In orchards, cultural practices related to growing fruit trees can also influence the abundance of mice and hence mice damage. Uncut grass or other cover left in the area will encourage mice. In contrast, low cut grass and clean cultivation will discourage mice, reducing or eliminating the problem. Commercial growers often use a bait station to kill mice. A bait station should allow mice in to eat the bait, but be both child and pet proof.
Mice can be very destructive.
In bad years they can kill out most of an orchard. Repairing mouse damage involves grafting, which is difficult and costly, but damaged fruit trees will die if untreated. Bush fruits such as currants and saskatoons, even if severely damaged by mice, will usually not die. They are difficult to repair and are usually left to send up new shoots from below the damaged area. Fruiting, however, will not occur until several years after the damage has been done.