They can. An empty winter home does not automatically attract rodents, but it may give them more time to enter and settle in without being noticed.
For secondary homes in the Hamptons, you have one major disadvantage when it comes to rodents: you’re probably not going to be there when they try to work their way in. Secondary homes often see much more use in the summer, and it’s in the fall that rodents start to push their way inside. If they manage to get in, they can stay inside for months before being noticed.
Mice that slip into occupied houses usually leave some kind of sign behind. It might be scratching in the walls or droppings in a cabinet. Either way, it’s enough to attract attention. This is not the case with vacation homes.
It’s also worth considering why rodents go inside when the weather turns in the first place. They need shelter so they can get out of the cold. Garages, crawl spaces, basements, attics, sheds, and wall voids are all great places for that. Mice, in particular, can squeeze into spaces only the size of a dime. That means even tiny gaps around doors, utility lines, siding, the roofline, or even cracks in the foundation can all let them in.
Once inside, there are a number of reasons why rodents might want to stay around. A major one is food. They can often find it in pantries or in garages in the form of pet food or bird seed. Trash is another major source of food for rodents. They can also shred cardboard boxes, fabric, and insulation to make nests for themselves. So even where there isn’t a steady supply of food, rodents can often find other reasons to want to stay in your house.
Before closing a secondary home for winter, inspect the exterior for gaps and damaged seals. Store or remove accessible food, secure trash, check garage doors and exterior doors, and avoid leaving unnecessary clutter in garages, basements, or storage spaces. When you return, look for evidence like droppings, gnawed materials, or unusual odors.
If rodent activity is showing up in your Hamptons property, Mosquito Squad of the Hamptons can help identify the problem and develop an appropriate rodent control plan. Call (631) 832-4856 or request a free quote online.
