Where Do Mice Hide in a House?

Very few homeowners have never had to deal with a mouse getting into and hiding in their house, as these small rodents are experts at finding cracks and gaps that provide an entryway inside.

House mice have an amazing ability to elongate their body so they can squeeze through a crack that is wider than ¼ inch, or a hole that is about the size of a dime.

How Do Mice Get In?

Probably the most likely place for a mouse to enter a house is through poorly fitting doors, especially under garage doors that have a gap of more than 1/4-3/8 inches.

Once inside, mice populations have small home ranges and their nests are built in a variety of locations.

Indoor Mouse Activity

House mice are the most likely commensal rodents to get inside a home. When mice hide in a house, they build nests, reproduce, and feed on the abundant foods that people make available to them.

Where Mice Hide

Outdoor Hiding Places

Outdoors, house mice are commonly found in the following places:

• Fields

• Woodlands

• Croplands

• Rock piles

• Piles of debris

• Tree cavities

Why Do Mice Come Inside?

The primary reasons mice choose to hide inside homes are:

• To escape cold weather

• To get away from predators

• To dine on the large variety of foods available to them indoors.

Indoor Hiding Places

The following places are some of the most common spots for mice to build their nests, hide, and live out their cryptic lifestyle:

• The bases of kitchen cabinets

• Wall voids that are insulated and located close to heat sources

• Voids in and behind large kitchen appliances

• Areas that are hidden by stored items and clutter

• Inside furniture and infrequently emptied or inspected storage boxes.