So, youre against having mice make your house their new safe haven? Join the crowd. But what if youre accidentally inviting mice to move in? Its not unheard of. The truth is, if you dont know what attracts mice to your home, its hard to keep an infestation from happening.
Here are 10 of these little homewreckers favorite things, and simple fixes for keeping mice away from your stuff—and your house altogether.
Mice adore cereal above all else. Their all-time favorite? Grains, like oats and wheat. Thats because they can hold onto them, nibbling their way through cereal pieces like corn on the cob.
The fix: Cardboard boxes, plastic bags, and chip-clip closures can still lure mice in for a cereal meal. Instead, transfer your cereals, oats, rice, popcorn, beans, and grains to airtight containers. Recycled pickle or canning jars with tight-fitting lids work well, as do stackable kitchen containers with lids that seal. And clean out the pantry. Those little crumbs? Thats what attracts mice.
Hey there, folks! If you’ve ever wondered, “Do mice eat bacon?”—maybe after spotting some suspicious nibble marks on your breakfast stash—then you’re in the right place. Lemme tell ya straight up: yes, mice absolutely eat bacon, and they freakin’ love it! Those lil’ rodents can’t resist the salty, fatty goodness, and that strong, smoky smell? It’s like a dang dinner bell to ‘em. Here at our lil’ corner of the internet, we’re gonna dive deep into why bacon is a mouse magnet, what else these critters munch on, and—most importantly—how to keep ‘em outta your kitchen for good.
So, grab a coffee (or a slice of bacon, if you dare), and let’s get into this mess of a topic. Trust me, by the end, you’ll be a pro at outsmartin’ these tiny thieves
Why Is Bacon So Darn Irresistible to Mice?
Let’s break this down real simple Mice ain’t just eatin’ bacon for the heck of it—they’re drawn to it for some pretty specific reasons I’ve seen it myself; leave a piece out, and it’s like a mouse rave in your pantry. Here’s why they go nuts for it
- High Fat Content: Mice need a lotta energy to scurry around all day, and bacon’s packed with fat. That greasy, marbled stuff gives ‘em the calories they crave to keep their tiny engines runnin’.
- Salty Kick: These critters got a thing for salty flavors. Bacon’s cured and salty taste is like a gourmet treat to their lil’ taste buds.
- Smokin’ Strong Smell: If you’ve ever cooked bacon, you know that aroma travels. Mice got noses sharper than a bloodhound’s, so they can sniff out that smoky goodness from a mile away.
- Easy to Nibble: Bacon’s shape and texture—long, thin, and kinda chewy—makes it super easy for mice to grip and gnaw on. They don’t gotta work hard for their snack.
- Soft on Their Teeth: Unlike harder foods, bacon’s soft enough for their sensitive chompers. It’s like comfort food for the lil’ buggers.
So, yeah, bacon checks all the boxes for a mouse’s dream meal I remember one time, I left some bacon grease on the counter—didn’t think twice—and next mornin’, there’s tiny paw prints all over! Lesson learned, my friends. If you’ve got bacon in the house, you better store it tight, or you’re basically rollin’ out the red carpet for these pests
What Else Do Mice Love to Snack On?
Alright, bacon might be their VIP pass to flavor town, but mice ain’t picky eaters by no means. These lil’ guys will chow down on just about anything if it’s sittin’ around. Over the years, I’ve figured out some of their other faves, and lemme tell ya, it’s a long list. Here’s a quick rundown of the top foods that’ll have mice crashin’ your kitchen party:
| Food Type | Why Mice Love It | Risk Level (1-5) |
|---|---|---|
| Cereal & Grains | High in carbs for quick energy—oats, wheat, rice are gold. | 5 |
| Peanut Butter | Combines nuts, protein, and a sweet kick; a top bait choice. | 5 |
| Nuts & Seeds | Packed with fats and protein; a natural snack for ‘em. | 4 |
| Fruits & Berries | Sweet and sugary; they’ll forage for fallen apples or berries. | 4 |
| High-Fat Sweets | Think butter, chocolate, cookies—pure indulgence. | 3 |
| Meats (like Bacon) | High protein and fat; bacon, sausage, cold cuts are irresistible. | 5 |
| Pet Food | Dog or cat kibble left out is an easy target. | 3 |
| Leftovers | Any human food scraps are fair game to ‘em. | 4 |
Seein’ this list, it’s no wonder why keepin’ a clean kitchen feels like a full-time gig! Mice are opportunists, y’all. They’ve been livin’ near humans for ages, so they’ve adapted to crave our kinda grub over their wild diet. I once caught one of these rascals in my cereal box—crunchin’ away like it owned the place. So, bacon’s just the tip of the iceberg; anything edible (and even some non-edible stuff like paper for nestin’) is on their menu.
