When is Mouse Season?

For homeowners in the US, mouse season usually starts in the fall, around September, when nighttime temperatures begin to drop and outdoor food gets scarce. So while you’re out enjoying a Pumpkin Spice Latte and Instagramming your love of #SweaterWeather, mice are planning and plotting ways to escape the cold by moving into a warm, cozy home.

When these pests make their way inside, many homeowners may be unaware that they even have a mouse problem. Rodents are typically most active at night, since that’s when there’s the least amount of danger. They hide out during the day unless they’re looking for food or water. If they are in your home, you may hear tiny scratches and squeaks from them scurrying around or see other signs of these pests around the house like gnaw marks and mouse droppings.

Understanding what time of year mice are looking to move inside makes it easy for you to begin preparing to prevent them from choosing your home to build their nest.

What Time of Year Do Mice Come Inside?

While you can have problems with these critters year-round, as the temperatures drop, the rodent problems typically begin to rise. 

Mouse season begins when the first cold snap hits. For many places across the US, this generally means early to mid-fall, with activity continuing through winter.

Here’s a general breakdown of when these pests are most likely to enter homes and how their behavior changes throughout the year (keep in mind this changes based on weather conditions in different regions):

• Fall (September–November): As temperatures cool and outdoor food becomes less available, mice increasingly seek warmth, food, and shelter inside homes.
• Winter (December–February): Mice don’t hibernate, so they remain active throughout the colder months and may continue nesting and reproducing inside homes.
• Spring and summer (March–August): Warmer weather and more abundant outdoor food can reduce the need for mice to seek indoor shelter. However, those already living inside may stick around.

When the weather begins to get cooler, it’s time to start thinking about rodent control solutions. Just like us, mice and rats want shelter to escape the cold and food to fill their bellies, and they can find all these comforts inside your home.

Common interests aside, rodents and other pests are unwelcome intruders. They can spread disease, damage property, and give you a serious case of the heebie-jeebies! Don’t let rodents set their sights on your home this winter.

How to Keep Mice Out of Your Home During Peak Rodent Season

The best way to get rid of mice is to keep them from entering your space in the first place. Keeping these creatures outside where they belong is a good thing, but pesticides like rat poison are dangerous to people, pets, and other animals too.

Consider these steps to keep rodents away from your home naturally:

1. Weatherproofing your home is key. This will lead to electric bill savings and peace of mind. Make sure there are no gaps around doors, windows, or other access points, and that any crevice is sealed up tightly to keep mice out. A lot like cold air, rodents can squeeze in through very small entry (openings as small as ¼ inch) .
   
   
2. Store items in air-tight, chew-proof containers. Keeping winter gear neatly stored will clean up the clutter while reducing stress and rodent hiding spots. Store food and pantry items in air-tight containers to help them last longer, and keep them safe from hungry pests.
   
   
3. Pick up your pet food dishes and don’t leave them on the floor. Pet food makes the perfect food source for hungry rodents.
   
   
4. Keep an eye on spaces where mice hang out. Regularly look around your home for signs of possible rodent infestation. You might notice these in areas near food like kitchen cabinets or in undisturbed areas such as basements and crawl spaces. Look for feces, chew marks on walls or electrical wires, and other signs of these critters.
   
   
5. Finally, consider using a botanical rodent repellent Setting out a pouch of

   Fresh Cab® Rodent

   will not only help get rid of mice but will prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Even if it’s too cold to go outside, the fresh, woodsy scent will remind you of the outdoors all while repelling rodents.

Protect Your Home Year-Round with EarthKind

After you’ve done a little due diligence to prevent a mouse infestation, there is plenty left to enjoy about this time of year. The days may be getting shorter, but cooler temperatures and earlier nights are the perfect excuse for snuggling up in your comfiest clothes and enjoying a guilt-free night of binge-watching your favorite show. The holidays will be here before we know it, but for now, sit back, relax and savor the season!

Shop Stay Away® Rodent online or in stores to prevent mice from coming into your home this season.