Yes, and it usually means they are nesting nearby. Mice travel across deck furniture at night, particularly cushioned seating and covered stacks, and they leave dark rice-grain-sized droppings behind.
Deck furniture gives mice several things that they want. The cushions are great for nesting material. Covered or stacked furniture makes an excellent darkened shelter. The deck box is a dry enclosed room. And all the space under decking is protected from both weather and predators. It would be hard for them to ask for better.
Droppings tell you a lot about what you’re dealing with. Mouse droppings are dark, roughly the size of a grain of rice, and pointed at the ends. Fresh ones are dark and soft. Older ones are gray, dry, and crumble. If you find a lot in one place, it means a nest or regular feeding station is nearby. Scattered droppings tell you that you’ve found a travel route. You may also find shredded cushion stuffing or gnawed fabric nearby.
In this situation, you must clean carefully because rodents can spread disease. Do not dry sweep or vacuum droppings, since that puts particles into the air. Ventilate the area first, wear gloves and a mask, dampen the material with a disinfectant, wipe it up, and bag it. Wash cushion covers on hot. If your cushions are damaged, toss them.
Once you do the initial cleanup, you will want to make your deck less attractive to them in the first place. You can do this by storing cushions in sealed hard containers. If there is food debris or birdseed nearby, clean it so the rodents don’t have anything readily available to eat.
And it’s wise at this point to also check the house. If you have a mouse population living under your deck fifteen feet from your foundation, they’re likely looking for a way inside too.
If mice are living in or under your deck, Mosquito Squad of Leominster can help. Mosquito Squad finds where mice are nesting and getting in, clears them with traps and bait stations, and seals the entry points. Annual inspections will help you protect your home through the year.
