How Do Mice Get In The House?

Posted on October 12, 2022

Chilly winter weather leads to small critters trying to find shelter against the cold. Oftentimes, mice and other pests will get into houses in search of food and warmth. They can be crafty, and properly safeguarding against them can be difficult.

Mice are capable of compressing their bodies to unbelievably small sizes. This allows them to enter houses and other structures through even the smallest openings. Stopping them requires a combination of preventative measures and trapping.

Keep reading to find information on how mice enter houses during the winter, as well as details on what you can do about it.

How Do Mice Tend To Enter Homes?

Mice are tiny creatures with tiny bodies that fit very snugly in tight spots. Mice often get into homes through cracks in the walls, foundations, or attics. Mice can be extremely quiet and fast, allowing them to enter many houses largely unnoticed.

It’s nothing to be ashamed of if you find mice in your house. Mice have access to virtually every house because of their cleverness and size. It doesn’t mean you don’t have a clean house, it is just something you can work on.

Start by checking the perimeter of your home for cracks, holes, and other potential entry points. Make sure the caulking around your windows and doors is sealed. You can also clear debris from around your house to discourage mice from attempting entry.

Signs of a Mouse Infestation

No matter how well you safeguard your home, mice will very likely still be able to gain access. Once inside, mice can quickly multiply and become a huge problem. They chew wires, contaminate food, and present a health hazard for everybody in the home.

The most obvious sign of a mouse infestation is mouse droppings. Mice droppings look like very small dark brown pellets, and may be found underneath furniture or in corners around your home.

Other signs of a potential infestation include shredded materials for building a mouse nest, noises, and bite marks on food or other objects.

If you notice signs of a mouse infestation, but cannot identify any points of entry, do not be discouraged. It is virtually impossible to completely prevent mice from entering. However, a pest control company can help identify entry points and safeguard your home.

A good example of qualified pest control would be Wildside Wildlife Removal and Prevention, which offers mouse removal services in Burlington and surrounding areas, with quotes available through their website.

Identifying a Rodent Entry Point

When inspecting mice entry points in the home, it should become obvious whether there was a mouse or not. If there are any mice in your house, their entrance will usually have a warning sign. Droppings, scratch marks, chewed wires, and other indicators may signify a potential entry point.

You may find that your house has a large amount of mice. You should call your nearest mouse control company to visit your home to get them removed if the preventative measures are not enough.

Mice only need to squeeze through a small opening once. They can nibble at the sides of that little hole to make it bigger after they’ve squeezed through to get inside. They can then use it as their preferred entry and exit point indefinitely.

Make Sure You Don't Leave Pet Food Out

While most people are fairly responsible when it comes to keeping their kitchens and other areas clean, there are some common habits that attract mice. One of these is leaving pet food out, which can lead to mice being attracted to areas where pets feed during the day.

It’s important to make sure that all foods are securely stored, especially at night. Improperly stored food will attract mice and become contaminated when they touch or eat it. Mice feed between 15 and 20 times a day and can contaminate ten times as much food as they consume.

If you find signs of contamination in your foods, it is important to throw the food away immediately. Consuming contaminated food is a really good way to make you and your family members sick.

Protecting Food With Glass or Metal Containers

Food stored openly or in bags can be easily accessible to mice. They are particularly fond of feeding on grains, but they will really eat just about anything. Improperly stored food will attract mice to storage areas and they may start nesting in the vicinity.

Using glass or metal containers to store your food can help cut down on the scent and safeguard the food itself from mice who will gnaw through the packaging.

Finding Dead Mice

Dead mice can be a sure sign of having a mouse problem. However, it is important to dispose of mouse carcasses properly, since touching them with your bare hands can lead to you contracting the disease. Carcasses themselves can also attract other pests.

If you need mouse carcasses or live mice removed in large numbers, it may be best to get a professional to assist you. They know the most effective and safest ways to deal with a mouse infestation and can do so humanely with one-way entry devices.