Hi, my name is Luis Gonzalez, and welcome to another episode of the What’s Bugging You? podcast brought to you by Midway Pest Management. In today’s episode, we’re going to dive into why mice move in when temperatures drop. Let’s get started!

As the leaves start to fall and Kansas City nights get colder, you’re not the only one heading indoors for warmth. Mice and rats are too and they’re looking for a cozy place to ride out the winter. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees, rodents start searching for shelter, food, and nesting material. Unfortunately, our homes offer all three in abundance.

It doesn’t take much for a mouse to move in. They can squeeze through an opening the size of a dime, which means small cracks around your foundation, gaps under garage doors, or openings around pipes are basically “welcome signs.” Once they find their way inside, they waste no time building nests behind walls, in insulation, or under appliances.

Rodents aren’t just a nuisance; they can cause serious problems. They chew on electrical wires, damage insulation, and stored items, leading to costly repairs and even fire risks. They also contaminate surfaces with droppings and urine, which can carry bacteria and allergens that affect your family’s health. You might first notice subtle signs like scratching sounds at night, small droppings in the pantry, or a faint musky odor. Catching the problem early makes a huge difference, but rodents breed quickly. A single pair can turn into dozens within a few short months.

So what can you do?

Start by inspecting the outside of your home. Look for small gaps around the foundation, garage door corners, or where utility lines enter. Seal those openings using steel wool and caulk. Inside, store food in airtight containers and keep clutter down, especially in storage areas and basements.

Even with great prevention habits, mice are persistent. Once they’re inside, DIY methods often only catch a few and leave the rest behind. That’s where a professional inspection and exclusion service come in.

At Midway Pest Management, our rodent control program focuses on solving the problem and not just treating the symptoms. We combine detailed inspections, professional sealing work, and long-term monitoring to keep your home rodent-free through the entire winter.

If you don’t already have a pest management company protecting your home, we’d be happy to help. Don’t wait until you hear scratching in the walls call Midway Pest Management today at 913-820-9737 and keep your home rodent-free all season long.