Do Mice Eat Bacon? And 9 Other Facts About What These Rodents Love to Snack On

Seeing evidence of mice in your home can make your skin crawl. But to control these uninvited guests it helps to understand what attracts them in the first place. So do mice eat bacon? The answer is yes – bacon is one of their favorite foods.

Read on to learn why mice can’t resist bacon and other tempting treats. With this intel, you can mouse-proof your kitchen and pantry to send mice packing.

Top 10 Foods Mice Love to Eat

Mice aren’t picky eaters. Given the chance, they will nibble on almost anything But they do have some favorite foods they find particularly hard to resist

1. Cereal – Grains like oats, corn, wheat, rice, and cereal are absolutely irresistible to mice. The carbs and calories provide quick energy.

2. Fats and sweets – High-fat and high-sugar foods like butter, chocolate, cookies, and bacon grease are like catnip to mice.

3. Meats – Mice adore high-protein foods including bacon, sausage, cold cuts, and pet food.

4. Fruits and veggies – Fresh produce offers sugar, fiber, and hydration. Mice will happily munch on whatever you have.

5. Nuts and seeds – Packed with protein and healthy fats, nuts and seeds are a coveted mouse delicacy.

6. Dry goods – Pasta, beans, flour, baking mixes, crackers and chips are readily nibbled.

7. Leftovers – Mice eat whatever humans eat, so leftover people food is always a score.

8. Paper and cloth – Mice will even eat non-food items to use as nesting material. Watch out for chewed books, linens, and clothes.

9. Insulation – Fiberglass insulation offers a cozy nesting spot. Watch for tunnels and holes.

10. Pet food – Dog food, cat food, bird seed, and aquarium fish food are all fair game.

So yes, mice do love to eat bacon! It ticks all their boxes – high fat, protein, saltiness and smoky flavor. No wonder it makes an irresistible snack.

Why Mice Love Human Foods

Generations of living in close proximity to humans has adapted mice to crave our food. Benefits like fat, carbs, protein, and calories provide energy and nutrition.

The satisfying flavors and textures of processed human foods are also preferable to mice versus their natural diet. Given the choice, mice will always opt for people food.

Smart Ways to Mouse-Proof Your Kitchen

Knowing what foods mice adore gives you power to prevent infestations. Follow these tips to mouse-proof your kitchen:

Transfer dry goods like cereal, pasta, and baking mixes to airtight plastic, glass or metal containers.
Keep high-fat foods like butter, bacon and sweets in the refrigerator or freezer.
Clean up food scraps, crumbs, and spills which can attract mice.
Take the trash out frequently and use cans with tight lids. Don’t provide an all-you-can-eat mouse buffet!
Store pet food in chew-proof bins rather than bags which are easily nibbled through.
Check pantry items like boxed and bagged foods for signs of nibbles or droppings. Toss anything possibly contaminated.
Set traps or bait stations to catch invading mice before they settle in and breed.

3 Signs You Have Mice

Catching mice early is key before they multiply. Watch for these common signs:

1. Droppings – Mouse poop looks like small, rice-shaped black pellets. Check cupboards, floors, and other hidden corners.

2. Chew marks – Look for gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture, baseboards, and wires. Mice must constantly chew to wear down teeth.

3. Nesting material – Keep an eye out for shredded paper, fabric, or insulation wadded into loose balls the size of a softball.

Seeing any of these signs means it’s time to kick your mouse prevention plan into high gear. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to get rid of unwelcome rodents.

Repel Mice Without Toxic Chemicals

Prevent mice humanely with simple deterrents:

Sprinkle peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls in problem areas – mice hate the smell.
Use ultrasonic repellents that emit high-frequency sounds only rodents can hear.
Place natural repellents like dried peppermint leaves in hiding spots.
Seal entry points so mice can’t squeeze inside. A dime-sized hole is all they need.
Tidy clutter to eliminate shelter and nesting sites.

With some diligence to mouse-proof your home, you can relax knowing these pesky critters won’t ruin your peace or damage your stuff. Do you have any tips to add? Share how you keep mice out of your house in the comments!

What Mice Eat – The Complete List of What Mice Feed On!

FAQ

Is bacon good mouse bait?

What Do Mice Eat? “Mice prefer foods that are high in protein and fat over cheese. That’s why the best mouse trap baits include peanut butter, hazelnut spread, chocolate, and meats like bacon or beef jerky. Be wary of large portions, which rodents can nibble without tripping the trap.”

Do mice like the smell of bacon?

Mice are omnivores that will consume pieces of meat. The strong smell of bacon attracts these little rodents, which makes it an effective food bait.

What food is irresistible to mice?

After cereal, mice go for high-fat, high-protein, high-sugar foods: Think lard, butter, bacon, grease, chocolate, dried fruit, and the like. The fix: When possible, store these foods in the fridge or freezer; otherwise, use airtight containers (we’re looking at you, chocolate).

Can mice have bacon?

Foods to avoid You should also avoid feeding your mice foods that are high in fat, such as bacon, chocolate and baked goods. Once again, if you’re concerned about a potential food and whether or not it’ll be good for your mice, have a chat with your vet before making any spontaneous decisions.