How to Seal Your Home Against Mice in Winter
When temperatures drop across Southeast Idaho, mice search for warmth—and without sealed gaps or openings, our homes become easy targets. How to stop mice in winter starts with spotting common problem areas and blocking entry before they move in, before these unwelcome guests move in.
Key Takeaways
- Mice can slip through spaces as small as 1/4 inch, which makes uncovered vents, door gaps, and foundation cracks easy entryways.
- Rely on safe materials like steel wool, silicone caulk, and fine mesh to block holes without risking harm to children or pets.
- Examine your home’s outside edges before and after each snowfall. Pay close attention to crawl spaces, garages, and where utility lines come through.
- Watch for warning signs like droppings or scratching noises. These clues signal a bigger issue—combine sealing with expert help to stop it.
- Homes in rural settings or with older builds in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, and nearby towns face heavier rodent activity during winter.
Why Winter Draws Mice Indoors — And Why Southeast Idaho Homes Are at Higher Risk
As temperatures drop and snow sets in across Southeast Idaho, mice start searching for a warm place to nest. Food becomes scarce outdoors, and our homes offer exactly what they’re after: heat, protection from the elements, and steady food sources. It’s nothing personal—they’re just trying to survive the winter.
In towns like Idaho Falls, Rexburg, and Rigby, many homes sit near open farmland or wooded areas. That mix of rural surroundings and cold weather creates ideal conditions for mice to slip inside. Add in aging foundations, crawl spaces, and wild temperature swings, and it’s no surprise that mouse activity increases during winter.
Mice are tiny—but their invasion can have a big impact. Keep in mind, they can squeeze into holes as small as 1/4 inch—just about the size of a pencil eraser. That’s all it takes.
But don’t worry. This winter surge is common, and there are simple, effective steps we can take to seal homes against winter mice and help everyone in our neighborhood enjoy a quieter season inside.
Where Mice Get In: Common Entry Points to Check
Pinpointing the mice entry points in house walls or crawl spaces is the first line of defense. Mice usually come in low to the ground, but they’re great climbers too. Here are a few of the most common spots they use to sneak indoors:
Top Rodent Entry Points Around the Home
- Gaps around doors and warped frames
- Cracks in foundations and basement walls
- Uncovered dryer vents and wall vents
- Chimneys without screens or caps
- Gaps under garage doors or worn-out seals
- Places where utility pipes (gas, water, AC lines) enter a wall
In many Blackfoot and Ammon homes, we see crawl space vents and garage thresholds as major problem zones. If you’re unsure how to inspect or protect those areas, professional rodent exclusion services can step in with targeted solutions.
PRO TIP: If you see droppings, chewed fabric or paper, or hear scratching in the walls, odds are you already have a mouse issue. In that case, sealing alone isn’t enough. Learn more about how to tell if you have a mouse infestation in your home.
How to Inspect and Seal Your Home Step-by-Step
Let’s walk through a few practical steps on how to seal house from mice and get your home winter-ready. This approach works great for all homeowners, no matter your experience level.
Simple Steps to Start Mouse Proofing Your Home
- Walk the full perimeter with a flashlight, especially around the foundation and siding.
- Look for any gap wider than 1/4 inch.
- For small holes, press steel wool into the gap, then apply a mouse seal like silicone or expanding caulk to close it off completely.
- Install or replace door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Check weather stripping and seal any deteriorated areas.
- Place fine mesh screen behind vent covers and around air gaps.
We recommend doing a second walk-through after any heavy snowfall or windstorm—drifted snow or shifting soil can expose new holes over time. Mouse proofing home areas like garages, cold storage, and sheds is especially important. To learn more about outside structures, read about what attracts mice into garages and sheds.
Safe Materials and Tools to Use — Especially Around Kids and Pets
Keeping our homes safe means thinking about the people and pets who live there, too. Many families across Southeast Idaho ask us how to tackle mice without risking harm to little ones—or leaving chemical smells around.
For family-friendly winter rodent control, here’s what we recommend:
Best Tools and Supplies for Safe Pest Prevention
- Steel wool and copper mesh to plug small holes
- Silicone caulk or expanding foam for sealing
- Fine wire mesh (1/4-inch or finer) for vents
- Natural repellents like peppermint oil and citronella-based sprays
CALL-OUT BOX: “Look for the label: ‘Pet Safe’ or ‘Child Friendly’ before using any deterrent inside your home.”
Avoid sprays or traps with strong chemicals. Southeast Idaho homes often deal with enclosed heat systems—and lingering fumes aren’t just unpleasant, they can be unsafe for curious pets or young kids.
When DIY Isn’t Enough: How to Know It’s Time to Call a Pro
Doing it yourself works great in many cases, especially with clear tips and basic tools. Still, some situations are best handled by professionals who know how to seal home from mice effectively and long-term, or involves hard-to-reach places.
We recommend reaching out for expert help if:
- You’ve sealed entry points, but mice still return
- You hear activity inside walls or attic spaces
- Droppings appear even after clean-up and sealing
- You’re unsure how to protect pet areas or kids’ rooms safely
Our team at DeWebb Pest Control works across Southeast Idaho—from Idaho Falls to Rigby—and understands what keeps mice out for good. If you’re dealing with frequent issues, Our rodent control services include long-term exclusion solutions—the best way to seal home against rodents Chico CA homeowners can rely on.
TECHNICIAN TIP: “Most mouse problems start in garages, crawl spaces, or under porches. That’s where we focus sealing—because if they can’t get in, they can’t cause trouble.”
Still hearing noises or seeing signs? Learn more about why mice sometimes return after pest control and what to do next.
Protecting Your Peace of Mind with Trusted Local Support
Sealing early in the season is one of the best moves you can make. It saves stress, protects your home, and helps your family stay warm and comfortable all winter long.
At DeWebb, we live here too—we know what winters bring and how to stay ahead of mice. Our friendly, local team delivers honest, reliable advice backed by years of service in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, and Rigby.
If you’re looking to prepare your home for winter—or want peace of mind knowing it’s protected—consider setting up a seasonal inspection. You can explore everything included in our general home pest protection plan, or go straight to our residential pest control services for customized solutions.
We’re always here to answer questions and help you schedule a winter pest check that fits your needs.
Taking steps now to seal home prevent mice winter will make all the difference this season—and next. Let’s keep those mice outside where they belong.
