What type of diet does a house mouse prefer?

A house mouse primarily prefers a diet consisting of grains, nuts, and seeds. This preference stems from their natural foraging habits in the wild, where they seek out high-energy food sources to support their active lifestyle and reproductive needs. Grains are particularly appealing due to their abundance and high carbohydrate content, which provides significant energy. Nuts and seeds are also attractive because they contain fats and proteins essential for survival.

In contrast, while fruits and vegetables can occasionally be consumed, they do not form the mainstay of a house mouse's diet. The other options, such as insects and fungi, or meat and dairy, are less typical for house mice, which are not specifically adapted to hunting or consuming animal-based proteins in significant quantities. Understanding these dietary preferences is crucial for pest control strategies, as it helps target baiting and trapping methods effectively by offering the types of food that will attract house mice.