This post is part of a project in the works; "An Ogemaw County Year". The blog and eventually the book will encompass nature noticing, research and facts over the course of a year with a watercolor painting for each entry. Originals and prints will be available via the website as they are completed and prepped and the book will be available upon completion.
In the heart of January, the world lies silent under a thick blanket of snow and low, scudding clouds. The only sound is the occasional creak of ice settling and the soft rustling in the woodpile near the cabin. White-footed mice, with their sleek fur and white underbellies, have taken refuge among the stacked logs, seeking warmth and shelter from the biting cold. They make little trails under the snow and are a favorite meal of weasels, owls, coyotes and foxes who listen for them in their wintery tunnels.
The life cycle of these mice, scientifically known as Peromyscus leucopus, brings them to our woodpile of split oak. Born in spring or summer, the young mice mature quickly, reaching adulthood in just a couple of months. With a lifespan of about a year in the wild, their short lives are filled with foraging for seeds, fruits, and insects, all while seeking shelter from predators and harsh weather. In the fall, they gather food to stash in their nests, but come winter, they often find human spaces more appealing.
Though white-footed mice can sometimes be mistaken for voles, the differences are significant. Voles, with their shorter tails, stockier bodies, and blunt snouts, are known for damaging gardens and lawns by burrowing extensively. The white-footed mouse, with its longer tail and more slender build, poses different threats—particularly as a carrier of ticks that can transmit disease. White footed mice can also carry Hanta virus, a disease which can seriously sicken humans. White-footed mice are not a critter you want living in a warm indoor space with you.
Each fall, as tough as it is to do, we set mousetraps in the attic and along walls inside the house. Due to the illness a white-footed mouse is capable of carrying, to say nothing of the fleas and ticks they may spread into an indoor space, they simply aren’t allowed inside our buildings if we can help it. We have sealed just about every opening but one or two always finds a way in. While we can keep them out of the house, the woodpile is a whole separate issue- it is outside and as a windbreak and in sunshine on warm days, it is a snug place to spend the winter. So white-footed mice can frequently be seen darting into crevices along the rows of stacked wood in the winter.
This year, I decide to take proactive measures. Homemade tick tubes, a simple yet ingenious solution, can help reduce the tick population come spring. I craft the tubes using cardboard rolls stuffed with cotton balls soaked in permethrin, a mild insecticide. By placing these tubes strategically in the woodpile, I hope the white-footed mice will use the treated cotton to build their nests, effectively killing any ticks they carry.
As I carefully place the tick tubes among the logs, I can’t help but admire the resourcefulness of these tiny creatures. Yet, it’s crucial to keep them out of the house. White-footed mice can spread diseases like hantavirus and cause damage by chewing on wires and insulation. Simple preventative measures like sealing entry points, securely storing food, and keeping spaces clean can deter these uninvited guests.
With the woodpile now equipped with tick tubes, I feel a sense of accomplishment. The balance between appreciating wildlife and protecting human health is delicate, but with a bit of ingenuity and care, it’s possible to coexist harmoniously. As the harsh winter winds howl outside, I take comfort knowing my efforts might make a difference when the snow melts and spring arrives.
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