🐭 Mice in Tree Stumps and Deadwood – **Shelter and nesting:** Tree stumps and decaying logs provide cracks, cavities, and soft rotting wood that are ideal for mice to build nests. These spaces protect them from predators and harsh weather.

– **Food availability:** Deadwood environments often harbor insects, fungi, and seeds, which mice can feed on. Acorns and other nuts stored in these areas also attract them.

– **Adaptability:** Species like deer mice and house mice are highly adaptable, thriving in forests, suburban yards, and even abandoned stumps near homes.

– **Human proximity:** When stumps and deadwood are close to houses, mice may move indoors, increasing the chance of human-rodent interactions.

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## 🕷️ The Connection Between Mice and Ticks – **Key hosts for ticks:** White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) are one of the most important hosts for blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis, also called deer ticks). Tick larvae and nymphs frequently feed on these mice.

– **Disease transmission:** When ticks feed on infected mice, they acquire pathogens such as *Borrelia burgdorferi*, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. These ticks later transmit the infection to humans and other animals.

– **Population link:** Tick populations are closely tied to mouse populations. Where mice thrive—such as in deadwood habitats—ticks also flourish. This is especially true in areas with abundant acorns, which boost mouse numbers and, in turn, tick survival.

– **Mice resilience:** Studies show ticks don’t significantly harm mice, meaning mice can host large numbers of ticks without reducing their own survival. This makes them efficient reservoirs for tick-borne pathogens.

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## 🌳 Ecological and Health Implications

– **Wildlife balance:** Deadwood is vital for biodiversity, supporting insects, birds, and small mammals. However, it also creates microhabitats where mice and ticks interact, increasing disease risks for humans.

– **Human exposure:** Homeowners with old stumps or deadwood near their property may unknowingly support mouse populations, which in turn sustain ticks. This raises the likelihood of tick bites and Lyme disease transmission.

– **Management strategies:**

– Removing or treating stumps near homes can reduce rodent nesting sites.

– Maintaining clean yards and limiting brush piles lowers mouse habitats.

– Awareness of the mouse–tick connection helps communities understand why tick control is not just about deer, but also about small mammals.

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## ⚠️ Risks and Considerations

– **Tick-borne diseases:** Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis are all linked to ticks feeding on mice.

– **Indirect danger:** While mice themselves are not usually dangerous, their role as hosts for ticks makes them a hidden contributor to public health risks.

– **Ecological trade-off:** Deadwood supports healthy ecosystems, but in residential areas, it can inadvertently increase tick exposure. —

**In summary:** Mice thrive in tree stumps and deadwood because these habitats provide shelter and food. Their presence directly supports tick populations, making them central players in the spread of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Managing deadwood near homes is not just about aesthetics—it’s a step toward reducing tick risks.