Not exactly. Colder weather can make indoor shelter more attractive to mice, but they still need a usable opening to get inside.
When temperatures fall around Princeton, houses, garages, sheds, basements, and crawl spaces can give mice much better protection than they can find outdoors. So they have an incentive to move toward structures. But that’s not to say the weather literally forces mice through walls. They still need ways in.
Mice are tiny. They can squeeze through openings around 1/4 inch wide. Even a very well-built house likely has these around doors, garage seals, vents, siding transitions, utility line openings, and even cracks in the foundation.
That’s just how they get in. If mice happen to find food like bird seed or pet food, they’ll likely stay around. They also need moisture and interior shelter, so pipe leaks and stacks of cardboard boxes can make them even likelier to stay once they get inside.
Fall is the best time to start looking at your structure and see if it’s likely to have mouse problems. You can do this by first checking the bottom of the home around exterior doors and garage doors. Pay special attention to places where pipes, wires, and cables pass through the walls. Vents and screens also deserve a look, as do seams around additions to the home since the materials tend to be different and have little gaps between the original build and the addition.
You’ll also want to make the inside of your home less attractive to mice long-term. You can do this by storing things like bird seed and pet food in metal or heavy plastic containers that properly seal. Trash should be covered and your pantry should store items in containers that rodents cannot easily get into. If your basement or garage is cluttered, consider putting items in plastic bins and on racking to keep them off the floor.
Watch for droppings, gnaw marks, shredded nesting material, damaged food packaging, or recurring nighttime activity. Rodents tend to leave behind signs, so if you notice any of these, call a professional.
If mice are finding their way into your Princeton property as temperatures fall, Mosquito Squad of Princeton can help identify rodent activity and develop an appropriate control plan. Call (609) 778-1797 or request a free quote online.
