Why Mice Move Into Colorado Springs Homes in the Fall

Most mouse calls in Colorado Springs start between late September and November. As nights get cold, house mice and deer mice move from fields, open space and landscaping toward garages, crawl spaces and wall voids. They are not looking for a dirty house. They are looking for warmth, shelter and a steady food source.

Signs you have mice, not just one mouse

• Droppings the size of a grain of rice along walls, in drawers, under sinks or in the garage
• Chewed food packaging, pet food bags or birdseed
• Shredded paper, insulation or fabric collected into a nest
• Scratching in walls or ceilings at night
• A stale, musky odor in closed cabinets or storage areas

Mice breed quickly. Seeing one mouse in the evening usually means more are active where you cannot see them.

Where mice get into homes here

A mouse can fit through a gap about the width of a pencil. The most common entry points we find on Colorado Springs homes are:

• Worn garage door bottom seals and gaps at the garage door corners
• Openings around pipes, gas lines and utility wires
• Dryer vents and exhaust vents without a working flap
• Weep holes and gaps at the foundation and siding line
• Crawl space vents and doors

What to do in the first week

1. Move pet food, birdseed and pantry goods into sealed, hard containers.
2. Keep the garage door closed and check the bottom seal for daylight.
3. Get stored boxes off the floor and away from walls so activity is easier to see.
4. Do not sweep or vacuum droppings. Wet them with disinfectant first, wear gloves, and air out closed spaces.
5. Write down where you see droppings and when you hear noise. That helps narrow down entry points quickly.

Why deer mice need extra care

Deer mice, with white bellies and white feet, are common in Colorado and can carry hantavirus. Cleaning up after them should be done carefully: ventilate the space, wet droppings and nests with disinfectant before removing them, and never stir up dust in sheds, cabins or crawl spaces.

When to call for help

Call when you see droppings in more than one room, hear activity in walls or ceilings, or find signs in the kitchen. Call or text us of what you are finding and where, and we will send a fast price for mouse control by text or phone. The plan focuses on where activity is concentrated and where mice are getting in, so it addresses the source instead of only the mice you see. Larger rodent problems are covered on our rodent control page.