Although mice don’t hibernate in winter, they’re still considered a seasonal pest because they tend to become more troublesome during the colder months.
There are a number of reasons for this. The first and most obvious is that during summer, crops have ripened and there are plenty of delicious fruits for them to eat. Although it doesn’t always feel like it, most pests will generally do everything they can to avoid contact with humans so when there’s an abundance of naturally available food during the warmer months, they have no reason to invade our territory.
Many of us enjoy going on picnics or having barbecues in the garden when it’s nice outside. You may also be more inclined to feed pets outside so they can bask in the sunshine while enjoying their meal. The crumbs we drop and the leftovers from your pet’s meal provide a great food source for mice so again, there’s no need for them to try to look for food inside.
The warmer weather also means that mice don’t need to use their energy to keep warm. In winter they’ll do everything they can to conserve energy and this means locating and staying close to an easy source of food. This is a stark contrast to summer when there’s plenty of food and warmth to keep them well fuelled.
Mice are also more likely to venture into our homes and offices in winter for protection. Not just against the weather but also against predators. While the leaves are still on the trees, there’s plenty of vegetation to provide cover but once the trees are bare and there are no leaves on the ground, there’s very little protection against predators.
Although we’re more likely to see mice in our homes during winter, the rodent population is actually at its highest by late summer/early autumn. As the weather turns cold and food supplies dry up however, this is when they start moving into buildings.
How do I stop mice coming into my house during winter?
Mice can squeeze through gaps of just 1cm so the best way to stop them coming in is to fill any potential entry points. You may have holes in brickwork, pipework, gaps in window or door frames, a loose roof tile, an air conditioning unit, vents or they may even get in under the foundations of the building.
As autumn sets in, our garden are normally covered in leaves and other tree debris. Try to rake this up and dispose of it as soon as possible because it provides great shelter and warmth for mice who are likely to eventually make their way inside.
It’s highly advisable to call a professional pest controller if you suspect you may have a mouse infestation. They’ve set up home in your property because they’ve found a good source of food, warmth and shelter so it’s highly unlikely they’re going to move on out of choice.
If you give Prokill a call on 0800 328 9354 we can book you in for a free pest control audit and we also have lots of great advice about preventing future outbreaks, alternatively contact us via our online enquiry form.
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