Common Materials:
* Soft Plant Materials: These include shredded paper, cloth scraps, cotton balls, feathers, hair, and even dryer lint.
* Natural Fibers: They'll use grasses, leaves, twigs, and even moss.
* Insulating Materials: Sometimes they'll use things like shredded insulation, packing peanuts, or even foam.
* Food Caches: Occasionally, mice will use their food stash as part of their nest material, especially if they're hoarding nuts, seeds, or grains.
Locations:
Mice will build nests in a variety of locations, depending on the species and environment. Some common spots include:
* Attic spaces: These offer warmth and easy access to a house.
* Wall voids: Similar to attics, these spaces provide protection and shelter.
* Basements: Mice may create nests in basements, especially if there are cracks and crevices.
* Underneath floors: They may burrow under floorboards or create nests in spaces beneath floor coverings.
* Outdoor nests: Mice also build nests in gardens, sheds, barns, and even piles of firewood.
Important Note:
While mice are clever at finding materials, they often choose things that are dangerous for their health, like chemical-treated materials or plastics. It's important to be aware of what they may be using and to remove potential hazards.