It might sound crazy, but as the temperature drops, mice do tend to go indoors.

The scratching sounds in your walls and a bit of rustling across your floor are not imaginary, it’s probably mice looking for a nice warm home.

At Pestpatrol, we always get a large amount of calls about mice infestations in London in the colder months; whether you live in a new flat in Shoreditch or an old period home in Hampstead, mice are equal opportunity home invaders, searching for warmth.

So why do mice come into homes during the winter months, and what makes your home so attractive?

More importantly, what can you do to avoid being part of their winter planning?

Let’s figure it out.

The Short Answer – Yes, Mice Enter Homes During the Winter Months

Mice really want to be anywhere but outside when the weather turns cold.

Once autumn finishes and outdoor food dries up, these intelligent rodents instinctively look for a warmer place to occupy.

Houses are the perfect habitat, providing shelter from conditions, food and safe places to nest.

At Pestpatrol, we know how mouse infestations peak from the end of October until early Spring.

According to our rats and mice call-outs, this is the time period when rodent call-outs exceed other seasons by over 40%.

It is not a coincidence.

Why do Mice Prefer to Live Indoors?

Survival and Shelter

Mice cannot thermoregulate their body temperature, so they must seek out shelter.

London’s huge urban landscape and older stock, particularly in boroughs such as Hackney, Islington and Kensington, allow for ample room for mice to enter indoor spaces via very small entry points.

Limited Outdoor Food Source

In the warmer seasons, mice rely heavily on the out-of-doors, scavenging items like falling scraps in gardens and rubbish bins.

In winter, these outdoor food sources disappear, making the food source in your kitchen incredibly attractive.

Such a small amount of food – like loose crumbs or dog food scraps, can sustain a mouse.

Ideal Nesting Conditions

Mice don’t simply seek shelter in homes they move in and settle in, and reproduce enormously quickly.

Mice have preferred nesting sites, which are typically secluded, such as in lofts, behind walls and under floors.

A single female mouse can drop a litter every three weeks, and rapidly turn a minor nuisance into an infestation.

Common Entry Points for Mice

We are often asked at Pestpatrol how mice can ingress to homes so quickly!

Mice are exceptional climbers, they can do things like:

• Squeeze through 6mm gaps (the size of a pencil)
• Climb up brick walls and piping
• Climb along utility wiring and piping
• Swim for short distances

Typical entry points are:

• the gaps around pipework
• broken air bricks
• cracks in the foundation
• poor fitting doors
• gaps around the roof and eaves
• in urban/suburban flood situations, especially in close-knitted areas, mice can enter through neighbouring houses

Easily identifiable Signs of Winter Mice Ingress

Mice are nocturnal, secretive and clever, and therefore it’s very rarely possible to actually see one.

However, you can tell if mice are around by:

• Droppings: Small dark frass usually located around skirting boards and cupboards.
• Noisy nights: Scratching and rustling noises, especially at night when evidence of rodents comes to light.
• Grease: Mice leave greasy smudge marks or smears on the wall or in entry points.
• Damaged Packaging: Packaging (food or product) that looks chewed.
• Nesting Evidence: Paper, fabric, or insulation used as a nest.

Customer Experiences: First-Hand Accounts of Mouse Solutions

As an example, we had a customer in Brixton who had been reluctant to act on the odd scratching noise until they discovered they had mice chewing through electrical wires causing lots of damage.

Pestpatrol acted quickly to deal with the mice and rectify the damage and provided advice to prevent any future infestations.

Why Ignoring likely mice can be a mistake

Ignoring mice is not only an irritant, there can be risks for you:

• Health risks: Droppings and urine can spread diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus.
• Damage to your structure: Chewed wires can cause fire hazards, and insulation or other structural materials can be damaged.
• Food safety: When contamination occurs, pantry items are no longer considered safe
• Rapid population sizes: Unexpected increases in population occur quickly (in lots of cases within a matter of weeks) if not managed.

We have seen at Pestpatrol, small infestations escalate to wild size.

So, how do you stop mice invading during winter?

Prevention is the best way to deal with mice.

Here are our suggestions from Pestpatrol:

Seal Entry Points

Conduct a thorough inspection of your home and block any gaps with metal mesh, steel wool and quality sealant.

Store food appropriately

Use airtight containers for food storage, clean up immediately in your kitchen after food preparation, don’t leave pet food out overnight.

Keep clean

Ensure your rubbish bins are secured. Clean under appliances periodically. Keep things tidy in storage areas.

External maintenance

Tidy your garden, secure your compost bin where possible, to eliminate potential outdoor shelters and lower your mouse attraction.

Visual resource:
Refer to our infographic on mouse entry points and prevention advice for quick reference.

If you suspect you have mice in your home

If you suspect you have mice, acting quickly is important.

DIY sometimes works with the odd mouse but rarely gets to the problem.

That’s why we’re here.
Pestpatrol services are local and professional and our goal is to address your concerns with mice thoroughly. We are located in London and work throughout the city, assisting countless residents and businesses to manage mice infestations quickly and discreetly.

We do more than simply remove mice, we find entry points, secure your house against another invasion and provide dip practical advice on how to continue mouse avoidance.

You can go to our Mice Pest Control page for more information on our complete mouse control services or read our blog post: Seasonal Pest Control Tips.

In summary: Yes, mice love indoor habitat in Winter

Of course, mice will come indoors when Winter approaches.

Because your home offers comfort from the elements, warmth and access to food supply, it is a great target.

Regardless, living with rodents indoors doesn’t have to happen.

If you see droppings or are hearing strange noises, make the call now – at Pestpatrol, we’ll take care of the mice quickly to get you back to comfortable living in your home.

Need More Help?

Still not sure if you have mice?
Pestpatrol’s objective inspections and expert advice without pressure may put your mind at ease.

Call us today or request a call back from our friendly team.