Got Mice? Here's 8 Reasons Why They're In Your House

Ever wonder what makes your home so appealing to those pesky little mice? It’s not just the warmth and shelter—there’s a lot more that can turn your space into a mouse magnet. In fact, you might be unknowingly rolling out the red carpet for these nasty little pests.

Need some help keeping them away? These are 8 things that attract mice right into your living space. By knowing what draws them in, you can take proactive steps to keep them out.

Garbage

full trash can — Image Credit: Daynjer-In-Focus from Getty Images/ Canva Pro.

Ever tossed your food scraps in the bin and thought nothing of it? Well, for the mice lurking around, that’s practically an open invitation to a feast. Just throwing food waste into an unsecured trash bag or bin is a pretty bad idea.

Plastic bags are also no match for hungry mice—they can easily chew through them to get to the goodies inside. Make sure your garbage is well secured, preferably in a sturdy can with a tight-fitting lid.

Dirty Dishes and Pet Food

pet food 1 — Image Credit: pixelshot/ Canva Pro.

Think your kitchen is clean? You might want to look a little closer. Even a few grains of sugar, rice, or oats that escape the sweep and hide under the cabinets can attract mice. Those dirty dishes in your sink and pet food left out can turn into a mouse party real quick. Making sure to clean up thoroughly and fast, and keeping pet food dishes clear when not in use, are huge steps in keeping your kitchen mouse-free.

Clutter

Got a bit of a clutter habit? You might also be setting up a perfect place for mice without even knowing it. Mice are all about making cozy nests for themselves, and they’re pretty resourceful with the materials they find around your house.

Old newspapers, cotton, wood scraps, feathers, and even discarded boxes in your attic or garage can become prime real estate for these little critters. The solution? Keep your spaces tidy and take out the trash regularly.

Unsealed Gaps

sealing gap — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If a pencil can slide into a crack or hole in your home, a mouse can squeeze through it too. Their skulls are about the width of a pencil, and if their heads can fit, their bodies can follow. So take a look around your house, especially checking entryways, around pipes, and where electrical wiring comes in. Seal up any gaps bigger than a pencil’s width.

Your Favorite Snacks

You might be surprised to learn that mice aren’t actually big fans of cheese. Instead, they go gaga for goodies like peanut butter, chocolate, bacon, grains, and even pet food. If these treats are just hanging out unsecured in your pantry, they could be sending out a VIP invite to some unwanted guests. So, make sure you store everything securely in airtight containers.

Warmth

As the chill sets in, your home starts to pretty cozy to mice. According to Suburban Pest, these critters have a knack for sniffing out warmth. They’re drawn to any little openings in your walls that might be letting out some heat.

Ever thought about your hot water heater or oven as a potential mouse hotel? Well, it might be worth taking a look. Keeping an eye on these areas and setting up a bait station can help keep your home from becoming a winter retreat for these pesky visitors.

Tall Weeds

Mice might not be grazing on your tall grass, but they sure do love using it as a hideout. Tall weeds and piles of leaves provide the perfect shelter for these little critters, keeping them hidden and safe from prying eyes.

So what’s the solution? Keep your yard tidy. Regularly clear out any debris, especially those autumn leaves that tend to gather around your house.

Parked Cars

mouse in car — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Think your car is just for commuting? Mice might see it as a potential home! Especially if it’s a bit of a mess inside with food wrappers and other trash. These rodents are on the hunt for food, water, and shelter, and your parked car might just be their perfect spot.