DIY Builds
Photo by Tranmautritam Pexels Logo Photo: Tranmautritam

Is it normal to have mice in your garden?

It isn't unusual to have mice in the garden, especially when there is a ready supply of food. If you wonder, “Will mice eat my vegetable garden?” the answer is a resounding “yes.” Mice are opportunistic and vegetable damage is one of the common mouse garden problems.

Do squirrels live in wood piles?
Do squirrels live in wood piles?

Habitat Modification. Ground squirrels often burrow beneath long-standing piles of prunings, wood, or rock, or use them as harborage.

Read More »
Why do builders put in soffits?
Why do builders put in soffits?

Soffit definition They conceal those raw, unfinished rafter tails from view for curb appeal. On a practical level, soffit prevents moisture from...

Read More »

By: Bonnie L. Grant

Mice in the garden are a nuisance and a potential health threat due to the diseases these pests carry. It isn’t unusual to have mice in the garden, especially when there is a ready supply of food. If you wonder, “Will mice eat my vegetable garden?” the answer is a resounding “yes.” Mice are opportunistic and vegetable damage is one of the common mouse garden problems.

Identifying Mouse Damage in the Garden

Identifying mouse presence is the first step in starting garden mouse control. Mice eat cereal grains but are also attracted to other vegetation. They eat small amounts in a sporadic fashion, causing contamination and other mouse garden problems. Especially take a look at corn and squashes. There may be small scrape marks from their teeth. Mice are most often spotted at night or early morning but are sometimes out in the daytime. They build nests of grass and other material in hidden spaces. Mice in the garden may be 5 ½ to 7 inches (14-18 cm.) long and are a brown to gray color.

How to Get Rid of Mice in the Garden

Traps and bait are the most common methods of garden mouse control. Before you choose how to get rid of mice in the garden, consider the other factors affected by baits and traps. The family pet can get injured by traps set out in the open, so be certain to set them under a deck or crawlspace where domestic animals can’t contact the devices. Baits should be used in pet-proof housings to prevent Fido from coming in contact with the powerful poisons. Deciding how to get rid of mice in the garden should take into consideration the safety of children and four-legged friends. Outdoor rodent control needs to start with an exterior cleanup. Remove piles of debris where mice can hide and nest. Rake up any debris that creates cover for the mice. Good cultural practices can greatly reduce mouse garden problems. The outside of your house needs to be completely sealed so the mice do not escape into the interior of your home. After clean-up has been accomplished, it is time to set the mouse garden control you have selected. Traps come in several styles, but a snap trap is the most humane and effective. The traps are set in areas where mouse garden problems have been spotted. Bait the trap with gauze saturated with peanut butter, which will catch in the rodent’s teeth and delay it long enough for the trap to work. Place traps every 5 to 10 feet (1.5-3 m.) and replace the bait every few days to keep it fresh. Baits are an excellent way to reduce mice in the garden and protect your produce from their eating habits. Most baits contain an anticoagulant, which should be used in a bait station to prevent children and pets from coming in contact with the poison. Most baits require the mice to feed for several days before they are effective. Brodifacoum and bromadiolone are fast-acting poisons that will provide garden mouse control after only one feeding.

If all else fails, you can get a cat.

What do girls do when bored at night?
What do girls do when bored at night?

What to Do When You Are Bored at Night Build something. Try something new. Experiment in the kitchen. Online classes. Journaling. Journaling can...

Read More »
How thick should shed floor be?
How thick should shed floor be?

The best concrete thickness for a shed tends to be 4 inches which is the standard size used for most residential concrete patios, walkways and...

Read More »

Should my raised garden bed have a bottom?

Planter bottoms usually are slatted, with some type of semi-permeable cloth barrier which permits drainage. Raised beds, however, do not have bottoms; they are open to the ground, which offers the benefit of permitting plant roots to go further into the ground for available nutrients.

The Benefits of Raised Bed Gardening

Raised garden beds (also called garden boxes) are great for growing small plots of veggies and flowers. They keep pathway weeds from your garden soil, prevent soil compaction, provide good drainage, and serve as a barrier to pests such as slugs and snails. The sides of the beds keep your valuable garden soil from eroding or washing away during heavy rains. In many regions, gardeners are able to plant earlier in the season because the soil is warmer and better drained when it is above ground level. Raised beds are also ideal for square foot gardening. Raised garden beds are available in a variety of different materials, or they can be made with relative ease. By raising the soil level, raised garden beds also reduce back strain when bending over to tend the bed. This is especially helpful for older gardeners or people with bad backs. And if the beds are built well, the gardener can sit on the edge of the bed while weeding. For some gardeners this is the biggest benefit of all. Raised beds are not the same as garden planters. Planters are elevated containers which have bottoms to prevent the soil from falling out. Planter bottoms usually are slatted, with some type of semi-permeable cloth barrier which permits drainage. Raised beds, however, do not have bottoms; they are open to the ground, which offers the benefit of permitting plant roots to go further into the ground for available nutrients.

What is the best storage building to buy?
What is the best storage building to buy?

The Best Sheds of 2022 HOMSPARK Horizontal Storage Shed. Best Overall. Suncast Tremont 8 ft. ... Best Bang for the Buck. Arrow 10-ft x 8-ft High...

Read More »
What are 3 negative features of a tiny house?
What are 3 negative features of a tiny house?

Disadvantages of Tiny Houses Less Living Space. A tiny house doesn't have room for a full-sized luxury kitchen or bathroom. ... Less Storage Space....

Read More »
Why do people not build houses with concrete?
Why do people not build houses with concrete?

Wood Homes are Faster to Build than Concrete Many homes have parts built in a factory, and the parts are then transported to the site and...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »
How much does it cost to put toilet and shower in a shed?
How much does it cost to put toilet and shower in a shed?

And if you're looking to trick out your shed with a wet bar or convenient bathroom? Plumbing is an even more costly addition, starting at $1,000 to...

Read More »