There are three things that matter to mice: food, hiding places, and harborage. You might immediately notice that water isn’t in the list. Mice can usually derive all the water they need from the foods they eat.

• There are many things that mice consider to be food. They love bird seed that falls from feeders. They eat acorns and nuts. They eat fruits and berries. There could be many food options in your yard. But, as you know, they’ll also feed on human foods—and they’re not picky. An open trash is like ringing the dinner bell. A mouse can smell decaying food from quite a distance.

• Mice don’t like to be exposed. When they come into your yard, they prefer to find tall grass, plant overgrowth, lawn clutter, and other places to hide. They are particularly interested in organic clutter, such as dead branches stacked in a pile, scrap wood left over from a construction project, wood pallets with objects stored on top, campwood, etc.

• Mice can create a home in the wild, but it is far easier to create a home inside yours. They can grab pieces of insulation, wallpaper, fabric from stored clothing, and other materials to make their nests in the voids of your home. They can also get into stored couches, chairs, and mattresses and make their home in the soft innards.