You’ve discovered mice in your house. Now, you’re trying to understand how these clever rodents managed to get in.
Mice can bring on a whole host of problems, from property damage to health risks. To avoid infestations and associated nuisances, it’s essential to be able to identify common entry points used by these little intruders.
In this article, our mouse exterminators show you the many ways mice can enter your home. We’ll also look at what you can do to keep them out.
Where do mice come in?
Mice are known for their ability to slip through tiny openings and make the most of every crack and vulnerable nook to gain access to your living spaces. Let’s look at the most common places mice enter the home.
1. Cracks and openings in walls
For starters, mice enter homes through the walls. Mice can squeeze through extremely small cracks and crevices. Any wiring holes, riser joints or gaps in the siding (bricks, soffits, etc.) can potentially provide a pathway for these rodents. Fortunately, there are effective techniques for getting rid of mice in walls.
2. Doors and windows
Open, broken, damaged or detached doors and windows are a common way for mice to get into a house. Properly sealing your doors and windows or replacing old or defective seals is essential for keeping mice out of your house.
3. Pipes and ducts
Mice are excellent swimmers and they can enter your home through drains and sewers. Sometimes just one poorly sealed drainpipe is enough to let a mouse in through the sink, shower or bathtub drain.
Heating and gas pipes also create openings where mice can enter homes.
4. Roofs and attics
Mice can climb very steep (even vertical) rough surfaces. It should be no surprise that these small rodents can sneak into your house through the roof and attic!
Most of the time, mice enter the house through gutters, roof vents or downspouts. They typically gain access to these entry points by climbing directly up the siding or by jumping out of a tree.
Cutting vegetation that comes (dangerously) close to your roof is one way to keep mice away naturally from your house.
5. Cellars and basements
Cellars and basements are ideal places for a mouse infestation because they are humid and tend to be used to store food. Openings near air ducts or drainage pipes can serve as entryways for these and other Quebec rodents.
Mice can sneak in the spaces around these ducts or pipes to enter cellars or basements. Poorly sealed cellar or basement doors can also make it easy for mice to enter a building.
6. Storage spaces and garages
Storage spaces like closets, shelves and cupboards can offer mice both shelter and food. Mice can also use gaps between walls and shelves or cupboards to gain access to other parts of the house.
Openings around garage doors are another common entry point – mice can squeeze through gaps between doors and frames, or find cracks along badly-fitted garage doors.
7. Floors and ceilings
If you’re still wondering how mice are getting in, inspect your floors and ceilings. Openings in floors and false ceilings – especially in apartment buildings (condos, etc.) – are common points of access for small rodents.
Avoid an infestation by paying special attention to floating floors and cutouts for pipes or wiring between apartment building units.
8. Chimneys
Mice can also get in through your chimney. Like your roof, your chimney is subject to wear and tear over time. A mouse could easily enter your home through a damaged chimney gutter, for example.
A mouse could also just climb up the brick, enter the chimney hole and creep down into the cozy comfort of your home.
How can you prevent mice from entering your home?
Are you determined to keep your home mouse-free? Keep reading to learn practical, efficient ways to keep rodents from entering your house.
Inspect your home regularly
Regularly examine your home for potential entry points. Go through every room, including attics, cellars, garages and storage spaces, and look for cracks, openings or signs of mouse activity.
Remember to check walls, doors, windows, foundations and floors for places where mice could get in your house. Early detection makes it possible to act quickly and prevent a full infestation.
Repair cracks and openings
As soon as you identify any cracks or openings, repair them quickly. Use putty, caulking or other appropriate materials to do the job well.
While you’re at it, make sure your doors and windows are properly fitted and sealed to prevent mice from sneaking in. Don’t forget to check for openings around ducts and pipes, and seal them too.
Install physical barriers
Physical barriers can be very effective to keep mice out of your home. Use anti-mouse mesh screens to cover openings in gutters, chimneys and other potential outside access points.
Reinforce vulnerable areas by installing window grilles, door sills or waterproof door bottom seals.
Improve general home maintenance
Mice are attracted by the food, water and shelter available in your home. To reduce these attractions, maintain good hygiene. Keep the kitchen clean, store food in airtight containers and avoid letting garbage accumulate.
Put an end to your mouse problem with Elite Pest Control
Mice are smart, stealthy and capable of amazing acrobatic feats. If you’ve ever wondered how mice enter your house, now you’ve got the answer!
If you need help dealing with a mouse infestation, contact us today. Our exterminators will help you get rid of the problem, whether you are in Montreal, on the North or South Shore or elsewhere in Quebec.
