Mouse ID

[daman99]

I opened my compost bin lid today and saw a mouse dart away. I then lifted the bin itself and three largish mice scurried under the fence. They were all a light sandy tan colour. I wondered if these were actually wood mice due to the colour, so I had a look on this site. I'm not sure about the eyes, as they were not especially big in the glimpse I had. However, the bin is under two large sycamore trees which may attract wood mice this time of year.

I don't want them to be house mice, as we have had problems with them getting in our house before. Because our house is 100 yrs old, it is nigh on impossible to keep them out.

So any ideas, wood mice or house mice?

[mh68]

They sound like either Woodmice, or depending on where you live, Yellow necked mice which are similar but a bit larger.House mice tend to have more greyer colouration although they do vary.Theyre also smaller than Wood/Yellow Necked mice so from your description it sounds like one of the latter.

Mark H

[daman99]

If it helps to know, I live in SE Hants

[mh68]

Well, if you live that far south it could be either I`d have thought.Doubtful they`ll be House mice though due to their size as I said, but Woodmice and Yellow necked mice will enter homes too as other people on here will testify

Mark H

[stripee]

Have sonic bleepers plugged in the house, mice (of any type) like to move in in October for the winter. These seem to work to an extent especially if there before any mice have taken up residence

[Dogghound]

For true ID you would need a closer look, a quick glimpse isnt enough, If you house has a history of house mice dont rule them out, Although wood mice are a tiny fraction larger although this varies with individuals size isnt a great way of ID beteen these two species. The yellow necked field mouse is slightly bigger still, although less frequently found in gardens unless they are in wooded rural areas. you may need to look for them and get a better view.

[Meles meles]

Two of the biggest give aways to differentiate mice are;

Size of the ears.
Size of the tail in comparrison to the body.