Yes, mice can and often do nest inside wall cavities. The space between studs is dark and has a stable temperature, as well as access to insulation which can be shredded and used as nesting material.
There is a reason why the classic media depiction of mice shows them going in and out of walls. Mice really like staying in wall cavities when given a chance. The void is enclosed and predators cannot reach it. Insulation keeps temperatures moderate and it can be shredded into nesting material. The framing and utility runs give them the ability to crawl easily around the perimeter of the home. And seldom are rodents disturbed once they get set up in the walls.
It doesn’t take much for mice to get inside. Full-grown mice can fit through holes the size of a dime. Even when a gap is not quite big enough, they can often chew it until it is. Usual openings include settling cracks in the foundation, gaps under doors and windows, dryer and exhaust ports, roofline and soffit seams, and areas where pipes and cables pass through the wall. No home is truly sealed on the rodent scale.
Rodents are active at night, so you likely won’t see them unless the problem is very bad. But you might notice signs like scratching or scurrying inside a wall, especially at night. If you see droppings in cabinets or at baseboards, that’s another sign, as are greasy rub marks along baseboards or a musky smell.
If you suspect you have a rodent problem, don’t wait to take action. Gnawed wiring inside a wall is a fire hazard, for one. And one breeding pair can easily turn into dozens over the course of a season. A small problem can easily compound.
To deal with rodents, you first need to find entry points and clear the population with traps and bait stations. After this is done, then you can seal up openings with chew-resistant materials to keep them from getting back inside.
If you are hearing mice inside your walls, Mosquito Squad of The Sandhills can help. Mosquito Squad finds how mice are getting in, clears them with traps and bait stations, and seals the entry points. Monthly rodent protection is also available through Complete Home & Yard coverage.
