Why Are There Mice In My Garage in Kansas City, KS?

Mice may not seem like they would create a massive issue for residents in Kansas City, KS, but dealing with a mouse infestation can be very frustrating and time-consuming. Mice carry bacteria and diseases with them, which means they can become a significant threat to your health and property.

As winter approaches, the chances for rodents to slip into your garage are even higher, which is why it is essential to take precautions before there is an infestation.

This guide will walk you through how we at Schendel identify mice, how you can recognize the ways mice are getting into your home, how to get rid of mice in your garage, and how to keep them from coming back.

How can I tell if there are mice in my Kansas City house?

Mice are much smaller and much more agile than rats. Most mice are between two and four inches in size and have gray fur and a cream-colored belly.

A mouse’s face includes small, rounded, and slightly furry ears and a pointed snout. Mice also have long, scaly tails that are usually about the length of their body size.

The color of their fur varies based on their location. Usually, the color is somewhere between a light, dusty gray color and a dark gray hue.

There are many ways to recognize if mice are lingering in your home or garage, including:

• Droppings that are about ⅛ – ¼ inch in length
• Rough or smooth gnaw marks
• Oily rub marks where mice enter and exit
• Gnawed-open bags of grass seed or bird seed
• Lots of activity at night (mice are nocturnal)

What attracts mice to my Kansas City home?

As the seasons change and temperatures drop, mice are among the many animals looking for warmth. But mice can find their way to your garage for a variety of reasons.

Though mice are rarely smaller than two inches, they can almost always fit through holes that are only a fraction of their body size. If you find mice in your garage, there are likely small holes around the exterior, or even in other parts of the house, acting as an entryway for the pesky rodents. Gaps under garage doors are also common entry points for opportunistic rodents. Mice will also commonly find holes on the roofs of structures, which could grant them access to your attic, too.

Mice also famously love to hide in cluttered areas, so try to keep your garage as clean as possible. Refrain from storing large boxes or excessive grain-based food in your garage to cut down on attracting rodents.

Taking precautions and protecting your home as the winter months approach is the best thing you can do to protect your garage from a mice infestation.

How can I stop mice from getting into my garage?

If mice have already found their way to your garage, rest assured that the issue is solvable.

If you’ve noticed mice or their droppings, rub marks, or other signifiers of their presence in your garage, you should start by cleaning up your space. Get rid of any unnecessary boxes or food, trim back the vegetation surrounding your garage, and disinfect any areas you think the mice could have been.

Don’t rely on special scents or home remedies to do the job for you. You’ll need to find the areas where mice are entering your home to remedy the issue altogether.

To maintain your defense against the mice once they are out, you should block every small hole you can find in your home. Areas surrounding plumbing pipes, unfinished basements, and crawl space perimeters are just some of the popular regions mice will use to enter your home.

You can purchase steel wool at any grocery store and use this as the filler for the holes. Mice cannot chew through or navigate around the steel wool, making it a perfect solution for this issue.

How can Schendel Pest Services get rid of the mice in my home?

If the mice continue to return, it would be best for your safety and sanity to seek out assistance from the experts at Schendel Pest Services. Call us or fill out the contact form on this page to get started!