Rodents often come indoors during winter to stay warm, but there’s a simple way to stop them from coming back
Talya Honebeek Content Editor – Spare Time and Katherine McPhillips
14:52, 09 Jan 2026
Rats and mice are likelier to enter homes at winter time (stock image)(Image: Getty)
Winter is when most of us hunker down indoors for warmth and comfort, but we’re not alone in seeking shelter from the cold – rats and mice are equally keen to escape the chill.
There’s nothing quite as unsettling as catching a glimpse of movement from the corner of your eye, only to discover you’ve got unwanted rodent guests, and without swift action, what starts as a minor nuisance can spiral into a full-scale infestation within weeks.
Many homeowners are understandably wary of using poison due to safety concerns, and whilst various natural deterrents exist, their effectiveness isn’t always guaranteed, reports The Mirror.
The British Pest Control Association recommends a more proactive approach: thoroughly inspecting your property for potential entry points and sealing them properly.
They explained: “Mice only need a gap of 6mm to gain entry (roughly the diameter of the eraser end of a pencil). You will need to search for any potential entry points and seal these up with wire wool embedded in quick-setting cement.”
Mice and rats are adept at getting through cracks in a wall(Image: Getty)
Sealing a gap with steel wool(Image: Getty)
Rodents can only infiltrate your home if there are cracks or gaps available, as they’re remarkably adept at squeezing through surprisingly small openings once they’ve identified them.
Whilst some entry points are fairly obvious – such as damaged areas around doors and windows – there are other spots that often go overlooked.
Among the most frequent access routes for rodents are unsealed sections in skirting boards and gaps where floors meet walls. It’s also worthwhile checking around fireplaces, the corners of cupboards and between pipes beneath sinks or washing machines.
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Whilst sealing up your property might appear straightforward, simply taking a moment each day to inspect common nesting spots is absolutely the most effective method to prevent rats and mice from entering your home during winter.
All that’s required is examining any cracks near floor level, then stuffing some wire wool into any damaged sections.
The expert said: “You should focus on low-level gaps first as these are the most likely areas for mice to enter. You can then consider any higher up vents or gaps.”
A mouse emerges from a gap (stock image)(Image: Getty)
Wire wool, sometimes called steel wool, is employed to deter rodents as it’s constructed from robust material that rats and mice are unable to gnaw through.
It’s also extremely malleable, meaning it’ll fit into minuscule holes that rodents might potentially squeeze through, acting as a physical blockade they cannot penetrate.
After positioning steel wool throughout your property, it’s beneficial to apply some form of sealant such as cement, caulk or expanding foam to make it as watertight as possible and keep mice and rats at bay permanently.
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