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What causes mice to invade my home?

Rodents will climb ladders, scale walls, walk across wires and swim through sewers (yes, they can come up through your toilet!) to get inside your home. So, how can you keep them out?

The truth is mice are adaptable and they are relentless in their search for food, warmth and shelter and your home can support all of their basic needs. Mice don’t hibernate, so they stay active year-round. In the fall and winter, these needs become more acute, hence their desire to get inside. One tell-tale sign of their presence could be the smell of mice, which is often described as musty or ammonia-like.

If you feel that you have a problem with mice around your home, then contact Ehrlich for mice removal services .We can help you remove the current rodents and prevent a return infestation.

What attracts mice to your home?

There are multiple ways mice can get into your home. They can enter through gaps in your basement and doorways, tiny holes around piping, damaged roofs, air vents, and drainpipes, just to name a few. Mice are very agile. They can scale walls that are six and a half feet tall, squeeze through holes the width of a pencil, and jump as high as a foot. 

Mice require three main things to thrive: warmth, shelter, and food. Your home provides all these things, as it is what humans need as well.

Search for warmth

Once inside, mice will quickly search for an isolated, warm spot in your home. Ideally, they will look for one that is close to a food source, such as your kitchen or dining area. This is why you often find mice nests behind kitchen appliances and at the back of your refrigerator, as these areas are hidden and warm.

Find shelter and build nests

Mice can easily find warmth by building a nest inside your cavity walls, under your floorboards, near your hot water tank, or even in your attic. They love to use paper to build their nest. Anything from newspapers and magazines to toilet paper and paper towels will suit their nesting needs.

 Search for food

Mice will raid your cupboards at nighttime for a snack. They love cheese, but chocolates and even peanut butter will do. They even have a preference for a certain flavor of potato chips. Mice are able to get their daily water requirement from the food they eat – as long as it contains certain levels of moisture.

 Water sources

Another reason why mice come into your house is to look for water sources. Leaky pipes, pet bowls, and condensation around windows can provide enough moisture to attract them. These sources are especially appealing during dry weather when outdoor water is harder to find. 

Proof your property to prevent mice

An effective way to help prevent mice includes mice proofing your property. Below are some tips to help prevent mice from making your property their home.

Prevention tips

  • Doors – Fit brush strips to the bottom of doors to prevent entry, especially in older properties where the door fit may not be snug.
  • Eaves – Fix damaged roofing and use wire mesh to seal gaps.
  • Food storage – Store food in plastic or metal containers. Regularly clean under stoves, refrigerators and cupboards.
  • Holes – These are often made in exterior walls for cables and pipes. Check that any old pipe holes are sealed. Holes that are larger than 5mm will allow mice to gain access as their jaws can fit into tight spaces like these and quickly gnaw larger openings.
  • Lawns - Keep grass mowed short to reduce shelter and seeds for food. If possible, leave a gap between the building foundations and the garden.
  • Pipes – Seal holes around existing or new pipes with coarse grade steel wire and caulking.
  • Vegetation - Trim tree branches back from the house and where possible, avoid plants growing up the sides of your property. Vines, shrubs or overhanging branches can be used for mice to get onto roofs. Overgrown vegetation close to the walls will offer mice shelter and potential nesting sites.
  • Vents – Cover vents with fine galvanized wire mesh, especially if they are damaged.

Seal entry points

The most effective way to avoid mice in the house is to block the spots where they can get inside. Mice can fit through holes as small as a pencil, so it’s important to inspect your property for cracks, gaps, or openings. Use steel wool or wire mesh to fill these spaces and pay close attention to doors, vents, and places where utility lines enter your home. Sealing off entry points can help reduce the chance of future infestations.

Eliminate food sources

If mice find food, they’ll keep coming back. Store pantry items in airtight containers and avoid leaving food out overnight. Clean up crumbs and spills right away, especially in the kitchen and dining areas. Regularly empty bins and avoid overflowing trash. By cutting off their food sources, you can make your home far less appealing to rodents. What causes mice to stay is usually an available supply of both food and shelter.

Remove nesting materials

Soft, shredded materials are ideal for nesting sites. Items like paper, cardboard, fabric, and insulation are often collected by mice to build nests. Keep clutter to a minimum, especially in places like the attic, garage, and behind appliances. Store items in sealed plastic bins rather than cardboard boxes. This makes your home less suitable for mice looking for a place to settle. Check out our blog for tips on handlingmice in the attic.

Ehrlich gets rid of mice

If you are frightened or anxious about the thought of mice on your property, Ehrlich’s professional deterrent methods offer the best and most reliable solution. For an existing mice infestation, we can provide quick, guaranteed service to get rid of mice safely from your home or business and prevent their return.

Years of globally backed knowledge and experience enable our technicians to provide expert advice and mouse control services. Our local technicians know the proper methods and procedures to help control and prevent mice.

Call Ehrlich on 800-837-5520 for more professional solutions on how to deter mice.

Frequently asked questions

Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and a musty smell. Scratching noises in walls or ceilings at night are another common sign.

Contact Ehrlich for a professional inspection and service. Our mice removal services can help get the issue under control quickly and effectively.

Seal up cracks and holes that can provide entry points, store food securely, and clear away clutter. Removing entry points, food sources, and nesting materials helps keep mice out. Learn more about natural mouse repellents that can support your prevention efforts.

DIY traps can work temporarily, but for long-term protection, it’s best to call the professionals. We’ll assess the problem and recommend the right treatment and prevention steps.

Common signs include droppings, chewed packaging, nests made from soft materials, and unusual smells. You might also spot one moving around, especially at night.

Ever wondered where house mice come from? Often, they migrate from neighboring homes, or indoors from nearby fields or sewers when outside conditions become less favorable. What causes mice to move in is usually a mix of easy access and available resources.

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