Mice prefer sugary snacks and grains over cheese.

The common misconception that mice prefer cheese was popularized by centuries of folklore and cartoons like Tom and Jerry. Historically, people kept cheese on open shelves to age, while grains and meats were stored in jars or salted and hung high. Mice simply ate the cheese because it was the most accessible food source available at the time.In 2006, researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University conducted a study led by animal behaviorist Dr. David Holmes. The team found that mice actually responded negatively to the strong odors and flavors of many cheeses. Their natural diet consists primarily of high-sugar and high-energy foods like fruits and grains rather than dairy products.Mice have evolved as scavengers that prioritize calorie-dense foods to fuel their high metabolisms. Their taste receptors are specifically tuned to detect sugars and carbohydrates. This is why pest control experts frequently recommend using peanut butter or hazelnut spread as bait instead of traditional cheddar.Furthermore, the sharp smell of certain cheeses can actually repel mice because of their sensitive olfactory systems. While a hungry mouse will eat almost anything to survive, cheese is rarely their first choice when other options are present. Modern biological studies confirm that a mouse's digestive system is better suited for processing seeds and plant matter.