I just saw two mice in the backyard - should we be worried?

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

One was on the patio and the other was running along the retaining wall at the side of the yard. We've never seen any evidence of them inside, and we do have three cats. I've never seen any near the house before (here in Texas, anyway). Should we expect to see some inside now??

[KG]

1. well, if you have cats inside, that's why the mice are outside.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2. Do you guys have neighborhood cats?

We always had outdoor cats that hung out around the farm. We never fed them, they just showed up, and they took care of the mouse/rat problems. We never had them inside either. They got them before they ever had a chance to get in.
But yea, I agree with KG. That's why your mice are outside. Your indoor cats.
Duckie

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

3. I've never seen any neighborhood cats, but there may be

We have a strict homeowners' association which doesn't permit animals running loose. It was just weird because we have the usual backyard birds, a bunny who comes every night to eat seeds and an occasional squirrel - this was the first time I've seen mice in the wild, and I saw two of them (if you can call our yard "wild").

[JTG of the PRB]

4. My parents have mice in the retaining rock wall to one of the terraces at their house.

No mice actually IN the house though, which is a good thing.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. About this time of year I sometimes get mice in the house. But only for a very short time.

The cats eat them.

If you have cats, any mouse visits will be very temporary.

[Kali]

6. Maybe.

set some traps anyway to be sure. Peanut butter is best bait. We have had a HUGE rodent problem this year. Everybody I talk to has had mice or packrats. I just finished rewiring a chest freezer out on the porch, had a nest all in where the compressor is and it had chewed several wires. Happened to notice mushy icecream instead of the usual rock hard iceberg - then noticed some meat in baskets towards the top was starting to thaw - it has probably been off for a couple days. I am so glad I didn't have half a beef in there. Bastards! I am so sick of them!