Common Mistakes That Attract Mice to Your Home and How to Avoid Them

 

Mouse infestations are a common problem, especially in the fall and winter when these small rodents are looking for warmth and food. Many people don’t realize that certain daily habits encourage their presence. If you’ve noticed signs of mice in your home—droppings, rattling in the walls, chewed packaging—it’s time to identify and correct these common mistakes that attract them.

 

1. Leaving Food Out in the Open

 

Mice are opportunistic: They seek out easy-to-reach food sources. Several common mistakes make it easy for them to find food:

 

• Crumbs and Food Scraps: A crumb-covered floor or countertop is a real invitation for them.

 

• Unpackaged Food: Open bags of cereal, rice, or flour are a boon to rodents.

 

• Fruits and Vegetables Out in the Open: Mice love ripe fruit. Leave them in a trash can and you risk attracting them.

 

• Pet food left on the floor: If you have a dog or cat, don’t leave their bowl full overnight.

 

Solution: Clean your kitchen regularly, store food in airtight containers and avoid leaving food out in the open.

 

2. A poorly closed or overflowing trash can

 

 

Mice are attracted to the smell of food waste. An overflowing or loosely closed trash can provides a free meal for them. They can easily climb and squeeze through to reach food scraps.

 

Solution: Use a trash can with a tight-fitting lid and take out the trash regularly.

 

3. Holes and Cracks in the Home

 

Mice can enter through openings as small as a dime. Cracks in walls, holes around pipes, or spaces under doors are all invitations to these rodents.

 

Solution: Inspect your home and seal all openings with caulking, steel wool, or mortar. Don’t forget foundation cracks and holes near windows and doors.

 

4. A Cluttered Basement or Attic

 

Mice love dark, quiet places to nest. A basement, attic or garage full of boxes and old items provides them with a perfect shelter.

 

Solution: Sort through your trash regularly, use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes and avoid accumulating clutter.

 

5. Firewood or trash near exterior walls

 

 

If you pile firewood against your house or leave objects piled up in your yard, you create ideal hiding places for mice. They can set up shop there before they find a way inside.

 

Solution: Store firewood at least 30 cm off the ground and a few metres away from the walls of your house. Get rid of unnecessary objects and keep your yard clean.

 

6. Lack of regular maintenance

 

If you don’t regularly check the condition of your house, mice can move in without you realising it.

 

Solution: Do periodic inspections, watch for signs of infestation (droppings, nighttime noises, urine smell) and act quickly if you have any doubts.

 

Conclusion

 

Avoiding mouse infestations starts with prevention. By correcting these common mistakes, you reduce the chances of these rodents taking up residence in your home. If despite all these precautions you suspect an infestation, it is best to call a pest management professional ( ML Extermination Inc ) for effective and long-lasting treatment.