How to Tell If You Have Rodents in Your Walls During Winter

 

The easiest way to know if rodents, like mice or rats, are living in your walls during winter is to listen for noises such as scratching or scurrying, look for small droppings, and notice any unusual smells or marks. If you spot these signs, it’s likely you have rodents inside your walls.

 

Common Signs That Rodents Are in Your Walls

 

• Noises: At night or in quiet rooms, you might hear light scratching, scampering, or gnawing sounds coming from inside the walls, ceilings, or even under floors. Rodents are most active at night (they're nocturnal). Their tiny feet and sharp teeth make noises as they move, chew on wood or wires, or build nests.
• Droppings: Rodent droppings are small, dark, and pellet-shaped. If rodents are getting into your house, you may find these droppings near baseboards, in the attic, behind appliances, under sinks, or inside cabinets.
• Urine Odor: Rats and mice have a strong, musky smell. If you notice odd, lingering odors that don’t go away after cleaning, this may indicate rodents are nesting nearby—in the walls, attic, or crawlspaces.
• Grease Marks: As rodents move along walls, they leave oily marks or smudges from their fur. These can appear as faint, dark tracks along baseboards or entry points where they squeeze through small gaps.
• Gnawing and Damage: Rodents chew on wood, drywall, plastic, and electrical wiring. You may see teeth marks or shredded materials around entry holes, food packages, or behind appliances. Damaged insulation or chewed electrical wires are also warning signs—rodents chew constantly to trim their teeth.
• Pet Behavior: If you have pets, like dogs or cats, and they suddenly seem fixated or agitated by a particular wall or area, they may have noticed the sounds or smells coming from rodents inside.

 

Why Rodents Move Into Walls During Winter

 

Rodents look for warmth, food, and shelter as outdoor temperatures drop. Homes provide a perfect safe spot, especially walls and attics, which stay warmer and offer protection from predators.

 

Where to Check for Signs of Rodents

 

• Listen in bedrooms, attics, basements, and kitchens at night. Quiet environments make rodent noises easier to hear.
• Check baseboards, corners of rooms, under sinks, and inside cabinets for droppings or greasy marks.
• Inspect crawlspaces, garages, and the back of large appliances for gnawing damage, shredded insulation, or nesting material like paper, fabric, or plastic.

 

What to Do If You Suspect Rodents in Your Walls

 

• Do Not Ignore Signs: The longer rodents stay, the more damage they can cause by chewing wires (which can even start fires), spreading germs, and creating more nesting sites.
• Seal Entry Points: Look for tiny holes, cracks, or gaps around pipes, vents, and foundations—rodents can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Use steel wool and caulk or metal mesh to block these spots.
• Remove Attractants: Keep food in sealed containers, clean up crumbs, remove clutter, and take out trash regularly. Fix any leaking pipes to eliminate water sources.
• Set Traps: Snap traps or enclosed bait stations in areas where droppings or grease marks are found can help reduce the population, but avoid putting them where kids or pets could access them.
• Call a Professional: If signs continue, noises persist, or you find many droppings or heavy damage, a pest control expert can safely find and remove the rodents and advise you on how to prevent future problems.

 

Summary

 

Rodents in walls during winter are common. Listen for late-night noises, look for droppings, greasy marks, or gnawing, and watch for strange smells or pet behavior. Take quick action to seal holes and clean up food sources. If in doubt or if the problem is big, call a professional for help.