Why Am I Seeing Mice in the Winter?

It’s that time of year—freezing temperatures, early nights, and suddenly you notice little signs that you’re not alone: droppings, chewed wires, or even the occasional mouse darting across your floor. If you’re a homeowner, restaurant manager, or in multi-housing, this is a common winter problem—but it’s more than just “they’re cold.”

Mice are smart little opportunists. When winter hits, they’re looking for:

• Warmth: Heated homes and buildings are way more comfortable than the freezing outdoors.
• Food: Even a few crumbs, pet food, or improperly stored pantry items can attract them when natural sources are scarce.
• Safety: Attics, wall voids, and basements provide shelter from predators and harsh weather.

Basically, your property is offering exactly what they want—and it’s hard for them to resist.

The first line of defense is making it hard for mice to get inside. A few key steps:

• Seal gaps, cracks, and holes around doors, windows, and foundations. Even a hole as small as a dime can be an entry point.
• Install door sweeps and weather stripping to block easy access.
• Screen vents and other openings to keep the little guys out.

Exclusion is all about cutting off their access points before they even step inside—think of it as locking the doors to your property’s winter “motel.”

Even the best prevention can’t always keep them out. Here’s how to tackle the problem if they’ve already made themselves at home:

• Exterior bait stations: Placed around your property, these can reduce pressure before mice enter the building.
• Interior traps and bait: Snap traps, bait stations, or electronic traps can work inside—but placement is key for safety around kids and pets.
• Sanitation: Keep food in sealed containers, clean up crumbs, and make sure trash is secured. It won’t stop mice entirely, but it makes your property less appealing.

If you notice droppings, gnaw marks, or hear scurrying in walls, it may be time to call an expert. Professionals can:

• Conduct a full inspection to find where mice are entering.
• Apply effective, safe control measures tailored to your property.
• Recommend long-term prevention strategies to keep them from coming back next winter.

Mice aren’t the only pests that stick around in winter. Ants, for example, can sneak indoors and set up shop when it’s cold outside. For tips on keeping them at bay, check out our previous post on ants in the winter.

Winter pests are persistent, but with the right combination of prevention, control, and professional guidance, you can keep your property rodent-free all season long.