The question of whether mice create holes in the ground depends entirely on the species involved. While the common house mouse primarily nests inside human structures, many outdoor species rely on underground burrows for survival. These subterranean shelters provide protection from predators, insulation, and a place to raise their young. The presence of a small hole in the ground indicates the activity of a small burrowing rodent.
Which Species Create Ground Burrows
The common house mouse (Mus musculus) is the species most often associated with homes, and they generally do not create deep burrows in the soil. They prefer to nest in secluded, sheltered areas within structures, such as wall voids, attics, and cluttered storage areas, using soft materials like shredded paper and insulation. This preference stems from their adaptation to living closely with humans, where they find easy access to warmth and food sources.
In contrast, outdoor species, often grouped as “field mice,” regularly dig shallow burrows for nesting and food storage. Species like the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) and the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) are natural burrowers that construct complex underground systems. These systems contain multiple tunnels and chambers for sleeping, food storage, and waste.
Other small, mouse-like rodents such as voles and shrews are also avid burrowers frequently found outdoors. Voles, sometimes called meadow mice, are stockier herbivores that create extensive runway systems beneath the surface. Shrews, which are insectivores, may utilize small holes but often rely on existing tunnels created by other small mammals.
How to Identify a Mouse Hole
A confirmed mouse burrow entrance is typically a small, clean, and neatly rounded opening in the ground. The diameter is usually very small, often around 1 inch (or about 3 centimeters), which is just large enough for the rodent to squeeze through. These holes are generally found in concealed locations, such as under logs, near foundations, against woodpiles, or hidden beneath dense vegetation.
Unlike the prominent volcano-shaped mounds left by moles, a mouse burrow will have little to no loose dirt mounding around the entrance. The excavated soil is often pushed away or scattered, making the entrance less conspicuous. An active burrow system may also show secondary signs, such as faint, narrow pathways or “runways” radiating from the entrance through the surrounding grass or debris.
Comparing Mouse Holes to Other Small Mammal Tunnels
Differentiating a mouse hole from the tunnels of other small mammals requires close observation of the size, location, and associated signs of activity. Vole activity is distinct because they create shallow surface runways—small trenches of dead or clipped grass about 1 to 2 inches wide—that connect their burrow openings. Their holes are typically dime-sized and often found near the roots of plants, reflecting their herbivorous diet.
Shrews, which have a long, pointed snout and are insectivores, do not create extensive tunnel systems of their own but utilize the abandoned burrows of mice or voles.
Moles are the easiest to distinguish; they create deep tunnels and leave behind noticeable signs of their activity, such as large, horseshoe-shaped soil mounds or raised ridges across the lawn.
The entrances to rat burrows are also distinct, being significantly larger than a mouse hole at about 2 to 3 inches in diameter, and often feature a smooth appearance from repeated use.