When you see a mouse in your home, it can make you wonder, “How do mice get into homes?” You may already have some ideas, but we’re betting we can surprise you with some of the many ways a house mouse can find a way in. Let’s examine some facts about mice, discuss how these help mice get into our homes, and talk about what you can do to get rid of mice.
Facts About Mice That Help Them Get In
House mice have abilities. The more you know about these abilities, the better your chances will be of keeping mice out of your house.
- A mouse is small. It doesn’t need a big hole.
- A mouse has a squishy body. If a mouse can squeeze its head through a hole, it can get the rest of its body through. A full-sized mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime.
- A mouse can chew. If a mouse finds a hole that is too small to get through, it can use its teeth to make it larger. House mice can chew through wood timbers, plastic, rubber, and even chip away at concrete.
- A mouse can climb. If you’ve never watched a video of a mouse climbing, it’s worth the time. A mouse can race up the side of a brick wall like a squirrel on the bark of a tree.
- A mouse can use objects to climb your exterior. If a mouse can’t climb an exterior surface, it has other options. House mice can use pipes, downspouts, gutter systems, lattice, powerlines, exterior vegetation, tree limbs, and other things to get onto roofs.
Common Entry Points
Now that you know a few important facts about mice let’s take a look at a few points of entry that house mice commonly use to get into homes in our Raleigh, NC service area.
- A small, squishy mouse can get through gaps around exterior doors. Mice squeeze under doors and get past weatherstripping.
- If a mouse finds a tiny gap near a window or door frame, it can make it large enough to squeeze through.
- If a mouse finds a rotted sill (also called a sole plate), it can chew through and enter the wall voids in your basement or first floor. Have you ever heard mice climbing in your walls? This is probably how they got in there.
- If a mouse finds an unprotected downspout, it can climb up to your roof and get in through seals around roof penetrations and soffits.
- A mouse can claw and chew on your roofline and gain entrance to the trough. Once inside, it can keep chewing until it gets into your attic space or wall voids.
- It might be creepy thinking about mice climbing your exterior, but it is important to know. They can get in through unprotected vents, louvers, and other openings that are high up.
- Before mice get into your home, and before you have mice problems, they may target your garage. A mouse can chew a tiny hole to get under the seal of your garage door.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Mice
If mice have gotten into your home, the best solution is to contact a residential pest management professional. When residents attempt to get rid of mice, it often makes the problem worse or allows the problem to continue to present a threat to health and property.
Get Help: If you have mice problems, reach out to Innovative Pest Solutions for assistance. We offer industry-leading rodent control. Our friendly service professionals can solve this problem for you.
