Grapes, raisins, rhubarb and walnuts are poisonous to mice and lettuce can cause them to have diarrhoea. Wild mice find food by foraging and so a portion of daily food that is provided for
Avoid feeding seed/grain mixes, sugary and high fat foods (e.g., sweets and dairy products), and potentially harmful foods/plants (in general, if plants or foods are considered harmful for cats and dogs, it is advisable to avoid these for mice; e.g., chocolate, grapes/raisins, avocado, garlic, onion, coffee, tea, ...
Things that are best avoided or only given in small amounts:
Mice do not require dairy products in their diet and cheese, milk etc are common sources of food allergy and are very high in fat so if given at all they should really be small amounts and infrequently.
Although they're technically omnivores, mice prefer a diet of grains, seeds, and fruits, essentially, anything high in carbohydrates. However, they aren't picky eaters and can live on a minimum of an ounce of food & water a day.
Protein and sugar: Mice also love high-fat, high-protein, high-sugar foods. Things like lard, bacon, butter, grease, chocolate, dried fruits, and deli meats are all temptations for mice. Feed and seeds: Pet food, bird seed, grass seed, plant products, and more are an invitation for a feast for mice.
Zinc phosphide is an acute toxicant that causes the death of a house mouse within several hours after a lethal dose is ingested. It appears to be the fastest way of getting rid of mice by reducing their population.
Healthy Food
Fruit: apples (without seeds), bananas, pears, rose hips, raisins, blackberries, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, watermelon, kiwis, grapes (without seeds), persimmons cherries, mirabelles.
Mice need a place to nest and nearby food in order to survive and multiply. In a context where you abruptly remove the food, the environment would suddenly not be able to sustain such a large number of mice; therefore, mice would look for more favourable environments and many, if not all, would leave.
The best way to get rid of rats or mice is by using traps. If using spring loaded traps for rats, bait three of them in a row without setting them. Bait with dried fruit, peanut butter mixed with oats, or cheese.
Average life span is about 2 years in captivity, but individuals have lived for as long as 6 years. In the wild, most mice do not live beyond 12-18 months. Young mice are cared for in their mother's nest until they reach 21 days old.
Release them within 100 yards of where they were trapped. (Rodents can also be humanely euthanized by a veterinarian or at a local animal shelter.)
Yes, raisins and grapes are both toxic to mice. Ingestion can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). The mechanism of how grapes and raisins cause AKI is unknown. It is best to steer clear of feeding either of these to your mice.
Peppermint oil is also a frequent recommendation for deterring mice in the home. Like other essential oils, peppermint oil has shown varied repellent effects on wildlife. Results are commonly affected by formulation, concentration, and frequency.
Baking soda may kill mice by creating gas in their stomachs, but it is not very reliable. Mice would need to eat a lot of baking soda, which makes it an unlikely solution. Better options include traps, natural repellents, and sealing up any entry points to keep mice out.
Now that we know mice hate strong, fresh smells, loud noises, bright lights, and anything that signifies danger, it's important to consider what may attract them to your home. These critters are omnivores and can eat almost anything.
House mice are omnivorous but prefer to consume grains, fruits and seeds. Consequently, they may cause severe damage to crops and domestic gardens. Although it is commonly believed that mice are attracted to cheese, they tend to prefer foods that are higher in carbohydrates.
Rodenticides are toxic to rodents (and unfortunately also to humans) in a variety of ways. Active ingredients in rodenticides that are anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin, diphacinone, and bromadiolone) disrupt the blood's ability to clot, causing internal bleeding.
The strong scent of peppermint is overwhelming to mice. Similarly, essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil are potent in keeping mice at bay. One study noted that eucalyptus oil applied once a day was more effective as a rat repellant than once a week.
To discourage mice, remove all food sources by storing grains, pet food, and other dry goods in metal containers. Make sure mice won't find nesting material by storing all soft, fluffy material like fabric, rugs and blankets in heavy plastic or metal boxes.
Mice actually prefer to avoid human contact and are rather shy creatures, so the chances of them snuggling up with you in bed is not likely.
Mice Might Learn to Avoid the Trap in the Area
Although traps are new to them at first, they'll eventually know what it does and find different ways to get the bait while avoiding it. One of the ways that mice do this is to run along walls.