What to Do If You Suspect Mice Are in Your Home This Winter 

There’s something unsettling about hearing those faint scratching sounds in your walls when the temperature drops. Winter drives mice indoors in search of warmth, food, and shelter, and your cozy home becomes an attractive refuge.

If you suspect you’re sharing your space with unwanted rodents this winter, acting quickly can prevent a minor problem from becoming a major infestation.

Recognizing the Signs

Before you take action, it helps to confirm your suspicions. Mice leave telltale evidence of their presence. Look for small, dark droppings near food sources, in cupboards, or along baseboards.

You might notice gnaw marks on food packaging, furniture, or even electrical wiring. Greasy rub marks along walls where mice travel repeatedly are another common sign. And of course, there are those nocturnal sounds—scratching, scurrying, or squeaking that intensify at night when mice are most active.

A distinctive musty odor can also indicate a mouse problem, particularly if you notice it in enclosed spaces like closets or cabinets.

Immediate Steps to Take

Once you’ve confirmed mice are likely present, start with these practical measures. First, eliminate their food sources by storing all pantry items in airtight containers—mice can easily chew through cardboard and plastic bags. Clean up crumbs immediately, don’t leave pet food out overnight, and make sure your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids.

Next, search for entry points. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, so inspect your home’s exterior carefully. Check around pipes, vents, windows, and doors. Seal any gaps with steel wool, caulk, or hardware cloth. Pay special attention to where utilities enter your home and to any cracks in your foundation.

Inside, reduce clutter that provides hiding spots. Mice love nesting in cardboard boxes, old newspapers, and piles of fabric. Keep storage areas organized and consider using plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.

Setting Traps Effectively

Trapping is often the most effective DIY approach. Traditional snap traps remain popular because they work quickly when used correctly. Place them perpendicular to walls with the trigger end facing the baseboard, as mice typically travel along edges. Peanut butter, chocolate, or small amounts of nesting material like cotton make excellent bait.

For those uncomfortable with snap traps, live-catch traps allow you to release mice outside, though you’ll need to take them at least a mile away to prevent their return. Whatever trap type you choose, check them daily and use multiple traps—you’re rarely dealing with just one mouse.

Position traps in areas where you’ve noticed activity: near droppings, along walls, behind appliances, and in dark corners. Avoid placing them where children or pets can access them.

When to Call in the Experts

While many homeowners successfully handle small mouse problems on their own, sometimes the situation calls for professional intervention. If you’ve been trapping mice for weeks without reducing their numbers, if you’re finding evidence of mice throughout your home, or if you’re concerned about potential health risks, it may be time to hire professionals for mice control.

Pest control experts have access to more effective treatments, can identify and seal entry points you might miss, and can assess whether you’re dealing with a larger infestation that requires comprehensive treatment.

Preventing Future Invasions

Once you’ve addressed the immediate problem, focus on prevention. Winter makes your home particularly attractive to mice, so maintain your defenses throughout the cold months. Keep your yard tidy by removing leaf piles, storing firewood away from your home’s foundation, and trimming vegetation that touches your house. These can all serve as highways for mice seeking entry.

Inside, maintain your cleaning routine and stay vigilant about sealing food properly. Regularly inspect your home’s exterior for new gaps or damage that could provide entry points. Even small cracks can develop as your house settles or weathers seasonal changes.

Consider placing natural deterrents like peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls in areas where mice might enter, though these should supplement—not replace—physical barriers and good sanitation practices.

The Bottom Line

Discovering mice in your home during winter is unnerving, but it’s a solvable problem. The key is acting promptly, being thorough in your approach, and remaining persistent. Most importantly, don’t let embarrassment prevent you from addressing the issue—mice are attracted to shelter and food, not to cleanliness or lack thereof. Even the most immaculate homes can experience mouse problems when temperatures drop.

By combining immediate action, effective trapping, proper sanitation, and preventive measures, you can reclaim your home and enjoy a rodent-free winter. And remember, there’s no shame in seeking professional help if the problem proves more challenging than you anticipated. Your peace of mind and your home’s safety are worth the investment.