Quick Answer:

As temperatures drop across Des Moines and Central Iowa, mice begin looking for warm, sheltered places with reliable food sources. Homes provide all three. Even a small opening around a foundation, garage door, or utility line can give mice access. Once inside, they can nest in walls, attics, and basements, often before homeowners realize there's a problem.

Why Do Mice Come Inside During the Fall?

Fall in Iowa brings cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and the annual harvest. Unfortunately, it can also bring unwanted visitors into your home.

As corn and soybean fields are harvested and outdoor temperatures begin dropping, some mice lose their usual shelter and look for protected places to spend the colder months.

Homes throughout Des Moines, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, and surrounding communities can provide the warmth, food, and nesting areas they're looking for.

While some mice move indoors seasonally, house mice can live and reproduce inside homes throughout the year.

How Are Mice Getting Into Your House?

You might be surprised by how little space a mouse needs to squeeze inside.

A mouse can fit through an opening approximately the size of a pencil, just ¼ inch wide!

Common entry points include:

• Small cracks in foundations
• Gaps underneath garage doors
• Openings around plumbing and utility lines
• Damaged weather stripping around doors
• Gaps around siding and exterior trim
• Openings near attic vents and rooflines

Once inside, mice often travel through wall cavities, behind appliances, and into attics or basements where they can remain hidden.

That's why finding and addressing entry points is an important part of effective mouse control.

5 Signs You May Have Mice in Your Home

Mice are often active at night, so you may notice evidence of their presence before actually seeing one.

1. Scratching or Scurrying Sounds

Hearing scratching in your walls or ceiling, especially at night, may indicate mouse activity.

2. Mouse Droppings

Small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings in kitchen cabinets, pantries, basements, or garages are common warning signs.

3. Chewed Food Packaging

Mice can chew through cardboard, paper, and some plastic packaging to reach food.

4. Nesting Materials

Shredded paper, insulation, fabric, or other soft materials may indicate mice are building nests.

5. Unusual Odors

A persistent musky smell in enclosed spaces can sometimes indicate rodent activity.

If you're noticing any of these signs, it's best to investigate before the problem becomes more difficult to control.

Are Mice in Your Home Dangerous?

Mice are more than an inconvenience. They can create problems for your home and your family's health.

Rodents may contaminate food and surfaces with urine and droppings. They can also damage insulation, stored belongings, and electrical wiring through their constant gnawing.

Important: If you discover mouse droppings, avoid sweeping or vacuuming them while dry. Follow CDC recommendations for safely disinfecting and removing rodent waste.

How Can Des Moines Homeowners Keep Mice Out?

A few preventive steps can help make your home less inviting to rodents this fall.

1. Inspect your home's exterior. Look for cracks, gaps, and openings around foundations, doors, and utility lines.
2. Seal entry points. Use appropriate rodent-resistant materials such as metal mesh, steel wool with sealant, or metal flashing.
3. Store food securely. Keep pantry items, pet food, and birdseed in tightly sealed containers.
4. Keep garages and storage areas organized. Reduce clutter that provides convenient hiding and nesting spaces.
5. Remove outdoor attractants. Keep garbage containers closed and eliminate food sources near the house.

These steps can reduce the risk of mice getting inside. However, if rodents are already living in your home, prevention alone may not solve the problem.

When Should You Call a Professional for Mouse Control?

If you're repeatedly catching mice, finding new droppings, or hearing activity inside your walls, it may be time to contact a professional pest control company.

Effective rodent control involves more than removing the mice you can see. It's also important to identify how they're entering and what conditions are attracting them.



A professional inspection can help determine the extent of the activity and recommend an appropriate treatment and prevention plan.