Mice chew holes in clothing and other fabric items, a behavior tied to their survival instincts. These small rodents have a biological need to gnaw and, more importantly, to construct safe, insulated nests. The discovery of holes in stored textiles is a strong indication that a mouse is using the soft fibers to prepare a secure habitat. This destructive habit is not about eating the fabric, but rather processing it for bedding and shelter.
The Motivation for Fabric Chewing
The primary reason a mouse chews through fabric is to gather materials for building a nest, especially when a female is preparing to give birth. They shred the material into smaller, softer, and more pliable components. Natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk are particularly attractive because they are easy to shred and offer superior insulating properties.
This material-processing activity is driven by the necessity to create a thermally efficient environment for their young. A pregnant mouse seeks out the softest, most available fibers and may make many foraging trips in a single night to complete a nest. Mice also possess continuously growing incisors, which require constant gnawing to keep them worn down. While they may gnaw on harder items to manage tooth length, soft fabrics are targeted specifically for nest construction.
Identifying Mouse Damage
Damage caused by mice is characterized by distinct signs that differentiate it from other common fabric pests. The holes are small, often dime-sized or slightly larger, and are rarely clean-cut. Instead, the edges appear ragged, frayed, and shredded, resulting from the rodent’s gnawing and pulling action as it tears away strips of material.
The damage often occurs in hidden, undisturbed areas like the bottom of a pile of clothes, inside a storage box, or near a wall in a closet. Finding shredded fabric pieces nearby, along with other evidence, confirms the culprit. Mouse droppings—small, dark, cylindrical pellets about a quarter-inch long—are commonly found along their travel paths or near the damaged items. This shredded appearance contrasts with the damage from fabric pests like clothes moths, whose larvae leave behind smaller, cleaner holes.
Securing Clothing Storage
Protecting stored clothing requires minimizing access to the materials themselves by using barriers that mice cannot breach. The most effective strategy is to store all fabric items in sealed, hard-sided plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Cardboard boxes offer almost no protection, as mice can easily chew through the material to reach the soft contents inside.
It is also important to ensure all clothing is clean before long-term storage, as organic residues like body oils, sweat, and food stains can attract various pests, including mice. Avoid using fabric softeners or starch on items intended for storage, as these substances can also make the textiles more appealing to rodents. Additionally, avoid storing containers directly on the floor, especially in less-frequented areas like attics or basements. Elevating storage bins on shelving units or pallets helps deter mouse activity, as these rodents tend to operate primarily at ground level.