Why Rodents Come Around in Winter

January 28, 2023

Rodents Don't Like the Cold

This is an image of what appears to be a house mouse or a roof rat. Regardless of the type of rodent pictured, we are here to talk about when these creatures come around.  While they hang out all year in the same general areas, there is a time they come to check out our homes, businesses, or even automobiles. 
That time is generally winter, or during any cold snap.  They are in survival mode, just as we are.  If we get cold, we do what we can to warm up.  They do too.  Some of the things they will commonly do are:
  • Nestle next to an Air Conditioning Unit
  • Curl up by Pool Equipment
  • Climb into a Car's Engine Bay
  • Get into a Wall
  • Hang out in a Corner of the Garage
  • Climb up to find an Entrance Along the Roofline

Why do they come inside?

They are in survival mode, just as we are.  If we get cold, we do what we can to warm up.  They do too.  Some of the things they will commonly do are:
  • Nestle next to an Air Conditioning Unit
  • Curl up by Pool Equipment
  • Climb into a Car's Engine Bay
  • Get into a Wall
  • Hang out in a Corner of the Garage
  • Climb up to find an Entrance Along the Roofline

Waht can you do?

The good news is, there are things you can do to limit their activity around your property.  You can seal any hole or gap larger than a quarter, you can put out rodent bait or traps, you can park your vehicle in a protected area, and you can seal the gaps around your garage door.  That sounds like a lot of work, and quite honestly, as much as you do, there will still be gaps.  It is how houses are built... they must be able to release moisture.

What we do

In our experience, the best thing to do is wait until you see signs of rodents before you do anything.  There is no need to give them a reason to come to your house with bait if they are not already there.  If they are, we prefer a slow acting bait that lures the rodent, and will take them out within about a week.  This way, the bait does not transfer to domestic pets and if one of our pets gets ahold of it, there is a simple shot a veterinarian can administer to fix the problem.

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