If you’ve ever heard scratching in the walls at night or spotted mouse droppings in your pantry, you know how unsettling mice can be. They may look cute in cartoons, but real-life mice don’t sing, don’t bake cookies, and certainly don’t help with housework. In fact, mice can become a major problem — fast.

They chew through insulation and wiring, contaminate food, spread bacteria, and reproduce at an alarming rate. In other words: one mouse is never just one mouse. 

This guide breaks down exactly how mice get in, how to keep them out, and what to do if they’ve already made themselves at home — so you can protect your property, your family, and your peace of mind.

How Mice Sneak Into Your Home

Mice are resourceful creatures, and they only need an opening the size of a dime to enter your home. Common entry points include:

• Cracks in your foundation or siding
• Gaps around utility lines and pipes
• Loose or damaged weatherstripping
• Open garage doors (even for a few minutes!)
• Overgrown shrubs or tree branches touching the home — which act as a “mouse highway” straight to your roof

So why do mice move inside for the winter?

As temperatures drop in fall and winter, mice look for the same things we all want—warmth, food, and shelter. Inside your home, all three are readily available.

Here’s the catch: at the first sign of activity, you should take action. Mice reproduce rapidly, so ignoring even one sighting or a few droppings can quickly lead to a full infestation. If you know there are gaps around your garage or pipes, sealing them early can prevent a major headache later.

Prevention is Key

The best way to deal with mice? Don’t let them get inside in the first place.

A well-sealed home is your strongest defense. Key steps for sealing your home include:

• Installing door sweeps
• Weatherstripping around windows and doors
• Sealing cracks, gaps, and utility openings – particularly around garage doors and pipes
  
  

Many homeowners don’t notice vulnerabilities until rodents already have. A seasonal inspection identifies issues before mice do—saving you time, money, and stress.

If you want true peace of mind, the Thomas Pest Services Complete Care Plan combines routine inspections, preventative treatments, and expert exclusion work to stop mice before they become a problem.

3. Smart Storage & Home Habits

Make your home less appealing to pests with a few simple changes:

• Store food in airtight containers
• Minimize clutter, especially in basements, attics, and garages
• Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes
• Keep shrubs trimmed and remove any debris – leaves, woodpiles, etc. – that provides shelter near the home

What to Do if Mice are Already Inside

If you missed the window for prevention and mouse sightings have occurred, removal needs to be done quickly and correctly.

DIY Treatments: Pros & Cons

Traps and baits can work—when used properly. But rodents are highly intelligent. Incorrect placement or baiting doesn’t just fail—it teaches mice to avoid those areas in the future.

Ultrasonic devices may seem appealing, but they are not a long-term solution. Mice often adjust to the noise over time, and the devices do nothing to fix the root issue – which is how they got inside in the first place.

Why Professional Help Matters

Fighting a mouse infestation is more complex than just catching one or two rodents with cheese on a mousetrap. Our licensed professionals:

• Identify and seal entry points
• Use science-based strategies for effective trapping and baiting
• Understand rodent biology and behavior
• Provide long-term prevention, not just a quick fix. We not only get rid of mice, we prevent infestation
  
  

Too many homeowners only call for help after hearing scratching in the walls. By then, mice may have already:

• Nested inside insulation
• Damaged wiring
• Contaminated food and storage areas
  
  

Professional removal ensures safety, efficiency, and long-lasting results. A proactive plan eliminates that risk entirely. With ongoing prevention, you save stress, avoid costly repairs, and enjoy a home that stays pest-free—season after season.

Take Control Before Mice Move In

Mice don’t wait for an invitation, and once they’re comfortable, they can be very hard to evict. So staying ahead is the smartest and safest approach. With the Thomas Pest Services Complete Care Plan, you don’t have to wait until you see or hear signs of mice. Prevention keeps your home protected year-round.

When you reach out, you’ll receive:

• A no-charge rodent audit to identify activity and entry points
• A customized removal and prevention plan
• Proven solutions to end their stay for good

Ready to protect your home with proactive, expert care? Our licensed team is here to help you prevent and eliminate mice—before they become a costly problem.

Get Your Free Estimate Today.