10 Sneaky Places Mice Could Be Hiding in Your Home Right Now

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Can you imagine hearing the faintest scuttle of little feet at night or seeing that your favorite snacks have been nibbled? All of these are signs that mice have moved in to your home. These little invaders are really smart, really adaptive and extremely good at finding places you wouldn’t think to look. Don’t think of them only as an annoyance, they can pose health risks and cause costly damage if left unchecked.

Mice are so good at getting into such tiny spaces — a dime is all they’ll need. Sharp teeth, insatiable curiosity, and they can almost infiltrate just about anywhere of your home. The first half of the battle is knowing where they’ll be hiding — from the obvious spots to the outright sneaky. So, let’s take a look at where these crafty critters might be camping out right under your nose.

Attics

During the cold months, mice often invade the attic. The peace and quiet, along with plenty of insulation materials to build nest with, are what draws them. It’s worth taking a look if you hear scratching or scurrying overhead. Pest control experts say sealing gaps in your roofline and attic vents can prevent their entry.

Inside Sofas and Chairs

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Mice can burrow into furniture (especially those with soft cushions or hollow frames) and it sounds like something out of a horror movie. They are warm areas that you usually do not clean on a routine basis. If you come across shredded fabric or stuffing, it’s probably time to take a closer look—hopefully, before it’s been sat on!

Inside Walls

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Mice are natural climbers, and those gaps inside your walls are an open highway. Walls are a perfect place to make a nest, whether it’s unfinished basement, attic, behind drywall – anywhere you can’t be seen from the eyes of prying eyes. They make great use of electrical wires and insulation as nesting materials, but the drawback is they may chew through them, putting you at risk of fires. According to American Rat Control, rodents are responsible for 20% – 25% of the unknown cause house fires each year.

Kitchen Cabinets

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A kitchen is mouse’s Disneyland. There is lots of food and nice places to hide. Mice also like getting into lower cabinets where food is accessible like in cereals, rice and pet treats. Some leave droppings as a big clue they’ve been there. One clever kitchen trick to make life more difficult for these uninvited guests is to keep food in airtight containers.

Behind Appliances

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Mice love to hide behind your refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher. They are perfect hideouts as these areas remain warm and protected from humans. In addition, this is a great place that crumbs and food scraps often accumulate and give a quick snack to a hungry mouse. Make the spots less appealing by vacuuming and cleaning behind appliances regularly.

Storage Boxes

If you have clutter and lots of hiding places, mice will be drawn to you, as your storage boxes are prime real estate. Especially tempting are cardboard boxes filled with old clothes, paper, or holiday decorations. If you’re storing for the long haul, plastic bins with tight fitting lids are a safer choice.

Closets

Another sneaky spot for moisture is closets, where you might store piles of shoes, clothes or the odd snack. If there’s anything they’re not afraid to gnaw through, it’s fabric, and they’ll gladly make nests out of old clothes. Have you ever wondered why your favorite sweater now has holes? A mouse might be to blame.

Behind Baseboards

Another ideal hiding spot is that small gap between the wall and the baseboard. These tight spaces can be viewed as secret passageways for mice to squeeze themselves into and around your home. Even, they can chew the baseboards to create new entrances in your rooms.

Garages

Mice prefer garages because of how cluttered and easy to get into they are. Stored items such as birdseed, pet food or even old furniture are a particular attraction. Make a point of checking your garage for holes, particularly near the garage door seal, to keep mice out of your garage.

Under the Sink

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The cabinet under your sink is a triple threat: Near water pipes, warm, dark. Small leaks in any place around the home will provide moisture, making it a prime spot for mice. Look out for droppings or gnawed pipes that indicate they’ve moved in.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.