Bird box for mice?

[~T~]

Ok so the bird box I put up a few years back has never really been used probably due to unsuitable positioning. I think it was letting in rain as in the first year wasps moved in and when I got round to removing the nest (other family members were a bit scared/freaked out) the colony seemed to have died because the nest was all soggy. The second year blue tits started a nest then abandoned it (possibly due to the rain or wasps moving in AGAIN). Anyhoo now that I know how best to position a box im going to get 2 new ones and sight them more suitably. So I was thinking about using my old weather beaten one for mice. There is a large clump of clematis at the corner of my garden that climbs up the fence. If I put it in there (maybe even attached to the base of the fence) do you think wood mice would use it? Theres plenty of spilt seed from the bird feeders for them to eat.

[~T~]

Also I know theres the obvious problem of getting mice in the house which has happened in the past but as far as I know we blocked all the entry places (havent had any for over a year). But would mice pose a threat to eggs/nestlings in in the bird boxes (if I get any that is).

[healfdan]

Hi
If your old nest box is still leaking I cannot see wood mice bothering with it. They like good cover and dry conditions. But if you are into invertebrates, there is a good chance that a few species of garden beasties will use it as a squat.

[~T~]

Originally Posted by healfdan

Hi
If your old nest box is still leaking I cannot see wood mice bothering with it. They like good cover and dry conditions. But if you are into invertebrates, there is a good chance that a few species of garden beasties will use it as a squat.

It's not so much leaking it's just where I had it positioned the rain could easily come in the entrance. In amongst the climbers I think it be pretty dry. Though im happy for pretty much anything to use it (well...maybe not wasps). Is there some kind of bedding that attracts bumble bees? I seem to remember reading a thread on here about someone who set up all sorts of feeding stations and loft insulation mentioned. I could spare some loft insulation.

[~T~]

Ok so I cleaned up the bird box and put some shredded white paper inside with some bird food and even fashioned a rain proof roof using a section of an old BBQ cover. I have positioned it deep in the base of the climbers slightly off the ground so hopefully something will make use of it

[thunder]

Originally Posted by ~T~

Also I know theres the obvious problem of getting mice in the house which has happened in the past but as far as I know we blocked all the entry places (havent had any for over a year). But would mice pose a threat to eggs/nestlings in in the bird boxes (if I get any that is).

I've never heard of Wood Mice predating nestlings, but as they are opportunistic feeders, it may occasionally happen. I don't think them being in your 'mouse box' will affect the chances of it happening.

henrya

[thunder]

Originally Posted by ~T~

It's not so much leaking it's just where I had it positioned the rain could easily come in the entrance. In amongst the climbers I think it be pretty dry. Though im happy for pretty much anything to use it (well...maybe not wasps). Is there some kind of bedding that attracts bumble bees? I seem to remember reading a thread on here about someone who set up all sorts of feeding stations and loft insulation mentioned. I could spare some loft insulation.

It is often said that old mouse nests attract Bumblebees, but whether this is true or not, I'm not sure. Bumblebees may nest in old mouse nests, but whether they are attracted by the smell of mice, or just like to use the same type of hole, I'm not sure.

henrya

[thunder]

Originally Posted by ~T~

Ok so I cleaned up the bird box and put some shredded white paper inside with some bird food and even fashioned a rain proof roof using a section of an old BBQ cover. I have positioned it deep in the base of the climbers slightly off the ground so hopefully something will make use of it

Must be a luxury home for something now, even if it's only Earwigs. Let us know what happens!

henrya

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by thunder

I've never heard of Wood Mice predating nestlings, but as they are opportunistic feeders, it may occasionally happen.
henrya

Woodmice can be a considerable problem to certain woodland bird species, they will predate chicks and eggs, even dormice will feed on chicks. This is often seen in females increasing their protein intake.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Woodmice can be a considerable problem to certain woodland bird species, they will predate chicks and eggs, even dormice will feed on chicks. This is often seen in females increasing their protein intake.

Thanks for the info, Dogghound. I have not heard of this before.

henrya