What is a Mouse Nest?
Where do mice nest?
Mice have lived near people for as long as humans began living in permanent or semi-permanent structures. By settling near manmade structures, mice ensure they have easy access to food and shelter.
Illustration of House Mouse
A mouse nest located in, underneath, or near a home gives the pests protection from predators, as well as insulation from severe temperature changes.
What are mouse nests made out of?
To build a safe nest, mice use materials like grass, other types of vegetation and whatever else may be available to provide a warm, comfortable nest to live.
What does a mouse nest look like?
Typically, a mouse nest is dome-shaped with one exit hole, but mice nests vary depending upon the nesting space and the nest construction materials located nearby.
Where do mice like to hide?
Outdoors, mice nests can be found beneath dense underbrush, tall grass, or thick shrubbery. Inside a home, mice usually build their dens in undisturbed, enclosed spaces, including:
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Drawers - An unused sliding drawer filled with paper provides the perfect spot for a mouse nest.
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Wall voids - Mice will chew through the drywall to get into these quiet, hidden areas within your home's walls and crawlspaces.
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Voids under homes in subfloor cabinets.
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False ceilings - Foul-smelling mouse waste will saturate and ruin panels when the pests den inside these spaces.
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Refrigerator motor compartments and voids under other kitchen appliances - Rodents will often chew wiring and cause damage resulting in costly repairs.
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Garage clutter - Little-used, concealed areas full of debris are prime targets for mouse nests.
What are mice attracted to in a house?
These pests like to stay relatively close to their nest when searching for food. If you see a mouse, it is a good sign that the nest is nearby, unless they need to forage considerable distances for food. But if food is close by, mice may not need to search more than 5-30 feet to find something to eat.
How to Remove a Mouse Nest
A single mouse nest could be home to a mother and many juvenile mice, so infestations may be more severe than they seem at first. The pest control experts at Orkin can remove mice and their nests quickly and effectively. For help getting rid of mice, call your local Orkin branch today.