Help! I Found a Mouse!

Although small, mice are important members of wild ecosystems and food webs. Pennsylvania has two native mice species (White-Footed and Deer), two types of jumping mice, four voles, a bog lemming and two non-native species from Europe. Eating everything from nuts and seeds to grasses, fruits and seeds, mice can also adapt to living in almost any environment. All creatures deserve a helping hand when they need it most, no matter how small!

Remember: It is illegal to keep and raise wildlife

Myth: Mice can fit through small holes because they have no backbone!

If You Find a Mouse That:

  • Is not fully furred, and its eyes are sealed shut

  • Appears sick or injured

  • Is lethargic, disoriented, has a bright green face or has difficulty moving/balancing

  • Is stuck to a glue trap

  • Has been in a dog or cat’s mouth

  • Has parasites, including fly eggs (look like little grains of rice)

This is an emergency. Receive immediate support here or contact your local wildlife rehabilitator.

If You Find a Mouse That:

  • Has open eyes and can evade humans

  • Has had its nest disturbed and the nest location is known

This is normal! Mice are independent as soon as their eyes open. For more solutions to common problems with mice in human spaces, visit this page.

How To Save Baby and Juvenile Mice

Mice pups are born pink and hairless with their eyes closed. They will remain in their nests with their mother until their eyes open and they’re fully furred. Mice mature very quickly and are independent as soon as their eyes open. Mice will have multiple litters of pups throughout the breeding season from spring to fall, but some species (like house mice) may breed year-round if conditions are favorable.

How To Renest Mouse Pups

If you find a mouse pup outside its nest with closed eyes, renesting may be possible! However, if you find a baby outside the nest with it’s eyes open, this is normal as mouse pups are independent at that stage.

  1. Check the baby carefully for injuries. Purple or red spots under the skin are a common sign of bruising after a fall. If the pups appear injured, contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately.

  2. Do not offer them any food, water or formula. We want them to be hungry and call for their mom!

  3. Keep the baby warm — it’s a priority! Gather the pup(s) and place them into a box that they cannot crawl out of and cut a small hole (big enough for mom) in the side of the box. Fill a water bottle with hot water and wrap it in a towel. Place the wrapped water bottle securely in the box next to the babies. You may need to reheat the water bottle throughout the reunion process. You can also use heating pads, rice-filled socks or hand warmers. Note: If the pups can be returned directly to the original nest, no heat source is required.

  4. Place the babies back in a safe location as close as possible to where they were found.

  5. Leave the area and watch from a distance. Mom will not come back to the area if she senses danger (humans, pets, tree trimmers, etc.).

  6. Allow time for mom to retrieve the baby. Mice are most active at night. If you see adult mice in the area or if mom has collected some of the babies, allow more time for her to move them.

  7. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator for help if mom does not retrieve the babies. Keep the pups warm, secure, and do not offer them any food, water, or formula.

How To Save An Adult Mouse

Call a wildlife rehabilitator if you discover a mouse stuck to a glue trap. Do not try to remove the mouse from the trap! Place paper towels on the exposed portions of the glue trap to prevent the mouse from getting stuck any further. If a mouse is suspected to be poisoned, lethargic, disoriented, has a bright green face or has difficulty moving/balancing, they should be seen by a rehabilitator immediately. For more solutions to common problems with mice in human spaces, visit this page.

Do you still have questions after reading the information above? Contact us or a local wildlife rehabilitator!

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Resources

  • Answering the Call of the Wild by Erin Luther. Toronto Wildlife Centre