Why Mice and Rats Try to Get Inside Homes During Winter in Huntsville, AL

🐭 Why Mice and Rats Try to Get Inside Homes During Winter in Huntsville, AL

When cold weather hits North Alabama, rodents go into survival mode. Mice and rats are not built to handle freezing temperatures, so they start searching for warm, dry places with easy access to food. Unfortunately, that often means your home.

Every winter, homeowners in Huntsville and Madison County start hearing scratching in the attic, seeing droppings in the garage, or noticing chewed food packaging in the pantry. These are common signs that rodents have found a way inside.

❄️ Why Winter Makes Rodent Problems Worse

During warmer months, mice and rats can live outdoors. But once temperatures drop, food becomes scarce and shelter becomes critical. Homes provide everything rodents need:

✔ Warmth
✔ Insulation for nesting
✔ Pet food and pantry food
✔ Water sources
✔ Safe hiding spots in attics and crawlspaces

Even a hole the size of a dime can allow a mouse to enter your home.

🏠 Common Ways Rodents Get Inside Homes

Most homeowners are surprised how easily rodents can squeeze inside. Some of the most common entry points include:

• Gaps around garage doors
• Openings around plumbing or utility lines
• Damaged crawlspace vents
• Gaps in rooflines or soffits
• Unsealed attic vents

Once inside, rodents reproduce quickly and can cause serious problems.

⚠️ Why Rodents in Your Home Are a Big Deal

Mice and rats are more than just a nuisance. They can cause real damage and health risks.

🐀 Chewing electrical wires (fire hazard)
🐀 Contaminating insulation with droppings and urine
🐀 Spreading bacteria and allergens
🐀 Damaging stored belongings

The longer rodents stay in a home, the worse the problem becomes.

🛠 What You Can Do Right Now

Homeowners can reduce the risk by:

✔ Sealing small gaps and cracks around the home
✔ Storing pet food in sealed containers
✔ Keeping garages and crawlspaces tidy
✔ Trimming back shrubs and tree limbs touching the house

But once rodents are already inside, professional treatment is usually needed to fully solve the issue.

📍 Local Rodent Control in Huntsville & Madison County

At Cothren’s Pest Control, we help homeowners throughout North Alabama stop mice and rats from getting inside.

We provide:

✔ Full inspection to find entry points
✔ Rodent trapping and control
✔ Exterior bait stations to prevent re-entry
✔ Recommendations to help keep rodents out for good

Best of all — we do NOT require long-term contracts.
We’ll come evaluate your situation and recommend a treatment plan that fits your needs.

📞 Think You Might Have Mice or Rats?

If you’re hearing scratching, seeing droppings, or just want peace of mind this winter, give Cothren’s Pest Control a call. We offer free evaluations for homeowners in Huntsville and surrounding areas.

Don’t let rodents turn your home into their winter hideout.