As winter approaches, many animals prepare for the colder months by hibernating or migrating to warmer climates.
However, for mice, winter presents a different challenge: how to survive in an environment where food is scarce, temperatures drop, and the risks from predators increase.
These small rodents have developed a range of adaptive strategies to make it through the winter, and unfortunately for many homeowners, this often involves moving into human dwellings.
This article explores what happens to mice in the winter and why it’s important to take preventative measures.
1. Seeking Shelter
Mice are warm-blooded mammals, meaning they need to maintain a constant body temperature to survive.
When the temperature drops, they search for warmer environments to nest in.
Homes, offices, and other buildings provide ideal shelters for mice during the winter, offering warmth, protection, and access to food.
In the wild, mice might seek shelter in burrows, hollow logs, or underground tunnels.
However, man-made structures often provide more consistent warmth and a greater abundance of food, making them highly attractive to these creatures.
Mice can squeeze through very small gaps—often as narrow as 6mm—so even the tiniest opening in walls, foundations, or windows can serve as an entry point.
2. Foraging for Food
During the winter, food supplies in the wild become scarce.
Grasses, seeds, and small insects that mice typically rely on are harder to find.
To compensate, mice become more resourceful, often entering homes in search of readily available food sources.
Pantries, cupboards, pet food, and bins are common targets for mice.
Mice have an excellent sense of smell and will gnaw through packaging to reach stored food.
They are also prolific hoarders, often stashing food near their nesting sites to last through the winter months.
This behaviour can lead to contamination of food supplies, as mice carry diseases and parasites that pose health risks to humans.
3. Nesting Behaviour
Once inside, mice quickly begin building nests.
They prefer quiet, hidden areas, such as wall cavities, attics, basements, and behind appliances.
Mice use shredded paper, fabric, and insulation to create cosy nests where they can raise their young and shelter from the cold.
Mice breed year-round, and despite the challenges of winter, they continue to reproduce during the colder months.
A single female can give birth to up to 10 litters a year, each containing 5-12 young.
This rapid breeding means that a small mouse problem can quickly become a much larger infestation if not dealt with promptly.
4. Winter Survival Tactics
Mice do not hibernate during the winter, unlike some other small mammals. Instead, they rely on their ability to find shelter and food to survive.
Mice are also nocturnal, which helps them avoid predators and humans while they forage and explore during the night.
Their small size and agility allow them to move swiftly through tight spaces and remain relatively hidden from view.
Mice have a high metabolism, meaning they need to eat frequently to maintain their body temperature and energy levels during the winter.
This is one reason they become so active inside homes, where food sources are more reliable than in the wild.
5. Preventative Measures
For homeowners, preventing mice from entering in the first place is key to avoiding an infestation.
Sealing cracks and gaps in walls, foundations, and around windows and doors is a crucial first step.
Keeping food securely stored in airtight containers and regularly clearing up crumbs and spills can also reduce the attraction for mice.
Setting up traps or calling a professional pest control service at the first sign of mouse activity can prevent a small issue from becoming a bigger problem.
It’s also important to check for signs of nesting materials and droppings, particularly in areas like attics and basements, which are common nesting spots.
In winter, mice face the challenge of finding shelter, warmth, and food to survive the colder months.
Often, this leads them to seek refuge in human homes and buildings, where they can breed and thrive.
While mice do not hibernate, they rely on their adaptability to find food and shelter, making them a persistent winter pest.
Taking preventative measures early can help to protect your home and minimise the risk of an infestation.
