What do field mice eat in a garden? - briefly
Field mice in a garden consume seeds, grains, and nuts, supplemented by insects, larvae, and occasional fruit or vegetable scraps. Their diet also includes tender shoots, roots, and plant buds when available.
What do field mice eat in a garden? - in detail
Field mice in garden environments consume a varied diet that reflects seasonal availability and plant diversity.
Primary food sources include:
- Seeds of grasses and wildflowers, especially those that drop after maturation.
- Small fruits such as berries, raspberries, and blackberries, which provide carbohydrates and vitamins.
- Nuts and acorns that fall to the ground, offering high‑energy fats.
- Invertebrates like insects, larvae, and earthworms, supplying protein and moisture.
Supplementary items often taken opportunistically:
- Root vegetables (carrots, radishes) when exposed or damaged.
- Leaf litter and tender shoots of herbaceous plants, particularly during early growth stages.
- Fungal mycelium and spores found in moist soil layers.
Feeding behavior adapts to environmental conditions. In spring, emphasis shifts to fresh shoots and insects; summer sees increased consumption of seeds and fruits; autumn focuses on nuts and stored seeds; winter reliance grows on available invertebrates and cached food.
Water intake is met through moisture‑rich foods and occasional drinking from puddles or dew‑covered foliage.
Overall, the diet is opportunistic, balancing carbohydrate‑rich plant material with protein‑rich animal matter to meet energetic and nutritional needs throughout the year.