing things like peas or beans as they can eat the seed, but the ones here just climb into the bird feeders [mine are all in purpose built cages] and eat the dropped seed, or actually use the feeders. They're often out during the day as well.

As @Pete8 says - not teh same as rats, which are not desirable.

 

One for the mouse, one for the crow. One to rot, and one to grow.

 

I remember when I was a lad - a long time ago - my dad used to soak runner bean seeds in paraffin and red lead before sowing to deter mice.
YIKES!! now I know why all my hair has fallen out

 

I'd live and let live, they are unlikely to do any harm in your garden.

 

I find they get into my garage over winter and steal some of the bird feed I keep in there, but I don't bother about them.

They have a very short life expectacy around here due to all the cats.

 

I found a poor little drowned one in a bucket of rainwater a few months ago. Then a couple of days later, I saw one crossing the lawn to the bird feeder, where it disappeared into the clump of long grass at the base. I suspect it had built itself a very convenient nest there!

 

Field mice are very attractive to look at but there is no point in trying to sow peas, beans or sweet peas in the ground. They will find them and eat the peas or chew the new shoots just as they break out of the beans. Along with the shrews and voles. The only way I can grow them is to start them off in pots indoors and plant them out when they have some top growth and a good root system. The plants are then ignored.
My cat used to keep me supplied with pressies on a regular basis when she was younger, not so much now she is 17 years old. I am sure a lot of the small brown furries provide the resident buzzard's babies with a tasty snack or two.

 

I sow my peas and beans in modules or pots because otherwise mice would dig them up and eat them. I have known them to climb up and eat sweetcorn cobs. Obviously, their presence (and that of any other rodent), means that your veg needs a good wash, even if it’s organic. Apart from that, they do no harm as far as I know. Certainly in a flower garden, they shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Hello all

Thanks for the Replies.

So, the consensus seems to be that in a Flower Garden they will do no harm which was my Worry.

I do not Grow any Vegetables so I shall just leave them be.

Thanks

Kevin