cheeky so and so

[actionfinch]

I got back ffrom a good mornings birdwatching and whilst on the phone , i was looking out in the garden when something caught my eye, when i stared at the squirrel box , i saw this little fella making a few trips in and out. He looked like he was hording the nuts, as he made several trips in quick succession.
I have never noticed them before and before i tell the wife i wanted a few facts on them please.
Do the hoard /stash food.?
Do i need to worry about them , like say rats ?
would you say there classed as vermin?
do they carry desease, that i should worry about.?
Just a couple of questions cheers. i liked him , but im sure the missus would think otherwise if i dont have the anwsers.
cheers and thanks for your help

[Dogghound]

This is a wood/yellow necked mouse Apodemus Spp

Originally Posted by actionfinch

Do the hoard /stash food.?

Yes they cache food, particularly over winter/autumn.

Originally Posted by actionfinch

Do i need to worry about them , like say rats ?

No, I would'nt worry about it they are far less damaging than rats and tend not to be as much of a leptospirosis carrier, and tend not to urinate all over the place like rats.

Originally Posted by actionfinch

would you say there classed as vermin?

Depends if they are causing damage or not.

Originally Posted by actionfinch

do they carry desease, that i should worry about.?

Not unless you handling them or they are coming into contact with food, no more of an issue than birds. All wild animals can carry disease.

Additionally we are getting into the warmer part of the year so they are unlikely to attempt to enter your house or out buildings.

[Keith D]

Hi

What happened to the plastic window in the front of the feeder
we have the same squirrel feeder here
i would replace the plastic window then this will stop
also it wont be long before other birds and the like
find that and you will spend all day replacing the nuts

we have even had a pigeon which learnt to open the roof flap
and get the nuts out

cheers

K/

[actionfinch]

thank you dogghound.. for the advice.. nice to know its not your normal field mouse...
i was doing the gardening today and was washing that area around where i see it , and it popped its head up to see what was going on...

the front cover i keep replacing it and the little or should i say big squirrels have nnow mastered the art of removing it.
I dont mind to much as i have had a few jays in the garden since they started doing it.
but thanks agaibn guys for the advice.

i can tell the missus now..

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by actionfinch

thank you dogghound.. for the advice.. nice to know its not your normal field mouse...

It could be, woodmice and field mice are the same species, yellow necked mouse is slightly different but hard to seperate from the photo.

[actionfinch]

oh right ok , cheers anyway , told the missus and showed her the pics , she happy enough, first thing she said was i hope it dont get in the house...
If there nocturnal , any reason why it would be out during the day?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by actionfinch

If there nocturnal , any reason why it would be out during the day?

They are predominantly nocturnal but it isnt unusual to see them during the day. You often get more diurnal activity in the summer.