It’s a common misconception that mice only infest messy homes. This is untrue. Even the cleanest homes can attract mice when temperatures drop or food sources are easy to find. These small rodents can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter of an inch. That’s about the size of a dime! Along with their ability to get into people’s homes through the most unassuming of openings, they also tend to hide in places that most homeowners would never think to check. Knowing about these hiding places can help you spot an infestation early. Here are six surprising places mice hide in people’s homes:
1. Inside Furniture
It’s fairly common for rodents to hide underneath furniture, but did you know that they can also hide inside furniture? Small crevices in upholstered furniture, boxsprings and dressers offer the perfect warmth and materials to build a nest. Watch out for chewed fabric, droppings and faint scratching sounds coming from furniture pieces. Try moving furniture and vacuuming around it regularly to deter mice.
2. Under Appliances
Even though the space beneath appliances looks tight to us, it’s actually the perfect fit for mice. Behind stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers is warm and near food sources, making it an ideal place for mice to nest. Droppings in these areas, grease stains on the walls and chewed wires are all signs of mouse activity. Pull out appliances regularly and clean underneath. You’d be surprised by how many food crumbs fall in the space between your appliances. Make sure you’re not feeding the mice!
3. Behind Baseboards
Mice often travel along baseboards for many reasons. First, mice have poor eyesight. Traveling along the baseboards allows them to use their whiskers to navigate. Second, baseboards provide entry points into wall voids, which are perfect, undisturbed spaces for mice to build their nests. Even the smallest gaps in baseboards provide entry points for mice. Mice may also gnaw to create an even more convenient opening. If you see chewed wood, droppings or grease stains near your baseboards, it may be a sign that you have a mouse problem.
4. Under the Sink
Mice are clever. They find the tiniest holes around your home to travel in and out of. Plumbing cutouts provide easy entry from behind walls. Where there are sinks, water and food sources are often nearby. There’s also usually no shortage of clutter in cabinets under the sink that mice can use as nesting material. If you see chewed packaging or droppings under the sink, mice are probably close by.
5. Near HVAC Systems
This hiding place can be problematic because homeowners usually don’t need to access their HVAC system too often. For this reason, mice can nest in the area for months before homeowners even notice. HVAC systems produce just enough heat to make the surrounding area warm enough to attract mice. On top of that, HVAC systems have plenty of ductwork and wiring nearby for mice to gnaw and use as nesting material. This behavior can cause damage to the unit and a potentially expensive issue for homeowners. Make sure there are no large gaps around vents and ductwork to keep mice at bay.
6. In Holiday Decorations
Holiday storage boxes are one of the most overlooked hiding spots for mice. Decorations sit untouched for most of the year, usually in undisturbed rooms, like attics, basements and garages. This is why they provide the perfect shelter. They also provide nesting material from the cardboard, wrapping paper and fabric inside. Even garland and other decorations aren’t safe. By the time you open the boxes for the holidays, mice may have already moved in and done their damage. To prevent this, store holiday items in plastic bins with tight-fitting lids, and do a quick inspection before you bring them inside.
No matter the season, mice can be a serious problem for homeowners, especially because they’re expert hiders. The Pro-Staff team knows exactly where to find them and how to identify where they entered. Not only do we eliminate the current infestation, but we also put measures in place to make sure it doesn’t return. Call the Omaha rodent control pros at Pro-Staff at (402) 819-7378 or contact us online for a free inspection. Let us help you keep your home rodent-free!
