Don’t Forget To Check These 7 Secret Places For Mice
Mice have a talent for slipping into places you would never expect. They don't need much space, just a gap the width of a pencil. If you keep finding signs of activity but can't seem to locate where they're hiding, it often comes down to the more overlooked areas around the home, and a careful check can save you from a larger problem later on. Here are six places that people miss most often.
Behind Large Appliances
The narrow space behind your stove or fridge is ideal for mice. It is warm, dark and rarely disturbed. Crumbs and grease build up there, which gives them an easy food source. Pull these appliances out just enough to look behind them. A flashlight will help you see droppings, shredded paper, or chewed wiring. If you do spot evidence, clean the area and block any gaps with steel wool or hardware cloth so they can't return.
Under Bathroom Vanities
Bathroom cabinets often hide small pipes and gaps where mice slip through. Warmth from plumbing and the steady supply of water nearby is what draws them in. These spaces also stay dark, which gives them confidence to explore. Open the cabinet and check behind anything stored inside. Look for gnawed soap bars, shredded toilet paper or tiny droppings. Seal the openings around pipes with expanding foam or metal mesh so they can no longer squeeze in.
Behind Stored Firewood
If you keep firewood inside or stacked against the house, mice may settle in without you noticing. Wood provides both shelter and insects as food, which attract them even more. Move the pile away from walls and check the floor and corners for trails or nests. Indoors, store only a small amount of wood at a time. Outdoors, leave space between the wall and the pile so you can see behind it easier and break up hiding spots.
Inside the Attic Eaves
Attic eaves offer a very hidden path where mice travel and nest. These small side spaces collect insulation and dust, which make them comfortable for rodents. Most people never look there, so problems tend to grow larger before anyone notices. Use a bright light and inspect the edges of the attic floor and the pocket-like areas near the roofline. If you find activity, remove contaminated insulation and seal the gaps where the roof meets the walls.
Under Heavy Furniture
Couches, dressers and stored trunks can hide mice for weeks. These pieces tend not to get moved often, which gives mice a nice, covered path to come and go. Lift corners or slide the furniture enough to look underneath. Check for droppings, chewed fabric or loose stuffing. Clean the space and reduce any gaps where mice can set up a nest. Occasional checks help you catch issues before they spread to other rooms.
Inside Hallway Closets
Closets create a sheltered environment that mice love. Extra shoes, folded blankets and old bags provide nesting material. Since closets stay closed most of the time, it is easy to miss signs of activity. Check the back corners and the floor near the door frame. Look for small holes or chew marks in stored items. If you find any, remove clutter and store soft materials in sealed containers. This limits hiding spots and makes future checks faster.
Within the Garage Corners
Garages store tools, boxes and supplies that create easy hiding places, where mice can slip behind stacked items and travel along the walls. Since garages stay open more often, it's one of the most common entry points for mice. Look along the floor where the wall meets the concrete. Search behind stored bags or old equipment. Remove clutter and place items on shelves so mice can't hide as easily. Seal any gaps near the garage door tracks.
Mice thrive in spots that stay dark, warm and rarely disturbed. A careful search in these overlooked places can help you stop a small problem before it turns into damage, an infestation, or contamination. Check these areas every few weeks and seal any openings as soon as you find them. With steady attention and a few simple repairs, you can keep your home far less inviting to unwanted guests.