How Mice Get Into Burlington Homes?

No one wants a mouse running across their kitchen floor. In Burlington Ontario, it happens. More often than we would like to admit. These tiny pests are savvy little house thieves that have mastered sneaking in. Additionally, mice might be challenging to remove once they’re inside. So, how do they even get in all the time?

It Begins with Weather

As the temperatures get lower, mice go looking for warmth. Your home is the perfect getaway for them to get warm. Burlington winters can really drive the little guys out exploring for shelter, food, and nesting. If the mice find holes, no matter how small, they will use them.

It is not about the cold, of course. Rainy days or stormy weather will entice them indoors too. Mice looking for a dry space, where the floor has crumbs on it? Perfect.

Common Entry Points for Mice

Gaps Under Doors

Check the outside doors of your home. Especially in the basement or garage. Are there gaps underneath the doors? As mice only need an opening the size of a dime, there usually is a gap of some size.

Weather stripping stops working. Door sweeps fall off. And, as irritating as this might be, mice will take advantage. If the mouse can smell food while sitting outside, it will attempt to crawl through any opened vent. Once a mouse finds an entry point, you can bet they will return.

Cracks in the Foundation

Burlington homes deal with shifting soil and settling foundations, which makes it hard to miss. Cracks may be tiny, but to a mouse.

These typically will show at or near the ground, where the housing structure meets the foundation of the wall. Mice are great climbers and will not struggle squeezing through a tiny crack.

Most homeowners will not notice until they start to see droppings or hear scratchy noises. At this point, the mice are already settled in!

Open Vents and Utility Pipes

These are the pipes where dryer exhaust, exhaust fans, and air condition units entrain air. Most grates have gaps or holes, some grates are loose, some grates are broken, and some are missing entirely.

Don’t forget the holes from your utility lines. Water and cable lines run directly into our homes. If you see the hole around your pipe, that is peak access for mice. Mice are drawn to warmth and can smell food from a distance without hesitation.

Garage Doors

Garages are usually the first welcome mat for mice. Many Burlington garages have imperfect or non-tight seals that grants mice access through the garage doors. The mice sneak under or around the garage door and into your home through the interior wall.

There is little light, little noise, and initially no people, giving them time to navigate boxes, and storage types. Mice can remain in the garage for days before they occupy your space.

Roof Gaps and Chimneys

Yes, mice climb, and they can climb really well. Fallen branches can assist them with their upward movement onto roofs. From there, it’s only a hop, skip, and jump to slip into a chimney (they aren’t made of gold) or an attic vent.

Older Burlington homes will have smaller roof openings, which are used to vent. If that piece of mesh has been damaged or is missing, mice crawl into the aperture and into the house. Once they crawl into the attic, they chew through insulation and wiring and will nest in the walls.

Basement Windows and Window Wells

Look at your basement windows. Are they sealed correctly? Are they even closed tightly? Many homeowners will forget to inspect their basement windows.

Basement windows will be lower to the ground, which may also contain wells with old leaves or rotten pockets of water offering perfect camouflage.

They can find gaps around the frame. Or they push through screens that aren’t secure, and once in, the basement is theirs.

Pet Doors and Poorly Sealed Screens

Have a pet door? Great for your dog and also great for unwanted guests. Mice push through flexible flap doors, especially if the smell of pet food is near.

Same with screen doors and windows. All a mouse needs is a tear in the screen. They chew, push, and squeeze through the tear.

Clutter Outside the Home

Clutter equals places to hide. Stacks of wood, unused chairs, or overgrown bushes give mice cover. They are hidden from you in the daytime, and once it’s dark, they can explore your home.

Burlington yards with compost bins, bird feeders, etc., are a significant attraction for field mice. Mice smell food, and therefore settle down close by, and look for entry points into their new, cozy home.

So, What Can You Do?

First and foremost, you need to be aware. You now know how mice get into your Burlington home. Next you need to take action.

Walk around your home checking for cracks, broken or missing mesh filters or vents, your basement, and your garage. Seal off every minuscule gap or crack you can locate.

Put metal mesh over vents you can’t seal. Contact your building supplier to purchase replacement window and door weather stripping.

Keep food in sealed containers. Stop adding to your yard clutter. Trim off branches touching your roof.

You may need a weekend to get this complete, but hove at it. You will be glad you did.

Don’t Wait Until You Hear Them!

The biggest mistake you can make is to only react when you hear scratching. By the time you hear scratching, you are already invaded, and they have most likely bred, and you will possibly be facing an infestation.

It is easier to prevent an entry point, than it is to clean up the mess! Mice carry germs, and residual materials when they chew wires and the droppings. Often these items – are not good.

So, be ahead of the game and prevent entry to your home. Don’t give them a reason to choose your home.

Connect With Maximum Pest Control Services Team

Don’t wait for mice. If you’ve seen signs, then Maximum Pest Control Services insured and bonded team is here for you. We are the specialists in keeping Burlington homes rodent free. We will locate, seal, and implement tried and proven solutions.

You don’t have to deal with this alone. Whatever your situation may be, one mouse or a complete infestation, we have your back! Call Maximum Pest Control and get a full inspection and a professional service (905) 582-5502.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mice in Burlington Homes

1. How do I know if I have mice in my Burlington home?

Common signs include behind the walls scratching noises at night, mouse droppings, chewed wires, and gnawed food packaging. If you notice these, it’s time to call  us.

2. What is the most common entry point for mice?

In Burlington homes, exterior gaps under doors, outside cracks in the foundation, and open utility pipes are the top access points for mice.

3. Can mice really squeeze through tiny openings?

Yes. Mice can fit through holes as small as a dime. That’s why very important to sealing even the smallest gaps is critical for prevention.

4. Is it safe to handle a mouse infestation on my own?

It’s best to call a professional like Maximum Pest Control Services. DIY traps may miss nests and leave the problem unresolved always.

5. How quickly can you come for a mice inspection?

We provide same-day or next-day service in Burlington Ontario. Call Maximum (905) 582-5502 to book rodents inspection for your home or business.