The world seems to be suffering from a rodent epidemic! These crafty creatures have been on the rise globally, but in the last few years, they have proliferated throughout the United States. As the demand for rodent control services increases, pest managers say climate change could be fueling the devastating mice outbreak.

Naturally, mice cannot hibernate or reduce their body temperature needs to survive the cold winter weather. Hence, they ensure their survival by finding a warm place to forage for food and build their nests.

Unfortunately, garages are vulnerable to mice infestations, typically because they provide their three basic needs – food, water, and warmth. But the worst news is that once inside your garage, it’s only a matter of time before the rodents find their way into your house. Here’s how to keep mice out of the garage this winter.

What Attracts Mice to My Garage?

The truth is that mice have become remarkably well-adapted to living with humans. Like other rodents, mice are warm-blooded creatures. Hence, they actively seek warmth, especially during winter when temperatures drop. In fact, these smart pests can detect the warmth of your garage through tiny cracks and use that as an invitation to invade.

Worse still, mice have evolved to eat the things we eat, including fruits, vegetables, grains, and even meat. Yet, mice are not picky eaters; they will eat just about anything else they can get their paws on. Basically, pet food, bird seed, and the garbage bin in your garage calls out to mice.

Mice are nocturnal pests. They prefer to occupy the dark, undisturbed areas of your home, only emerging at night to forage for food. They typically build their nests in places where they are less likely to be disturbed. That’s why rarely used garages are a hotspot for mice infestations.

Signs of Mice in Garage

Mice are far more clever than your typical spider or cockroach. One of the main reasons they are so hard to get rid of using the DIY approach is that they are skilled at staying hidden. Besides being nocturnal and occupying the undisturbed areas of your garage, mice are excellent jumpers and climbers.

Plus, they move exceedingly fast and can squeeze through unimaginably tiny holes, making it hard for homeowners to see or even suspect an infestation.

Luckily, mice often leave the following tell-tale signs of their presence in your garage:

• Small and dark mice droppings scattered around the garage
• Scratching sounds in walls and ceilings
• Damaged food staffs
• A strong ammonia-like smell lingering in the garage
• Gnaw or scratch marks on walls and other surfaces
• Nesting materials such as shredded papers and dried plant matter
• Live or dead mouse           

How to Keep Mice Out of Garage This Winter?

Now that you know the factors that can attract mice into your garage this winter, keeping them out is pretty easy. Technically, the best way to keep mice out of the garage is by making it completely unappealing to them. Here are effective tips to make your garage unattractive to mice:

• Declutter your garage as much as possible and keep things organized to eliminate possible mice hiding spots.
• Ensure all foods stored in the garage, including bird seed and dog food, are sealed in glass containers or thick plastic boxes.
• Use caulk to seal all possible mice entry points, such as cracks in walls. Consider using steel wool to seal any gaps leading into the garage.
• Trim vegetation and tree branches to ensure mice do not use them as a highway into your home or garage.
• Piles of firewood should be placed as far from your house and garage as possible.
• Keep trash cans outdoors and always keep them sealed tightly

The Most Effective Way to Keep Mice Out of Garage This Winter

Sadly, mice are intelligent little creatures. They take advantage of the weakest areas in your house or garage to let themselves in. Thanks to their small sizes and flexible ribcages, these notorious pests can flatten themselves and squeeze through the tiniest holes into your garage. Hence, it’s challenging for homeowners to completely rodent-proof their garage to keep mice away.

Luckily, pest control experts are highly trained and experienced in getting rid of mice and keeping them away from your garage for good. The experts will thoroughly inspect your property to determine the root cause of the mice problem and factors that may be attracting the pests to your premises. Based on these findings, they will customize a mice control solution that will get rid of mice in your garage and keep them out long-term.