Mice are common household pests that can become a particular concern during colder months. Understanding their behavior and taking preventative measures can help keep homes free of these rodents.
Mice Behavior in Winter
Mice do not hibernate, remaining active year-round. As outdoor temperatures drop, these small mammals actively seek warmer, sheltered environments, making human homes a prime target. Their primary motivations for entering structures are warmth, protection from predators, and food, which becomes scarce outdoors.
Mice have a high metabolic rate, requiring constant foraging for food to maintain body temperature. While they may hoard food in caches, they still rely on daily food access. Their ability to squeeze through openings as small as 1/4 inch allows them to exploit cracks and gaps in foundations, around pipes, and through vents for entry. Once inside, they reproduce rapidly, with females giving birth to multiple litters per year.
Signs of Winter Infestation
Detecting mice often relies on observing indicators, as they are primarily nocturnal. One common sign is the presence of droppings: small, dark, and pellet-like, typically found near food sources, along baseboards, or in cabinets. Fresh droppings are usually dark brown or black and soft, while older ones are harder and lighter.
Another clear sign is the presence of gnaw marks on food packaging, wires, wooden structures, or furniture. Mice constantly gnaw to wear down their continuously growing teeth. Scratching or scurrying noises, particularly at night from within walls, ceilings, or attics, also indicate mouse activity.
Additionally, nests made from shredded materials like paper, fabric, or insulation may be discovered in secluded areas such as attics, basements, or behind appliances. Greasy rub marks along walls or baseboards are a tell-tale sign, created by their bodies brushing against surfaces along their frequent travel paths.
Preventing Winter Entry
Proactive measures deter mice from entering homes. Sealing all potential entry points is a primary step, as mice can infiltrate through small gaps. This involves inspecting and sealing cracks in foundations, gaps around utility lines, pipes, windows, and doors, using materials like steel wool, caulk, or foam sealant.
Proper food storage is also important to eliminate attractants. All food, including pet food, should be stored in sealed, airtight containers made of glass or metal. Promptly cleaning up crumbs and spills and regularly emptying trash bins with tight-fitting lids reduces available food sources. Maintaining a clean and uncluttered environment, both indoors and outdoors, removes potential hiding spots and nesting materials for mice. Trimming bushes and removing debris near the house can also prevent mice from approaching the structure.