We identified some immediate needs of house mice in
a novel environment, thereby providing new information
for developing detection and removal devices for invading
house mice. It appears that a den box, which provides
a secure place for house mice to acclimate to a novel setting,
would be sought by newly-arrived house mice. A den
box could also “hold” the mice at that location for a period
before they disperse or explore the new setting, therefore
giving an opportunity to expose them to a well-placed toxicant,
trap or detection device. Additionally, food items like
bacon grease, peanut butter, and cheese located in or near a
den box might further maintain the mice in a limited area.
These materials could be utilized for early detection and
response to newly-invading house mice, similar to what
been proposed for invading Gambian giant pouched rats