The Dangers of Mice Munchin’ in Your Home
Now, I know what you’re thinkin’—mice are tiny, how much harm can they really do? Well, lemme tell ya, these pesky lil’ critters ain’t just stealin’ your bacon for kicks. They bring some serious risks to the table, and I’ve seen the aftermath firsthand. Here’s why you don’t wanna let ‘em stick around:
- Disease Spreaders: Mice can carry over 30 different diseases, y’all. We’re talkin’ nasty stuff like salmonella and E. coli that can get into your food from their droppins’ or urine. One wrong bite of contaminated bacon, and you’re in for a bad time.
- Allergy Triggers: Their droppings and urine ain’t just gross—they can mess with your lungs. Breathin’ in those particles might kick off allergies or asthma flare-ups, especially for kiddos.
- Parasite Pals: Mice often got ticks, fleas, and mites hitchin’ a ride. Those lil’ bugs can jump to you or your pets, bringin’ even more health headaches.
- **Property
#3 Paper, Cloth, & Burlap
Whatever form these items take in your home—books, linens, clothes, family heirlooms, decorations—mice can literally tear into them to use as nesting materials.
The fix: Lidded plastic tubs and tote boxes to the rescue again. But you can also deter mice with odors they abhor, such as peppermint. Use oil-soaked cotton balls or Tomcat® Repellents Rodent Repellent Continuous Spray in and around the entrance to areas where these items are stored—not on or touching the items themselves.
#2 Butter, Bacon, Meats, & Sweets
After cereal, mice go for high-fat, high-protein, high-sugar foods: Think lard, butter, bacon, grease, chocolate, dried fruit, and the like.
The fix: When possible, store these foods in the fridge or freezer; otherwise, use airtight containers (were looking at you, chocolate). Gotta have candy on the counter? Store it in a covered glass dish. Make sure you dont leave grease on the stove for “later” and ditto for the outdoor grill, too.
Easy Trick to Get Rid of Mice! #howto #diy #diyhacks #diyhack #pinesol #pestcontrol #getridofmice
FAQ
Is bacon a good mouse bait?
Savory Options
Savory foods like bacon, soft cheese, and pet food can be irresistible to mice. These options capitalize on their preference for fatty foods. Soft cheese is especially effective because of its strong smell and texture that sticks to traps, while dog food and hot dogs add variety to the baiting options.
Do mice like to eat bacon?
After cereal, mice go for high-fat, high-protein, high-sugar foods: Think lard, butter, bacon, grease, chocolate, dried fruit, and the like. The fix: When possible, store these foods in the fridge or freezer; otherwise, use airtight containers (we’re looking at you, chocolate).
What smell do mice absolutely hate?
Mice dislike strong smells like peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, clove oil, chili powder, cinnamon sticks, dryer sheets, and bleach. Essential oils, chili powder, and cinnamon sticks work best when placed near entry points, baseboards, closets, and food sources.Mar 17, 2025
Are rats attracted to bacon?
Though mice and rats are more drawn towards nuts, seeds, and grains, they also love meat. Bacon, jerky, beef, pork, hot dogs or other meat can attract rats, which are more prone to eat meat than mice.
What food do mice eat?
One very common mistake when trying to catch mice is to use the wrong bait. They come to your property in search of food and they will generally take what they can find. They do prefer some foods to others and peanut butter, chocolate and bacon are just come of their favorites. 3 What food do mice find irresistible? 3.1 1. Honey, syrup, jam 3.2 2.
Can mice eat food if they don’t eat it?
Similarly, leaving dirty dishes in the sink with bits of food on them, or even putting out a dish of kibble or plate of wet food out for your pets if they don’t eat it right away can be major feast points for mice, according to Popular Science. Not storing food in airtight, durable containers can invite mice to chew through to your food.
What do mice eat when baiting a trap?
Mice like a variety of foods and any food which is high in fat or high in protein will attract them. Foods which have a strong smell will also attract them. They also have a bit of a sweet tooth so sweet, sugary foods are also on the list. When baiting your trap, you don’t need to use a large quantity of food.
Can mice eat plastic bags?
Plastic bags present no challenge whatsoever to hungry mice, according to Terminix. Not cleaning up any kind of food debris — including and especially pet food — is like setting up your own mouse banquet. Even the smallest food residue can attract mice. FOX
Do mice like cheese?
Contrary to popular belief, mice don’t like cheese as much as they like peanut butter, chocolate, and bacon. If you take away their food, shelter, and easy access to your home, you make it much less likely that mice will come back once you’ve kicked them out.
Can mice eat peanut butter?
Peanut butter is almost the number 1 food when it comes to catching mice. The consistency is perfect as it is easy to get it to stick on to any sort of trap and it’s not something mice can eat in a hurry. As a bonus – they love it! They love nuts and the smell will draw them in to eat it.