Top 5 Places Mice Hide During Winter (And How Brooks Finds Them)
When temperatures drop, mice head indoors looking for warmth, food, and safety. Unfortunately, your home has everything they need to survive the cold months—and they’re masters at hiding in places you’d never think to look.
At Brooks Pest Control, our licensed technicians know where mice go, how to find them, and how to keep them from coming back. Use this visual inspection guide to learn the top 5 hiding spots for mice this winter—and how our team locates them fast.
1. The Attic
Why they love it:
Warm air rises, making attics one of the coziest nesting spots for mice. They love the insulation, cardboard boxes, and old decorations stored up there.
What to look for:
- Chewed wires or shredded insulation
- Droppings near beams or stored items
- Scratching or scampering sounds at night
How Brooks finds them:
Our team inspects insulation seams, rafters, and storage areas with flashlights and thermal sensors to locate nests and track entry points.
2. Inside Walls & Insulation
Why they love it:
Mice can slip through holes as small as a dime to access the hollow spaces behind your walls and inside insulation. Once inside, they’re nearly invisible.
What to look for:
- Rustling or squeaking sounds behind walls
- Small holes or greasy rub marks near baseboards
- Drafts or gaps near plumbing and wiring
How Brooks finds them:
We check behind plumbing, wiring, and utility penetrations using mirrors and detection tools to find rodent pathways and nesting areas.
3. Kitchen Appliances (Stove & Dishwasher Compartments)
Why they love it:
These spots are dark, warm, and near food—making them prime nesting areas. Mice often live under or behind stoves, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
What to look for:
- Food crumbs under appliances
- Chewed wires or insulation
- A musty odor behind the unit
How Brooks finds them:
Our technicians carefully pull out and inspect appliances, checking behind vents and under wiring panels where mice often burrow.
4. Garages & Storage Areas
Why they love it:
Garages offer easy access and plenty of clutter—cardboard boxes, tools, and old furniture are perfect for nesting.
What to look for:
- Torn insulation or shredded paper
- Gnaw marks on boxes
- Droppings near shelves or along walls
How Brooks finds them:
We perform detailed perimeter checks, examining garage doors, baseboards, and corners for droppings, nesting debris, and entry gaps.
5. Crawl Spaces & Basements
Why they love it:
These cool, quiet areas give mice protection and quick access to food sources and wall cavities.
What to look for:
- Droppings or nesting material near pipes
- Gaps around vents or drains
- Chewed insulation or wiring
How Brooks finds them:
Our team inspects crawl space vents, sump pump areas, and foundation cracks—then seals openings with rodent-proof materials.
How Brooks Pest Control Keeps Mice Out for Good
After identifying where mice are hiding, Brooks Pest Control takes a targeted and preventative approach to eliminate infestations and block re-entry.
Our rodent control process includes:
- Sealing all entry points with durable, chew-proof materials
- Setting up targeted bait and trap systems
- Reducing attractants like food sources and clutter
- Providing ongoing maintenance for lasting protection
Don’t Let Mice Make Themselves at Home This Winter
If you hear scratching, notice droppings, or suspect mice activity, don’t wait. A few can quickly turn into a full infestation. Call Brooks Pest Control today or schedule your professional rodent inspection online at brookspest.com.
Protect your home before winter pests move in.