Why Winter Brings Mice Indoors
As temperatures drop in October and November, mice start looking for somewhere warm to nest. Your home offers everything they need: warmth, shelter, and usually a reliable food source. House mice (*Mus musculus*) can squeeze through a gap as small as 6mm, roughly the diameter of a pencil.
In the East Midlands, we typically see a sharp increase in mouse call-outs between October and February.
How Mice Get In
The most common entry points:
- Gaps around pipes where they pass through external walls (kitchen and bathroom are most common)
- Air bricks that are damaged or have missing mesh
- Gaps under doors, especially back doors and garage doors
- Holes in cavity walls around where cables enter the property
- Gaps in roof soffits where the material has cracked or lifted
- Weep holes in cavity wall ties (these need to remain open but can be fitted with mesh)
Proofing Your Home: A Room-by-Room Guide
Kitchen
This is where mice most often set up home first. Check:
- Under the sink for gaps around the waste pipe and supply pipes
- Behind the kickboards under units, mice regularly nest in this space
- Around the back of appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, fridge)
- Any gaps where the worktop meets the wall
Utility Room and Garage
- Check around the washing machine and dryer pipes
- Garage doors rarely seal perfectly; a strip draught excluder on the bottom helps
- Check where any cables or pipes enter through the wall
Outside the Property
- Walk around the base of the building looking for gaps at ground level
- Check the condition of your air bricks; replace any with broken or missing mesh
- Ensure your compost bin is sealed and kept away from the house
- Don't leave pet food outside overnight
What to Use to Seal Gaps
- Expanding foam is effective but mice can chew through it if untreated; use foam designed for pest proofing or top it with wire wool or metal plate
- Wire wool pushed firmly into gaps is a good temporary measure but will rust over time
- Metal mesh or kick plates for around doors and larger gaps
- Gnaw-resistant sealant for smaller cracks
Signs You Already Have Mice
- Droppings (small, dark, 3–6mm, often in cupboards or along walls)
- Scratching sounds in walls or under floorboards at night
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, cables, or skirting boards
- A stale, musty smell in cupboards or under the sink
- Nests made from shredded paper, fabric, or insulation
What to Do If They're Already In
DIY traps can help manage numbers but won't eliminate an infestation, particularly if mice are nesting inside walls or under floors. A professional will:
- Identify all access points
- Place professional-grade bait in tamper-proof stations
- Proof the entry points to prevent re-entry
- Return to confirm clearance
Don't leave it; a pair of mice can produce up to 60 offspring in a year.
Mouse Control in Leicester & the Midlands
Pest Control 24/7 covers Leicester, Wigston, Oadby, Blaby, Hinckley, Loughborough, and across the Midlands. Same-day and emergency call-outs available 24/7.
Call 0116 3667269 or get a free quote online.