As late summer and fall arrives in Central Iowa, the cooler weather often sends an uninvited guest to homes and businesses: mice. At Janssen Pest Solutions, we see it every year. Two native species—the deer mouse and the white-footed mouse—begin their seasonal migration indoors, looking for warmth and shelter for the winter. And while the aptly named house mouse doesn’t need a seasonal excuse (it lives inside year-round), all of these rodents pose a serious threat to property, health, and comfort if not handled quickly and effectively. Janssen can help!
Why Mice Come Inside in the Fall
Outdoor mice spend the warmer months foraging and raising their young, but once temperatures drop, they search for indoor nesting spots. These rodents can enter through openings as small as ¼ inch (just large enough to fit their heads through), and once inside, they build nests out of insulation, paper, foam, or anything else they can shred. They’ll also stash food—corn kernels, birdseed, and pet food are common targets—to survive the winter months inside your walls, attic, or storage areas.
How to Keep Mice Out of Your Iowa Home or Business
Exclusion is the most effective way to prevent seasonal rodent issues. At Janssen, we recommend a thorough inspection of your home or business exterior. Here’s where to look and what to do:
Common Entry Points:
- Gaps in siding where it meets the foundation
- Openings around pipes, vents, and utility lines
- Cracks in the foundation or basement walls
- Loose-fitting doors without weather stripping
- Poorly sealed windows and attic vents
- Roofline damage or disrepair
Mice are expert climbers and can travel vertically on rough surfaces like brick, siding, and drain pipes. They can also navigate horizontal wires and tree limbs to access your roof. Once inside, they move easily through wall voids and hidden spaces—often without immediate signs of activity.
Recommended Exclusion Tactics:
- Add or replace weather stripping on doors and windows
- Seal foundation cracks with caulk or expanding foam
- First tightly pack gaps with steel wool, then seal for durability
- Use metal flashing over larger holes to deter chewing
- Store food in sealed, rodent-proof containers (especially grains and seeds)
These basic fixes not only prevent mouse access but also improve energy efficiency during the colder months.
If Mice Are Already Inside
Once mice gain entry, trapping is the most effective method for removal. Janssen Pest Solutions recommends the following:
Snap Traps
Use traps like the Victor® Easy Set, baited with peanut butter or moist oats. Mice prefer to move along walls and behind furniture, so place traps along these travel routes. Setting two traps side-by-side (baited on opposite ends) increases success.
Live Traps
Options like the Victor® Live Catch or Victor® Tin Cat Repeating Trap allow you to catch multiple mice without bait. These traps work well for larger infestations and rely on mice’s natural curiosity.
Important Note: Always repair any access points before releasing live-caught mice outdoors to prevent re-entry.
What Not to Do
While it may be tempting to use poisons or glue traps, we recommend caution:
- Rodent poisons can harm pets and children and often cause mice to die in hidden areas—resulting in odor problems.
- Glue traps, though effective, are inhumane and can leave you with a messy and unpleasant cleanup.
- Ultrasonic repellent devices have not been proven effective in independent studies and should not be relied upon for rodent control.
Call Janssen Pest Solutions Before the Mice Move In
Whether you’re seeing signs of activity or just want to be proactive, Janssen Pest Solutions provides expert rodent prevention and control services throughout Des Moines, Ames, Waukee, Ankeny, and surrounding Central Iowa communities. We offer thorough inspections, entry point sealing, trapping, and monthly maintenance plans tailored to your property.
Contact us today for a free estimate and let our family-owned, Iowa-based team help you protect what matters most—your home or business.