Late Summer Mice Problems

Why mice are a problem in late summer

What makes a mouse want to come inside during the summer? Don't they have lovely, warm places to live outdoors this time of year? These rodents infest homes over the summer for a couple of good reasons.

• Searching for food
  As natural food sources start to dwindle in late summer, mice will search for more reliable food options. Unfortunately, your home, with its stocked cabinets and pantry, is a temptation they cannot resist. Of course, pet food and garbage will also attract these pests.
• Growing population
  Mice breed all year round, but as late summer progresses, the mouse population expands. With limited outdoor resources, they need to spread out and find new nesting areas, which leads them to infest homes.
• Preparing for cooler weather
  Even though it’s not cold yet, mice instinctively prepare for winter, starting at the end of summer. In late summer, mice look for secure locations to store food and build nests for the colder seasons ahead. Your shed, garage, basement, or attic could be the spot they’re looking for.

How mice get into Midwest homes 

• General cracks and gaps
  Mice slip through minor cracks or gaps in your home’s exterior. They'll squeeze in or gnaw their way around windows and doors, cracks in your foundation, and spaces where pipes or wire conduits enter your house.
• Vents and chimneys
  If they’re not properly sealed or screened, vents, such as those for your dryer or attic, can provide easy access for mice. A chimney is another potential entry point, especially if it isn't capped or has no damper.
• Gaps in cellar doors or crawl space doors
  If you have a cellar or crawl space door outside your house, you may have a unique vulnerability. Doors not sealed well can allow a little mouse (or several) to crawl inside.
• Garage doors
  If your garage door doesn’t seal tightly to the floor or has small gaps along the edges, mice can easily slip under or around it. Once inside the garage, it’s only a short trip to the rest of your home.
• Rotted wood
  In nature, mice live in logs, stumps, and tree cavities. They make these natural wood homes larger by gnawing on the wood. They will do the same to a home's wood if it is softened by moisture damage. When they chew on wood, they can make a hole and slip into your wall voids.

When a mouse gets into your home, you may hear it skittering and squeaking noises in your walls or coming from your attic—but there is a good chance you won't hear it. A mouse can be—well—as quiet as a mouse. Therefore, it is a good idea to know how to detect signs of mouse activity inside your home.

Signs you have a mouse problem

Mice are nocturnal. This means you might not see them during the day. However, they will leave plenty of evidence that they’re around. Here are some signs of mice to watch out for:

• Mouse droppings
  Mouse droppings are small and dark-colored. They look a bit like dark grains of rice. You may find them in your pantry, along baseboards, or near food sources. You can also find them in secluded spaces. For instance, you may find them sprinkled on your attic insulation.
• Nests
  Mice build nests in attics and other storage areas, wall voids, under cabinets, and behind appliances – anywhere they can avoid detection. Mouse nests typically look like small, messy bundles of shredded materials, such as attic insulation, fabric, and paper they steal from the house. They might also use plant matter they bring indoors.
• Gnaw marks
  Mice chew on just about anything to keep their teeth sharp. Look for gnaw marks on food packaging, cardboard boxes, wires, pipes, stored Christmas decorations, clothing, insulation, drywall, etc.

These are the subtle signs of an infestation. If mice are allowed to stay in your home, the signs will grow, and you'll start to see (and smell) other less subtle signs.

How to prevent mice from infesting your home

There are ways to keep mice from entering your cellar, basement, pantry, kitchen, attic, and other places you don’t want. If you tackle this, you must start by correcting the mentioned areas. Here are a few rodent prevention tips to get you started:

• Seal potential entry points.
• Secure all food options, including garbage.
• Reduce clutter and store items in durable plastic bins with tight-fitting lids.
• Keep up with yard work.
• Pick up dog waste.
• Harvest your garden and pick up fruit that has fallen off trees.
• Install new door sweeps and weatherstripping.
• Make sure all vents are protected.

You can deter mice if you're willing to do the hard work, but there is an easier—and more effective—way to keep mice out. It's called Miller Guard.

Why you should consider Miller Guard

Preventing mice from entering your home is crucial, but this can be a big job. That’s where Miller Guard can help. Our comprehensive home pest control plan is designed to protect your home from mice and other pests year-round. With the Miller Guard plan, you’ll receive:

• Regular inspections
  Our trained technicians will thoroughly inspect your home for potential entry points and signs of mice. We’ll identify any areas that need attention and take steps to secure them.
• Preventative treatments
  We use effective treatments to create a barrier around your home. This will deter mice and other pests from coming inside. These treatments are designed to be long-lasting so you can enjoy peace of mind even during peak pest seasons. If necessary, we’ll treat inside the home, too.
• Ongoing support
  If you ever have a pest problem in between services, we’re just a phone call away. Our team is always ready to provide no-cost treatments for covered pests.

By enrolling in Miller Guard, you’re taking a proactive approach to pest control. Instead of waiting for mice to become a problem, we’re helping you stop them before they get in. This protects your home and saves you the time and hassle of dealing with an infestation on your own. Check the plan features below or connect with us via phone or form today!