In 2022, it was originally predicted that La Niña would last through the end of the year, setting the stage for another unseasonably warm winter. With mild winters come unwanted visitors— namely, mice. 

And they’re looking to take up residence inside your house. 

But are mice a problem in the winter? And do mice hibernate?

Unfortunately, no; mice don’t hibernate. As such, mild winters and mice pose an issue for homeowners. 

Mice are already well adept at surviving the cold winter months since they’re such great foragers. But mild winter months make it even easier for them to set up shop within your home, especially when their food supply runs low. 



How do mild winter months affect the mouse population, and what can you do? Let’s take a look. 

Increased Mouse Population

During the cold winter months, the local mouse population naturally decreases. Mice are small mammals that spend the vast majority of their lives shivering and losing body heat. Winter months make it exceptionally difficult for them to retain body heat, and, with their food sources growing scarce, many die before spring. 

But will mice go away when it gets warm?

Due to La Niña ensuring an unseasonably warm winter, you can expect a thriving mouse population to stick around longer than usual.  Keep in mind that mice multiply quickly, so the spread of rodents in and around your home requires a call to your local pest control company. 

Remember that mice enter your home via tiny entry points you probably never noticed. This means sealed food isn’t enough of a preventative measure to keep mice at bay. Mice enjoy many of the same things that people do— food, warmth, and shelter, and your home provides a safe, dry space, away from the elements and external predators. 

If you live in an older home or a home with inadequate insulation, you’ll find that mice return to your home every winter, along with other rodents. And warm weather influences how quickly mice reproduce, creating a perfect storm inside your house. On mild winter days, mice are out and about, looking for new places to hide— including your home.

Do Mice Stay in Your House All Year?

Your home provides mice with everything they need to live comfortably. They’ll find soft nesting materials and create homes for themselves without you realizing it. But are mice a problem in the winter or are they an issue all year long?

Even though winters typically attract mice while they look for warmth and food, they’ll nest in your home all year long if given the opportunity to. While they’ll venture outside during the spring, if your home provides everything they need to survive, there’s no reason for them to vacate the premises. And mild winters are making it easier for them to seek shelter within your home. 

This is why you need to contact a professional pest control service. You need someone with the experience to prevent rodent infestations in the first place. 

So, are mice less active in winter? Mice are active all year long, making your house the perfect place for them to infest. And even if they leave your home during the day, they’ll be back at night, along with the rest of their growing family, to cozy up inside your walls. 

If you spot one or two mice in the winter, rest assured they can quickly turn into 15 or more mice come February, and they’re anything but harmless. The mouse population within your home can quickly double or triple, so be sure to contact professionals before a wildlife problem begins. 

Keep Mice Out in the Winter

Unfortunately, when it comes to keeping mice and other rodents out of your home, there are no quick fixes. Unless you plan on sealing openings around your home, trapping mice inside the structure, or setting up a proper baiting program to lower the mouse population, you won’t gain proper control.

Ultrasonic deterrents, capsaicin, spice blends, and essential oils have all been proven in lab testing to be nothing more than a waste of time and money.

You can, however, set live catch traps or old-fashioned snap traps and use cheese or peanut butter to lure the mice out.

If you’re using live catch traps, make sure you remove the mouse and take it to a location far from your home. Keep in mind these traps need to be checked daily. This method can be effective but is very time-consuming and could go on for days or weeks if no other management steps are taken. 

The best way to ensure mice don’t enter your home is with professional pest control services.

Mild Winters and Mice

Now that you know how mild winters and mice can affect your home, take preventative measures to keep them from entering your house in the first place. While there are DIY techniques you can try at home, your first line of defense should be to call in a professional. 

Serene Property Services can help you with all your rodent-related issues. We cover a wide range of wildlife and insect infestations, so contact us today to discuss your pest control needs.