Although science has found a noble purpose for the animals, most humans generally consider mice a nuisance. The rodents are extremely hearty and can exist almost anywhere if humans are also present to provide warmth and food. Perhaps not as objectionable as rats, mice are more common than their rodent comrades and cause a significantly greater amount of damage. Rodent infestations have been a long-term problem for homeowners, a fact demonstrated by the rat and mice bones that have been unearthed in the cave dwellings of prehistoric man.