They can encourage mice and rats to seek protected shelter, but rodents may begin using buildings well before the first sharp temperature drop.
A cold night in Waukesha County can make even an unfinished garage or basement a lot more attractive to mice. The building itself provides plenty of protection from wind and rain (or snow), and if there is food or nesting material inside, that's even better. But rodents don’t necessarily wait until freezing weather to start exploring houses. They look for useful shelter throughout the year. Cold weather only increases the urgency of this quest.
Garages, basements, crawl spaces, attics, and wall voids are all great places for rodents to get out of the cold. And these rodents can get in through surprisingly small openings. Mice, in particular, can squeeze through gaps about a quarter-inch wide, while rats may exploit larger openings or gnaw certain vulnerable materials.
If you’re serious about preventing rodents, start by checking your property before winter. Look for damaged weatherstripping, gaps around utility lines, cracks in the foundation, and poorly screened vents. Rodents can easily get inside through these openings.
Make sure you also don’t give rodents easy access to food or nesting materials. Bird seed, pet food, pantry goods, cardboard, paper, and stored fabric may provide useful resources, so make sure these are all in tightly sealed heavy plastic or metal containers.
If you see evidence of rodent activity like droppings or gnaw marks, or you hear scratching in the walls or ceiling, reach out to a rodent control professional. It is very hard to get rid of rodents on your own.
If mice or rats are getting into your Waukesha County or Milwaukee North Shore home, Mosquito Squad can discuss appropriate control options. Call (262) 333-0395 or request a free quote online.
