8 Ways to Keep Mice Out of the House in Winter

Mice are cute in cartoons, but a mouse problem can be costly and even dangerous in real life. Even if you aren't afraid of rodents, no one likes to find a surprise mouse nest in their home.

Follow these steps if you'd like to keep mice out of your house in the winter. You'll ensure that Mickey and Minnie find a home far away from yours.

Mice are small and tough to detect. You’ll likely see signs of the mouse long before you run into the mouse himself. The number one sign of mice is the presence of mice droppings. These look like tiny brown pieces of rice. Mouse urine has a musty odor and can also be detected in corners of storage areas.

Another telltale sign of mice is their teeth marks. Mice nibble! They will shred paper, cardboard, fabric, and even wires. If you notice the presence of frayed wires, damaged insulation, or chew marks, you may already have a mouse issue (in which case, follow the steps below to get rid of these unwanted guests).

To prevent mice from coming inside your home, address any and all spots where they might enter. This means scouring your home's foundation inside and out, looking for any holes or cracks where a mouse could sneak in. Believe it or not, mice can get into a space as thin as 1/4 an inch. So don't ignore seemingly small gaps.

It’s also important to check your flue, dryer vent, and any other spots that lead from outdoors to the inside of your home. You can find vent caps and screens that allow for proper ventilation while keeping mice out. Check around window frames and door frames. Look at the areas around your baseboards and flooring, especially walls shared with the garage, basement, or crawl space.

A quick DIY fix for keeping mice out of your house is to plug any holes in your foundation or home with steel wool material, followed by a thick caulk line to seal entryways. Steel wool is inexpensive and valuable in protecting your home from mice invasions. While mice can chew through almost anything, the rough texture of steel wool is not pleasant for a mouse, and they will avoid it.

Note: Make sure to use eye protection and gloves when handling steel wool, as it can be an irritant.

For small cracks and spaces, consider using caulk to deter mice. Caulking around your home's baseboards, window frames, and any other areas that might have a gap will not only keep out mice and other pests but also help prevent drafts in the winter.

If you find a larger gap, foam sealant can help you take care of it. Expanding foam sealant is especially helpful for plugging up areas in your basement, attic, crawl spaces, and other spots where mice might find a welcoming entrance to your house. Be sure to test the product a little at a time until you're familiar with how it expands. Most types can be sanded down and painted as well.

Mice and other critters love to hide in yard debris. Leaf piles, weeds, and brush make a welcoming and warm spot for nests. Unfortunately, when these piles of brush are near the foundation of your house, they can also present a welcoming gateway.

In the fall, clean up all leaf and yard refuse and move it away from your home. Keep your home's foundation free and clear of all yard waste and areas that might attract mice, bugs, and other pests.

Mice search for areas of opportunity, and that includes crumbs and tasty snacks. These nibblers will feast on open boxes of food in your cupboards and pantry. So it's essential to clean up all the corners of your kitchen to ensure they don't find a feast.

Every few months, clear out your cupboards and wipe them thoroughly with a sponge and cleaning spray. Watch for signs of mice, including droppings and boxes that show teeth marks. Discard any food that mice might have contaminated. You can also put down adhesive shelf liner to make it easier to clean shelves and drawers.

Mice love cardboard, fabric, and paper. So, if you are storing paper items in your basement or attic in cardboard containers, consider changing to plastic, mice-safe storage. Look for containers with lids that seal tightly, especially if you're storing items like camping or pet supplies containing dust and crumbs that could attract mice.

Similarly, store linens, fabric, and clothing in containers that mice can’t invade. Storage bags, especially vacuum seal storage bags, are helpful for soft items and will keep away moths and bugs as well.

While you may not want to run out and adopt a cat just to keep mice out of your home, pets typically do act as a deterrent. Mice will avoid dogs and cats. Even if your cat isn’t good at being a predator, the smell of cats terrifies mice and will keep them away.

If you already have a pet, don’t let the pet bowls sit out during the day, especially near entryways to your home. A hungry mouse might be desperate enough to sneak into your house for the food, even if they know Fido and Fifi have residency.