Mice readily consume corn, viewing it as a highly desirable food source. The kernels offer a dense package of calories that supports the high metabolic needs of a small mammal. This makes corn, whether found in a field or a pantry, a preferred food item over lower-energy alternatives.
The Nutritional Appeal of Corn to Mice
Mice prefer corn due to its macronutrient composition, which provides an efficient energy boost. Corn kernels are predominantly starchy carbohydrates, which mice quickly convert into glucose to fuel their high metabolic rate. This rapid energy supply is advantageous for small rodents that must constantly forage and maintain a high body temperature.
In addition to starches, corn contains simple sugars and fats, particularly in the germ, increasing its caloric density. The high-energy content allows mice to obtain significant fuel from a relatively small volume of food. This efficiency is a powerful biological incentive for mice to seek out and consume corn whenever it is available in their environment.
Different Forms of Consumption and Damage
Mice consume corn in various states, each presenting a different type of damage signature. When attacking fresh, immature corn in a garden, mice gnaw through the husks to reach the soft, sugary kernels underneath. This damage appears as small, irregular nibbling marks on individual kernels, often concentrated toward the tip of the ear.
Mice also readily consume dried, stored corn, such as feed or popcorn kernels. Damage often includes small, ragged holes chewed into packaging or bags of grain. Mice carry individual kernels away to their nests, leaving behind fine, powdery residues and scatterings of partially eaten grains. A tell-tale sign of mouse damage on a dry corn cob is the small, sharp marks left by their incisors as they strip the kernels clean from the cob’s central axis.
Health Implications of a Corn-Heavy Diet
While mice are attracted to corn’s energy content, an exclusive diet of corn poses significant health risks to the animal. Corn protein, known as zein, is nutritionally incomplete because it lacks essential amino acids required for proper rodent health. If a mouse subsists primarily on corn, it will suffer from nutritional deficiencies, impacting growth and vitality.
A more immediate danger is mycotoxin contamination, particularly in poorly stored or damp corn. Fungi like Aspergillus flavus produce potent toxins, such as aflatoxin, which commonly contaminate corn and are highly toxic to rodents. Aflatoxin is a known carcinogen that causes severe liver damage, frequently leading to illness or death in mice.