Hearing tiny footsteps in the middle of the night or finding little bite marks on a bag of food is enough to make anyone suspicious. If you’ve noticed signs like these, there’s a chance mice have found their way inside.
Mice are surprisingly good at staying out of sight. They can squeeze through very small openings, move through wall cavities, and settle into warm, quiet areas that rarely get disturbed. A home can offer plenty of food, shelter, and nesting material without giving you much of a clue that mice are around.
Finding their hiding spots is a good place to start. Here are some areas worth checking if you suspect you have mice.
Attics
Attics can make comfortable hiding spots for mice, especially during colder weather. They’re quiet, usually see little foot traffic, and often contain insulation that mice can use to build nests.
If you hear scratching or scurrying above the ceiling, inspect the attic for droppings, shredded insulation, nesting material, or other signs of activity. Check around roofline openings, vents, and other gaps where mice could get inside.
Sealing possible entry points can help keep them from returning.
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Inside Sofas and Chairs
Soft furniture may be another place mice settle when they find an opening. Sofas and upholstered chairs can provide warmth, shelter, and plenty of material for nesting.
Take a look underneath and inside furniture if you notice unusual smells, shredded fabric, or small pieces of stuffing scattered nearby. Mice can also damage upholstery as they make their way through cushions and hollow areas.
That mystery hole in an old chair may have a more obvious explanation than you think.
Inside Walls
Mice can move through gaps inside walls and other hidden parts of a house. Wall cavities provide protection from people and pets while giving rodents plenty of room to move around.
They may also chew on insulation and electrical wiring while building nests or moving through the house. Damaged wiring can create a serious fire hazard.
According to American Rat Control, rodents are responsible for 20% – 25% of the unknown cause house fires each year.
If you hear scratching inside the walls, especially at night, don’t ignore it. It may be a sign that rodents are moving around inside your home.
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Kitchen Cabinets
A kitchen gives mice access to two things they’re looking for: food and shelter. Lower cabinets can be particularly appealing because they’re dark, quiet, and often located close to food supplies.
Check around boxes of cereal, rice, pasta, pet treats, and other pantry staples for chew marks or droppings. Mice can easily get through thin food packaging.
Storing dry goods in airtight containers can make it harder for mice to get to the food and can also help keep your pantry more organized.
Behind Appliances
The space behind a refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher can be easy for mice to access and difficult for homeowners to inspect. These areas can stay warm and protected, and crumbs or food scraps may collect underneath and behind the appliances.
Pull appliances away from the wall when it’s safe to do so and clean the surrounding area. Look for droppings, nesting material, grease marks, or chewed packaging.
A clean space gives mice fewer reasons to stick around.
Storage Boxes
Cardboard boxes can make excellent nesting material for mice. Boxes stored for years in garages, attics, closets, and basements may contain old clothing, papers, holiday decorations, or other materials mice can shred.
If you’re storing belongings for a long time, plastic storage bins with secure lids are often a better choice than cardboard boxes.
It also helps to keep storage areas reasonably tidy so you can spot signs of rodent activity sooner.
Related: 15 Things That Attract Rodents to Your Yard
Closets
Closets can provide plenty of fabric for nesting, especially if clothes and linens are left untouched for long periods.
Look through piles of clothing, boxes, shoes, and bags if you notice chewed fabric or small holes appearing in items. Mice may also hide behind stored belongings where they can stay undisturbed.
If you find damaged clothing, check the surrounding area rather than assuming the item simply wore out.
Behind Baseboards
Small gaps around baseboards can give mice another way to move from one room to another. They can squeeze through surprisingly narrow openings and may enlarge existing gaps by chewing around them.
Inspect baseboards, corners, and areas where walls meet floors for droppings, gnaw marks, or small openings.
Sealing gaps can help reduce the number of entry routes available to mice.
Garages
Garages are often filled with the things mice like most: cardboard boxes, clutter, pet food, birdseed, old furniture, and other materials that can provide shelter.
Walk around the garage and check for holes or gaps, especially near doors, walls, pipes, and other openings. Pay close attention to the garage door seal, since a small gap underneath can give rodents an easy way inside.
Keeping food in sealed containers and reducing piles of clutter can make the garage less inviting.
Under the Sink
The cabinet beneath the kitchen or bathroom sink is another place worth checking. It’s dark, enclosed, and located around plumbing, which can provide mice with a nearby source of moisture.
Look for droppings, gnawed materials, nesting debris, or damage around pipes and cabinet walls. A small plumbing leak can also create damp conditions that make the area more appealing.
If you find signs of mice, clean the area, repair leaks, and inspect around the pipes for openings that need to be sealed.
Mice are easy to miss because they rarely need much room to get comfortable. A quiet corner, a little food, and a small opening may be all it takes for them to settle in.
If you’ve spotted droppings, chewed packaging, nesting material, or other signs, checking these hidden areas can help you figure out where the activity is coming from. If the problem continues or appears extensive, a qualified pest-control professional can help identify entry points and deal with the infestation safely.
