Wood mice can be beneficial to man by preying on harmful insects and many trees and shrubs germinate from forgotten wood mouse food stores. Wood mice are extremely common and are found in almost all habitats. They are an important source of food to many carnivores and birds of prey. They have no legal protection. Wood mice are pests in my garden.
Damage caused by wood mice to crops is sporadic, usually when their natural food is scarce.
Food shortages are often enhanced by the use of insecticides. The best way to prevent this problem is to provide an alternative food supply. Cereals put out in small boxes is usually sufficient to divert the mice during the critical period after sowing. The two mice are easily confused, but the yellow-necked mouse is larger, about one and a half times the weight of a wood mouse. It has a bright yellow chest spot joining the dark upper fur on either side of the neck.