Why Mice and Rats Move Indoors in Winter

As the clocks go back and the nights draw in, many homes and businesses around Reading and Berkshire start to hear the first scratches in the loft. Late autumn and winter are when mice and rats look hardest for somewhere warm, dry and close to food, and our properties tick every box. Here's why it happens, what to look out for, and the simple steps that help keep rodents outside where they belong.

Why rodents move indoors when it gets colder

Mice and rats don't hibernate. As temperatures drop, food in gardens, fields and hedgerows becomes harder to find, and cold, wet weather makes outdoor burrows and nests far less comfortable. A warm loft, a cavity wall, the space behind kitchen units or a stockroom full of packaging offers everything they need: shelter, nesting material and a steady supply of crumbs, pet food or stored goods.

Once inside, a small problem can grow quickly. Mice in particular breed fast, so a couple of visitors in October can become a noticeable infestation by the new year if nothing is done.

Signs of mice or rats to look out for

Rodents are mostly active at night, so you're more likely to spot what they leave behind than the animals themselves. Keep an eye out for:

• Droppings: small, dark pellets along skirting boards, in cupboards, under sinks or in the loft. Mouse droppings are roughly the size of a grain of rice; rat droppings are noticeably larger.

• Gnaw marks: chewed food packaging, wood, plastic pipes or cables. Rodents gnaw constantly, and damaged wiring can become a fire risk.

• Scratching and scurrying: noises in the loft, ceilings, walls or under floorboards, especially in the evening and early morning.

• Smells: a strong, stale, ammonia-like odour in enclosed spaces such as lofts, cupboards and storerooms.

• Nests and tracks: shredded paper, loft insulation or fabric, greasy smear marks along walls and pipes, and small footprints in dust.

• Pets acting oddly: cats and dogs staring at, or pawing at, the same spot on a wall or behind an appliance.

Practical prevention tips for homes and businesses

Proofing, which means stopping rodents getting in to begin with, is the most effective long-term protection. A few checks now can save a lot of hassle later:

• Seal gaps and entry points: mice can squeeze through surprisingly small holes. Check around pipes, cables, vents, air bricks, garage doors and where services enter the building, and block gaps with suitable materials such as wire mesh, steel wool or mortar rather than soft fillers that can be chewed through.

• Check doors and windows: fit brush strips or bristle seals to the bottom of external doors, and repair damaged frames.

• Store food securely: keep dry food, cereals, pet food and bird seed in sealed, hard containers, and clear up spills and crumbs promptly.

• Manage bins: keep lids firmly closed, avoid overfilling and keep bin stores clean. For businesses, make sure waste is collected regularly and never left out in open bags.

• Tidy the garden: cut back overgrown vegetation near walls, move log piles and clutter away from the house, and don't put cooked food, meat or dairy in the compost. Clear up spilled bird food under feeders.

• Look after the loft: check for daylight, gaps around the eaves and damaged roof tiles or soffits, and avoid storing things in cardboard boxes, which make ideal nesting material.

• Check drains: damaged drains and missing covers can give rats a way in, so get any defects repaired.

For businesses, especially food premises, warehouses and offices, regular checks of delivery areas, stockrooms and staff kitchens help spot problems early and protect your hygiene standards and reputation.

When to call a professional

A single sighting might not seem like much, but where there's one rodent there are often more. It's worth calling a professional if:

• you see droppings or hear activity more than once

• you've spotted a rat inside the property

• there's damage to wiring, pipes or stock

• shop-bought traps or baits haven't solved the problem

• you run a business where a pest sighting could affect customers, staff or compliance

A trained technician can find out how rodents are getting in, deal with the current activity safely, and proof the property so the problem doesn't keep coming back. That matters most around children, pets and food areas, where DIY poisons can do more harm than good.

Rodent control in Reading and Berkshire

Full Guard Pest Control is a family-run business with BPCA qualified technicians, providing rodent control and proofing for homes and businesses across Reading and Berkshire, including Tilehurst, Woodley and Maidenhead, as well as nearby areas on the Hampshire border such as Farnborough. We aim to get to you as quickly as we can, and we focus on long-term proofing, not just a quick fix.

If you've noticed signs of mice or rats this autumn, don't wait for the problem to grow. Call us on 0118 405 0156 or 07393 581675, or email info@fullguardpestcontrol.co.uk to arrange an inspection.