I had my least problem with the troublesome mice and voles the year I saw
more than 30 copperheads in the garden (not all at once, thank
Bast!). Don't know that I reckon it a good trade.
We can only hope the gods give us a good balance.
While mowing grass this spring I have seen a normal blacksnake and a
large one. Both keep down mice, rats, and small rattlesnakes, the
nastiest of which here is the Pygmy. But with no cats yet, we have
thus far since early April trapped about a dozen mice in the house.
My experience is substantial and poignant in this regard. I want cats
that are strong mice hunters because I know that keeps down the
population of Pygmys and copperheads. With a year-round stream two to
three hundred feet in front of the house, we have a history of plenty
copperheads. And for whatever reason we have far more Pygmys than
most folks around here. You do not want to be bitten by a Pygmy
rattler. You can trust me on this.