House Mouse Enemies

House mice are not native to North America. Rather, they originated in Central Asia and are now known to live in a variety of areas near humans. They build nests where a steady food supply is easily accessible. House mice adapt well and will consume almost any food source available to them. They need very little water to survive.

House mice fall prey to owls, hawks, cats, dogs, skunks and snakes. Barn owls are particularly efficient mice predators. A single family of these owls can consume more than a dozen mice in one night.

House mice usually live only one year in the wild due to predators and exposure to unfriendly environments. In captivity, mice may live up to three years. However, humans, through the use of pest control strategies, ranging from traps to exclusion, are also formidable house mouse foes.