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.