Food preferences of house mice (Mus domesticus) and their implications forcontrol strategies

A series of pen evaluations of food preferences of the house mouse (Mus dom esticus) were conducted to determine whether the acceptability of poison ba its could be enhanced with variations to grain type and the incorporation o f flavour enhancers. Results showed that soft wheat, canary seed and rice w ere the most preferred foods, particularly when fish meal was added. Apart from some differences due to the addition of fishmeal, none of the additive s, flavours or dyes had a statistically significant effect on food consumpt ion. Management implications of the results are discussed.