As we try and budget for the often costly festive period, the weeks running up to Christmas are a good time to stock up and stash away the gifts and tasty treats for the special day. But what happens when Christmas finally arrives if you discover a field mouse has eaten all the chocolate and the wrapping paper?

Twas the night before Christmas…… when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

By Clement Clarke Moore

Do mice like chocolate?

We have several instances where mice have shown that they have a love of the festive season.

One customer called us when she found a mouse in her chocolate Santa. The mouse had not only nibbled a hole in the chocolate but had gathered a load of loft insulation and placed it in Santa’s tummy to make a warm, comfy nest for her babies. This Christmas mouse was humanely caught and re-housed in an old garden shed complete with her chocolate home.

Another customer was shocked to find that their Christmas mouse had managed to strip the foil wrapping and chocolate from a bag of coins, leaving only the net and a few fragments of foil!

We would recommend keeping all chocolate in a sealed container so that rodents can’t steal it.

It’s not just Christmas chocolate either, as mice are rather partial to a Kit-Kat or two. Another customer opened her kitchen cupboard to find a mass of shredded foil and plastic wrapping. She initially thought it was her children leaving a mess, but on closer investigation, she realised a mouse had eaten the chocolate and had started to prepare a nest with the wrapping. We were able to track down the entry point into the home so no more visitors raided her cupboards.

Store wrapping paper carefully

You will notice how rodents are extremely resourceful with their bedding materials so be careful when storing wrapping paper.  This is particularly important if you leave any wrapping paper open in the loft, as this can rapidly be chewed up to make a nest.  

Here are photos from another unlucky customer whose Christmas wrap was ruined by rats in the loft.

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How do mice get into your house?

Did you know that if you can poke a pencil in a hole, a mouse could potentially go through it too?

Once in, they will quickly establish a home and could have between 5-10 litters a year with each litter producing an advantage of 6-8 pups. The good news is that field mice are relatively easy to trap with a bit of professional help.  

What diseases do field mice carry?

Field mice are a common visitor to our homes and outbuildings during the winter months. Sharing your home with mice is not ideal. Despite their cute appearance they are carriers of viruses and bacteria, such as Leptospirosis – this is a bacterial disease that is transmitted through wild mice urine.

Like all rodents, mice love to chew. Electric wiring is the main concern.  Keeping mice out is somewhat of a challenge as they are amazing climbers and borrowers.

How to prevent pests at Christmas

Mice and other pests really do love Christmas but here are a few ways that you can prevent pests during your festivities.

✔️ Keep chocolate and treats in sealed tubs or the fridge.

✔️ Store wrapping paper in a sealed storage box or hard suitcase in the loft.

✔️ Get rid of used wrapping paper the same day.

✔️ Ensure that all your peelings and food waste are placed in a lidded food disposal caddy to prevent foxes and rats from having a feast.

✔️ Place outdoor compost bins on concrete or slabs and ensure the lid is fastened to prevent rats, as these are ideal nesting and food sources.

What to do if you have problems with mice

If you need advice about mice just call our friendly team on 0333 600 6005 or email help@eradipest.co.uk.