During the warm summer months in Maryland, most of us are used to dealing with bees, mosquitoes, and other bothersome pests. However, one pest many of us don’t expect to encounter this time of year is mice.
Contrary to popular belief, mice can infest a home during summer. This is bad news for homeowners who may have let their guard down and aren’t expecting to run into these critters until the weather cools down later in the year.
Keep reading to learn about the seasonal patterns of mouse activity and how you can protect your Maryland home from mice this summer.
Seasonal Patterns of Mouse Activity
While mice tend to be more active during the cold winter months, it is possible to have a mouse infestation any time of year.
During the warm summer months, mice tend to breed in large numbers and will often seek shelter indoors to escape the heat. Food and water sources also tend to be more readily available this time of year, so you may notice an uptick in rodent activity without even being aware.
When we transition from fall to winter, mice will make their way back indoors to escape the frigid temperatures and look for food.
It is important to note that mice do not hibernate, as many people believe they do. Mice stay active throughout the year to forage for food and seek shelter.
Why Mice Enter Homes in Warmer Months
One of the primary reasons mice enter homes during the summer is to escape extreme outdoor temperatures.
Just as people seek relief from the heat, mice often retreat to cooler, shaded environments, such as basements, attics, crawl spaces, and wall voids, where the temperature is more stable and comfortable.
Another important factor is reproduction. Summer is the peak breeding season for mice, and as their populations grow, they seek out safe, secluded places to nest and raise their young. Homes offer ideal conditions, with abundant hiding spots and protection from predators.
In addition to shelter, homes also provide reliable access to food and water. Crumbs, pet food, improperly stored pantry items, leaky pipes, and even condensation can attract mice that are looking for easy nourishment and hydration.
It’s also worth noting that construction, landscaping, or habitat disruption outside can displace mice from their usual nesting areas, driving them toward nearby homes in search of stability and resources.
Common Entry Points for Mice
Due to their small size, mice can squeeze into homes through surprisingly small openings. Some of the most common entry points include:
- Gaps under doors
- Cracks or holes in the foundation
- Dryer vents
- Attics and rooflines
- Gutters and roof gaps
- Fireplaces and chimney openings
- Crawl spaces and basement vents
To reduce the risk of an infestation, carefully inspect your home for any of these potential entry points and seal them using weather stripping, caulk, mesh, or other rodent-proof materials.
Signs of a Summer Mouse Infestation
Just because it’s warm outside doesn’t mean mice are taking a break. In fact, the signs of a mouse infestation during the summer can be just as noticeable as in colder months. Mice are active year-round, and during the summer, they may move deeper into your home to escape heat, raise their young, or search for food and water.
Recognizing the warning signs early can help you take quick action before a small problem becomes a full-blown infestation.
- Mouse droppings: Small, dark, rice-shaped droppings are a common sign of mouse activity, especially in kitchens, pantries, drawers, and along baseboards.
- Gnaw marks on household items: Mice constantly chew to keep their teeth from growing too long. Look for bite marks on wires, food packaging, wood furniture, and plastic materials.
- A strong, musky odor: A persistent, unpleasant smell—especially in enclosed spaces like closets, cabinets, or under appliances—may indicate urine-saturated nesting areas.
- Nesting materials: Mice create nests using soft, shredded materials like paper, fabric, insulation, and even dryer lint. Finding these tucked away in corners or hidden spots is a red flag.
- Smudge marks on floors and baseboards: As mice travel the same paths repeatedly, the oils from their fur can leave greasy streaks or smudges along walls and runways.
- Sightings of live or dead mice: Seeing a mouse, especially during the daytime, can signal a larger infestation, as they are typically nocturnal and avoid light.
Risks and Damage Caused by Mice
While mice may look harmless, these tiny pests can actually cause a lot of destruction. Mice are known to carry diseases like Hantavirus and Salmonella and can even contaminate water and food that they come in contact with, which can put people dealing with a mouse infestation at serious risk.
These pests can also cause significant damage to property by gnawing on electrical wiring, wood, drywall, and other materials in a home. Because of this, it is imperative that you take a mouse infestation seriously and contact a pest control professional at the first sign of trouble.
How to Prevent Mice from Entering Your Home
Keeping mice out of your home doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require consistency and attention to detail. A few smart preventative steps can go a long way toward keeping your home mouse-free, even during the busy summer months:
- Seal all possible entry points: Inspect your home’s exterior for small gaps, cracks, or holes—especially around the foundation, doors, windows, and utility lines—and seal them with caulk, steel wool, or mesh.
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping: Close gaps under doors and around windows to prevent mice from squeezing through unnoticed entry points.
- Properly seal and store all food and drinks: Use airtight containers for pantry items, clean up crumbs and spills quickly, and avoid leaving food (including pet food) out overnight.
- Keep your grass neatly cut: Mice use tall grass and overgrown vegetation as cover to move closer to your home, so maintain your lawn and trim back shrubs near the foundation.
- Store pet food securely: Keep pet food in sealed containers and avoid leaving bowls of food out, especially overnight or in garages.
- Regularly remove trash from your home: Take out the garbage often, use sealed bins, and keep outdoor trash containers away from entry points to discourage rodent activity.
Staying proactive with these small tasks can significantly reduce the chances of mice entering your home this summer.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
When it comes to dealing with a pest infestation of any kind, it is always wise to contact a professional exterminator at the first sign of a problem. Mouse infestations can quickly become out of control, which is why you’ll want to have a trusted pest control professional inspect your home and start getting rid of the mice as soon as possible.
FAQs
Are mice more active in the summer or winter?
Mice tend to be more active during the winter months, as they often seek food and shelter indoors. However, it is still possible to see mice in your home during the warmer months as well.
Why would mice come into my house during warm weather?
If you see mice in your house during warm weather, they may be looking for shelter from the heat outside. Mice will often seek out cool environments like basements and attics during the warmer months and access to food and water sources.
Do mice breed in the summer?
Mice breed year-round, with their breeding cycles being more active during the summer months when the weather is warm and there is ample food and shelter to go around.