Disturbed mouse nest

ediblehedge · #1 (**permalink**) 13-08-2010, 12:22 PM

Hello,
I've just joined and can't believe I've only come across these forums today, it's great to be in contact with avid nature lovers!

I have just been in my garage/shed and unfortunately badly disturbed a mouse nest. I could not have been more distructive as I tipped a bag of soil conditioner compost out into a trug and discovered some tiny pink baby mice rolling in shredded paper that had obviously been in a very constructed nest inside the bag. I saw the mother run away into the garden. The babies are about an inch long with their eyes still closed and hairless.

After my shock for a minute, I found a small box and and cut a hole as a door at the ground level, put some shredded paper in and very carefully with gloves sifted the soil to reveal about seven or eight babies which I moved into the middle of box huddled together. I then put a bit more shredded paper on top and some nuts and seeds at the door on a pot saucer.

I went back into the garden to finish what I was doing and then returned to find the mother moving them - Hurray! I thought... I think she was moving them into a big ceramic pot behind the box but I am not sure and left her to it.
My question is - I know I should leave well alone but is there anything else I can do?

Many thanks for your help,
Best wishes
Vicki

healfdan · #2 (**permalink**) 13-08-2010, 02:33 PM

As an animal lover you did all the right things but if your house is close by, come winter the patter of many tiny feet may yet cause you to question your actions. Sorry to sound so cynical but I live in an old house which I share with many unwanted guests, mice being the most troublesome.
Healfdan

paulinemiller10 · #3 (**permalink**) 13-08-2010, 02:42 PM

Welcome to WAB Vicki, So pleased you were able to rescue these poor little mice, it must be awful for the babes suddenly feeling cold and the nest all gone and waiting for mum to arrive, and often they are left to die this way, so glad your baby mice had a happy ending, well done.

I have fed hedgehogs for many years and wood mice have always pinched their food, I have no hedgehogs visiting this year but I always feed the mice and give them fresh water, feeding any wildlife can make problems, the food can attract rats, but you can avoid this by making a small hole in a box just big enough for the mouse to get in and feed in the box that way rats can t take the food, they will also kill the mice.

Wood mice like chopped peanuts best, cake,cheese, fruit and all kinds of grain , mine were also very fond of cooked chicken which I put our for the hedgehogs, I thought it was a strange diet for mice. Pauline.

vole-woman · #4 (**permalink**) 13-08-2010, 02:50 PM

Well done, Vicki.

We live in an old house and have mice in our greenhouse, but they've never tried to join us inside.

ediblehedge · #5 (**permalink**) 13-08-2010, 03:15 PM

Thank you for all the replies so far!

I know we've had them living in the garage/shed for a while now and never had a problem in the house. We have a cat that patrols the house and garden looking for them but I'm glad to say that he's not been catching anything now as he's more senior. I guess if a mouse was in the house though he'd be very keen!