Louisville, KY — With temperatures expected to drop to single digits this weekend, we are preparing for a surge in rodent calls. Mice can sense heat leaking from your home and will aggressively chew through weather stripping to enter.

When the mercury drops below freezing, the survival instinct of the House Mouse (Mus musculus) kicks into overdrive. They are not just looking for food; they are looking for warmth to survive the night. Your home, leaking warm air through tiny cracks and crevices, acts like a beacon.

The “Heat Leak” Phenomenon

Mice have incredibly sensitive whiskers and noses. They can detect warm air currents escaping from your home’s foundation, doors, and utility penetrations.

Common heat leaks that attract mice include:

• Garage Door Corners: The rubber sweep at the bottom often shrinks in the cold, leaving a gap at the corners.
• Dryer Vents: Warm air pumping out of the house is a direct invitation.
• Crawl Space Vents: If the automatic vents don’t close properly, mice will squeeze through the screens.
• A/C Lines: The hole where your refrigerant lines enter the house often has degraded putty.

Critical Check: The Garage Door

This is the #1 entry point we see during cold snaps. Go into your garage during the day and close the door. Turn off the lights. Look at the bottom corners.

If you can see light, a mouse can get in.

Mice can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime (1/4 inch). If the rubber seal is worn, chewed, or frozen to the ground and torn, you need to replace it immediately. In the meantime, you can stuff the gap with steel wool as a temporary barrier.

What to Do This Weekend

1. Inspect the Perimeter: Walk around your house. Look for gaps around pipes and vents.
2. Seal Gaps: Use steel wool or copper mesh to plug holes. Do not use spray foam alone, as mice can chew through it.
3. Clear Clutter: Move firewood and debris piles away from the foundation. These provide shelter for mice while they search for an entry point.
4. Set Traps: If you suspect they are already inside, set snap traps along the walls in the garage, basement, and attic.

If you hear scratching in the walls this weekend, don’t wait. Once a pair of mice establishes a nest, they can produce a litter of babies in just 21 days. Contact Critter Removal of Louisville for a professional inspection.