What Attracts Mice? Common Factors That Invite Infestations

Grey rat near wooden wall on floor. Pest control

Mice are rodents that belong in nature, not in the safe and comfortable households we have created. However, it is common for mice to find their way indoors during the fall and winter months as they seek shelter from harsh weather conditions.

So, what are mice attracted to, and what makes them choose certain homes more than others?

In this Precise Termite & Pest Control article, we discuss what attracts mice to a house and how to eliminate those enticing factors that lead to infestations.

Easily Accessible Food

Mice need a steady food supply to live and thrive like all living beings. Therefore, mice are attracted to food sources that are easy to reach. They love crumbs on the floor, unsecured leftovers on the counter, and pet food in bowls.

You can deter mice by promptly cleaning up spills, securing trash cans, and storing food in airtight containers.

Standing or Dripping Water

Mice also need water to survive, so any water sources around your home are attractive to them. Mice may gravitate towards pet water bowls, decorative fountains, and house plants with standing water.

To prevent mice, fix leaky faucets and remove unattended water containers from your home.

Warm and Cozy Spots

Like us, mice want to be warm and comfortable during the winter. Cozy spots are particularly attractive to mice when they are reproducing and raising their babies.

Regularly inspect your home around heat sources like radiators and fireplaces to check for mice activity.

Areas Sheltered from Predators

When mice find shelter in your home, they can cause significant damage to your home’s structural integrity, wiring, and pipes. Mice move into these places to stay safe from predators.

Check behind your appliances, under furniture, and in uninhabited places like attics and crawl spaces to see if mice are using your home for shelter.

Piles of Clutter

Clutter around the house does more than just take up space and cause a sense of overwhelm. It also attracts mice because clutter provides excellent hiding spots from humans during the day.

It is best to keep your home tidy and minimize clutter to reduce the potential hiding places for mice and other pests.

Dirty, Unhygienic Places

If you have areas around your house that are dirty and unsanitary, these are also typical places to find mice. These areas are breeding grounds for mice-borne diseases that can make people and pets sick.

Avoid neglecting areas of your home and allowing them to become excessively dirty to prevent mice activity and infestations.

Contact Us for Professional Mice Control

We hope these examples help answer your questions about what attracts mice so you can take steps to protect your home.

At the first sign of mouse activity, contact Precise Termite & Pest Control online or at 866-971-2847. We offer free inspections to help you take control of the problem and enjoy a rodent-free home. As experts in mice extermination, we know what attracts mice and how to remove them effectively while preventing them from returning.

Life is too short to worry about rodent issues. Let us take care of it so you can relax and feel comfortable in your home.