Where Do Mice Hide?

Mice are experts at hiding. They can fit into tiny areas and can often go completely undetected. Knowing where mice are hiding is crucial to successfully removing them from your property. In this guide, we’ll teach you everything you’ll need to know about finding out where mice are hiding.

Do Mice Hide During the Day?

Mice are nocturnal creatures. This means that they sleep during the day and are active at night. This behavior evolved because it allows them to avoid predators during the day, when they would have a much easier time spotting and hunting mice. Mice sleep in nests they create in out-of-the-way, dark, cozy places. So the answer is yes, mice do hide during the day and you usually won’t see them during this time. 

Common Places Where Mice Hide in a Home

Unfortunately, your home, like most, is likely filled with a number of spots that mice will consider ideal hiding places. Some of the most common include: 

• Kitchen & Bathrooms: Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers offer warmth and secluded spots under and behind them where mice will often hide. They will also hide inside cabinets, especially under appliances, such as the sink where plumbing provides access.   The dishwasher, the refrigerator with water dispenser and icemaker, and the gas stove all have plumbing access too.
• Storage Areas & Closets: Mice often nest in boxes, clutter, and infrequently used storage areas in garages, attics, basements, and closets. Areas like this offer ideal materials for nesting and the lack of foot traffic makes mice feel safe.
• Wall Voids & Ceilings: Mice often use the insulated spaces within walls, behind drywall, and in ceilings to build nests and travel undetected. 
• Attics & Crawl Spaces: These secluded, dark areas are excellent for the mice to nest in and raise their young. 
• Behind Furniture: Beds, couches, and other furniture provide cover where mice are likely to hide. 
• Near Utilities: To move in the walls, mice often follow pipes and wires, using them as a sort of highway system. They will often hide near these pipes and wires for easy access. 
• Warm, Secluded Spots: Mice are drawn to hiding spots near heating vents or fireplaces due to their warmth. When looking for mice, look for warmth.

If you believe you have mice, all of the above are worth checking out. It is likely you’ll find where the mice have been hiding. 

Signs of Mice Hiding in Your Home

Just because you haven’t seen an actual mouse, doesn’t mean there aren’t mice hiding in your home. Signs that mice are hiding in your home include:

• Droppings: Mice droppings are small, dark pellets about the size of a grain of rice. They are usually found near food sources, in cupboards, or along baseboards. 
• Rub Marks: When moving around a home, mice will often follow the same route over and over again. You will often see dark, oily smudges on walls or floors where mice have traveled repeatedly. 
• Gnaw Marks: Mice use their teeth for many things. Tiny teeth marks on food packaging, wood, plastic, and other surfaces are a good sign that there are mice in your home. 
• Nests: Mice build nests. These often look like piles of shredded paper, fabric, or insulation found in dark, secluded areas. 
• Tracks: Footprints or tail marks visible on dusty surfaces, such as in unused attics or basements will show you that mice have been moving around.

If you see one or more of the above, it means that you likely have mice hiding somewhere in your home. 

How Do You Get a Mouse Out of Hiding?

When it comes to getting mice out of hiding there are two options to choose from. These are luring them out or driving them out.

Mice have an extremely keen sense of smell. This strength can be turned into their weakness when it comes to getting them out of hiding. Placing baited traps near their hiding place, will often cause them to come out to find the source of the smell.  Food baits that work well include peanut butter, chocolate, and cheese.  Nesting baits are often better, including cotton balls, paper tissue, and dental floss.

For best results, you can use many traps and baits at the same time. 

When to Contact Mice Control

It is always better to contact mice control sooner rather than later. The longer an infestation of mice goes on, the more damage they will do and the higher the health risk to people becomes. Generally, it is best to contact professionals as soon as you begin noticing signs of mice hiding in your home. However, if you do choose to try a DIY approach, and it is not effective after a few days, then it is time to throw in the towel and call in the pros. Doing so will ensure your property and family are safe.