Humane Fall Wildlife Control: How to Keep Mice Outdoors
As the crisp air of fall sweeps through Kitchener-Waterloo, local wildlife begin preparing for the colder months ahead. With shorter days and dropping temperatures, many animals seek warmth and shelter — and often, that means venturing a little too close to our homes. While the fall season is a beautiful time for nature, it’s also prime time for unwanted indoor guests like mice to sneak inside.
Why Fall Attracts Mice to Your Home
During autumn, mice begin searching for warm, dry spaces with easy access to food. Your home offers everything they need: shelter, crumbs in the kitchen, cozy insulation, and small gaps that make perfect entryways. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, making it surprisingly easy for them to find their way inside attics, basements, and wall cavities.
Once indoors, these tiny invaders multiply quickly. A single female mouse can produce up to 10 litters a year, which means a small problem can become a major infestation before winter even begins. Aside from the mess and property damage they cause, mice can also contaminate food and spread disease — making prevention key during this time of year.
Common Entry Points and How to Seal Them
Fall is the perfect time for a home inspection. Pay attention to areas where wildlife, especially mice, are most likely to gain entry. Look for:
Gaps around doors and windows:
Even a small space under a door sweep or around a frame can invite entry.
Openings around utility lines or vents: Check where pipes, cables, and dryer vents lead outside.
Cracks in the foundation or siding: Cold weather can cause minor shifts that widen existing cracks.
Unsealed attic or roof vents: Mice are excellent climbers and can reach even high entry points.
Use weather-resistant sealants, or steel screening to close up any small gaps. Regular maintenance of these vulnerable areas will go a long way in keeping your home protected.
Reduce Attractants Around Your Home
Mice are opportunistic feeders. To discourage them from taking up residence, make your home less appealing by:
Storing pet food and dry goods in sealed containers.
Cleaning up crumbs and spills promptly.
Keeping garbage bins tightly closed.
Trimming shrubs and tree branches that touch your home — mice often use them as bridges.
Removing bird feeders or fallen fruit near your home’s foundation.
By limiting their access to food and shelter, you significantly reduce the chance of mice moving in for the winter.
Why Humane Wildlife Care Matters When Dealing With Mice
The Kitchener-Waterloo & Stratford-Perth Humane Society reminds residents that wildlife — even pesky mice — play a vital role in our ecosystem. As we take steps to protect our homes, it’s important to do so humanely and responsibly. Avoid harmful traps or poisons, which, if handled incorrectly, can cause suffering and secondary poisoning to pets and local wildlife. Instead, opt for exclusion methods and prevention.
If you do find signs of a wildlife invasion — scratching in the walls, droppings in cupboards, or chewed materials — professional help may be needed to ensure humane removal and long-term prevention.
Partnering with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control
At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, wildlife experts specialize in safe, effective, and humane solutions for keeping wildlife out of homes. Skedaddle has trained technicians to identify and secure every entry point, remove wildlife without harm, and help you fortify your home against future intrusions. This fall, protect both your home and the wildlife that make our region special — trust Skedaddle to keep the balance between people and nature.
