please help, what made this hole?

[wilddawn]

We found this hole in our rhubarb patch, it's about the size of a ping pong ball, can't see how far it goes but it goes down at a slant. Anyideas appreciated

[Dogghound]

As i said before it probrably the work of a rodent such as Mus musculus house mouse but more likely Apodemus sylvaticus wood mouse which more regularly make burrows such as this.

[wilddawn]

Just googled wood mouse and it looks very cute, is it likely to become a pest?

[wilddawn]

I'm thinking of putting a live trap down to see exactly what it is, any advice on the best method?

[Vixen]

I doubt the mouse will become a pest, may nibble your rubard.

you could set a life trap, but can see the point realy, as it would stress the animal tomuch.

[vole-woman]

Yes, it would be a shame to harm it. Wood mice are sweet and not pests at all.

[wilddawn]

Thanks, I was worried we scare it with a trap. We're going to put some hazel nuts down and see if they get nibbled, I've done some searching on the internet and apparently you can tell if it's a wood mouse by the teeth marks in a hazel nut!

I also found a website that said wood mice are a pest that carry disease simular to rats That had me a bit worried at first because I have a young daughter but I couldn't find anything about them being pests (apart from nibbling fruit/seeds) anywhere else

[Dogghound]

Unless your a farmer or have large amounts of grains & fruits etc in storage, they should not be a problem, alot of rodents carry diseases chances are you have more house mice and brown rats around anyway, i would'nt worry about coming into contact and catching anything from them, basic hygene is all that is needed but im sure you wash your hands after gardening anyway. They are harmless and a great visitor to the garden.

[thunder]

As long as you don't leave the mice in the live trap too long, I shouldn't worry about stressing them! Many mice enter the same trap time after time - doesn't sound to me as if it stresses them! They get a free meal!

henrya

[The Black Rabbit]

Good idea!
Pop a Longworth small mammal trap down, stock it with bedding and food, and see what it is that you've got.
I agree with the post above - this will not unduly stress a mouse, as long as you release it quickly.
TBR.