It’s that time again – rodent season has arrived, and residents of northern New Jersey may soon be wondering how that mouse ended up in the house.

There are several ways mice can enter your home as winter approaches. Let's explore the most common entrance paths so that you can keep these furry pests at bay.

How Can Mice Enter a Home?

Mice can fit into tiny spaces, making them difficult to track. Their bodies are so flexible that they can even fit into an opening the size of a dime. Small holes or cracks in your home’s foundation, walls, or floors can be perfect entry points for mice seeking warm, dry shelter. But there are many more potential entrances for mice.

Some of the most common entry points include:

• Chimneys: Mice can easily climb into your fireplace and make their way into your home.
• Garages: Attached garages may be infested when mice spot gaps in the garage door or holes in the walling.
• Gutters: Mice are excellent climbers and will gladly scale your gutters in search of a hole in your roof. Some may even nest inside of clogged drains.
• Foundations: Cracks in wooden or stone foundations are like vacancy signs for mice.
• Corner Posts: These posts are attached to the corners of the home and are often hollow, making them an ideal choice for chilled and hungry mice.

What Attracts Mice to a Home?

As winter sets in, mice seek out warm, dry places to nest and breed. The fact that your home is sheltered and heated is enough to attract most mice.

However, several things may attract mice to your home. These include:

• Food: Any food or crumbs left out could be a tasty snack for mice.
• Water: Pet water bowls are the most common source of water for mice in the home.
• Warmth: Cold weather pushes mice toward warm areas, like your comfy house.
• Odors: The smell of a previous mice infestation may attract mice.

Where Do Mice Hide in a Home?

Because mice are so tiny, there are several places they could be taking up residence within your home. Often, mice will build nests near to their point of entry, as it allows them to venture outside for resources.

But mice may also hide in warm, darkened areas around your home. The space inside of walls, the insulation within your attic, and cramped warm spaces beneath refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves can all be havens for mice.

They can also be found inside of clutter. If it's been a while since you've cleaned out your garage or basement, you're advertising a great winter home for mice. Ridding your home of clutter is a great way to eliminate at least one possible home for mice.

Mice may also find their way into the kitchen or bathroom cupboards. Typically, cabinets have a hollow space beneath them, allowing mice to slip by unnoticed.

How to Prevent Infestations

The best way to prevent an infestation is to identify the entry points for mice and seal them shut. For example, cracks in your home's foundation must be sealed with cement to prevent recurring infestations.

Checking your roof for holes or cracks is also an excellent way to prevent infestations. Cement may not be an appropriate material for all entry points. Caulk and steel wool can also be used to seal entrances.

Another way to prevent an infestation is to remove the things that attract mice to your home. You will need to keep your home warm during the winter, so warmth is not something you can remedy. The same is true for those with pets who need access to fresh drinking water.

However, ridding your home of open food sources and maintaining a high level of in-home sanitation can help keep mice away.

In addition to sealing possible entry points and removing attractants, you can also utilize pest control methods such as traps or poison to prevent mice infestations. Contact your local pest control providers today to keep that mouse out of your house!