Although mice will eat many kinds of food, seeds are usually preferred. They will sample new foods but return to the old food unless the new food is preferred. Required moisture is normally obtained from their food but they will take free water when available, especially when feeding on high protein food. When given a choice, they prefer sweetened liquids over plain water. Their preferred nesting sites are dark, secluded places where there is abundant nesting material nearby and little chance of disturbance.
Mice are nocturnal in habit.
The key to any mouse control program is pest identification, sanitation, harborage elimination, and mouse proofing the building. Control is based on the behavioral habits of mice. Mice defecate wherever they travel but mostly where they feed. Mouse droppings serve to indicate where control efforts should be concentrated. Nontoxic tracking powders can also be used to determine where the greatest mouse activity is occurring.