How to Keep Mice and Rats Out of Your Home This Winter?
Rodents are definitely not the kind of houseguests you want. They bring unwanted noise and smells, contaminate your food, and spread germs. Plus, they’re notorious for gnawing through walls, insulation, and even electrical wiring, which can lead to serious problems, like fires. Definitely not the kind of company you want this winter!
We live here too, so we get it. When Melbourne winters hit, rats and mice start looking for somewhere cosy. That’s why our team at Pestline have pulled together some practical tips to help you keep them out of your home this season.
Why Mice and Rats Come Indoors in Winter?
Like us, rats and mice are warm-blooded and prefer to stay in temperatures that help them regulate their body heat, somewhere between 18 to 26°C. So when Melbourne nights drop into the single digits, rodents start searching for somewhere better. And for them, your home is the perfect winter escape: warm, dry, quiet, and full of food.
The cold weather also makes it harder for them to find food outside, especially things like fruit, scraps, or fresh vegetation. That’s when they start squeezing through tiny gaps, crawling under doors, or nesting in walls and ceilings. Winter pest control is important because once they’re in, they’re not just annoying – mice chew through wires, damage timber and insulation, and can spread bacteria through your pantry and food.
Signs of Infestation
Rats and mice might be small, but they can create big problems around your home. Because their teeth never stop growing, they’re always chewing. That means they can gnaw through timber, walls, insulation, and even plastic – often to build nests in cosy, hidden spots. In doing so, they can cause serious damage, create entry points for other pests, and make repairs costly and time-consuming.
Beyond the damage, rats leave droppings and urine in places like vents, pantries, and behind appliances. This can cause lingering odours and spread germs through the air, which isn’t great for your health. If you don’t prevent mice infestation in winter, their mess can end up in your food storage areas, on your utensils, or worse – in your food.
They’re also burrowers. If they’re nesting beneath your home, they can disturb the foundation or damage underground pipes and cables. And let’s not forget one of the biggest risks: rats and mice are known to chew through electrical wiring, so you want to be active in winter rodent prevention because this can lead to fire hazards.
Top Prevention Tips
Seal Entry Points
Rats and mice are sneaky creatures that can fit through surprisingly small gaps, sometimes as narrow as 6mm. Their sharp claws and teeth help them squeeze through tough materials like timber or plastic, which means your home might not be as secure as you think. That’s why it’s important to regularly inspect your property for any cracks or openings, especially as winter approaches. Even small gaps around windows, doors, or vents can provide a perfect entry point for rodents.
To keep them out, focus on reinforcing the areas most vulnerable to intrusion. Mesh or screens can be installed over vents, chimneys, and water tank openings, which are common places where rodents find their way in. Adding weather-stripping around doors and windows helps close off those gaps, while a metal kickplate at the bottom of doors can prevent rats in the kitchen. These simple fixes can go a long way in keeping your home pest-free.
Use Natural Rat Deterrents
Rats have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, so strong, sharp odours can sometimes be enough to drive them away. Certain smells, like peppermint oil, cloves, black pepper, and cayenne pepper, tend to irritate their noses and airways, making your home less inviting.
To keep them at bay, you could try spreading these scents around the outside of your house, especially near potential entry points. It’s a natural and non-toxic way to deter them, without the need for harsh chemicals. Just be sure to reapply the scents periodically, as they can fade over time.
Maintain Your Backyard
Extra plant growth around your house provides hiding spots for rodents and enables them to reach your property. Because these animals are talented climbers, they can easily use overhanging branches or dense cover near your home to gain entry. Maintaining a clear boundary around your property requires trimming back tree branches, shrubs, and climbing vines to prevent rodents from using your garden as an entry point into your home.
Regular lawn mowing is an important strategy to remove potential hiding places from your property. Eliminate fallen fruits and vegetables that can attract pests and clear away piles of leaves or branches which provide shelter for unwanted animals. By taking these steps, you’ll be well on your way to learning how to get rid of rats and mice in the home and garden, keeping your space safer and more pest-free.
Manage Waste Properly
Because decomposing food and waste emit smells that attract mice and rats, you need to promptly dispose of waste and store it correctly. You should frequently clean your trash bins and maintain a waste-free environment both inside and outside your home. Your bins should always have secure lids to block sneaky pests from entering.
Do not include animal products in your compost pile because they attract rodents, and maintain a sealed compost bin for food scraps. Your compost heap should be kept in a sealed container to prevent pests from moving in.
Remove Clutter Inside and Outside
Rats can easily find hidden spots to breed and nest in areas of your property that aren’t used often. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly check these less-frequented areas and keep them tidy. Mice and rats love to hide in places like green waste, old furniture, cars, appliances, and other discarded items, so be sure to get rid of these things as often as possible.
If you’re winter rodent-proofing store wood piles, firewood, or bricks, make sure they’re elevated about 30cm off the ground and away from walls. This will help keep these areas less inviting for pests and more manageable for you.
Use Rat Baits, Traps and Poison with Caution
There are plenty of rat traps, baits, and poisons available at your local hardware store that can help with rat control. However, it’s important to use them carefully, as they can be toxic if not handled properly. If you’re unsure about how to use them safely, it’s a good idea to reach out to a pest control professional for advice.
For keeping rats out of your home, cage traps are a great option, as they’re safe to use around kids and pets. When it comes to baits and poisons, these should only be used outside, in areas that are out of reach from both children and pets. Be sure to place them securely and avoid tampering with the bait stations to keep everything safe.
And with the rise of “super rats,” which are becoming more resistant to traditional methods, it’s even more important to stay on top of prevention to avoid a rat infestation this winter.
When to Call a Professional?
Sometimes, no matter how many steps you take, rats and mice still manage to make themselves at home, especially during Melbourne’s colder months when they’re on the hunt for warmth, shelter, and an easy food source.
DIY methods can help early on, but when rodents keep returning or the problem starts to grow, it’s time to bring in the professionals. At Pestline, we’re locals – we know the area, we know the conditions, and we know how to prevent rat infestations in winter.
How To Keep Mice Out In Winter?
Using safe, tamper-proof bait stations and traps, we’ll treat the problem strategically, then return as needed for monitoring and replenishment. It’s part of a smarter approach to pest control – one that fits into your yearly Australian pest management calendar and gives you peace of mind no matter the season.
How To Keep Rats Out In Winter?
Rats and mice are some of the most common household pests in Melbourne. Our pest control technicians are fully trained to uncover the source of the issue by inspecting your home for access points, nesting areas, and food attractants. We focus on long-term mice and rat removal in Melbourne, not just short-term fixes.
Key Takeaways & Pro Tips
In Melbourne, winter isn’t just about chilly mornings and cosy nights – it’s also the time when rats and mice are most likely to sneak indoors. As temperatures drop, these pests go searching for warmth, food and shelter, and unfortunately, your home can offer all three.
At Pestline, we understand the seasonal behaviours of rodents and how to stop them in their tracks. By sealing entry points, keeping storage areas tidy, and inspecting your property regularly, you can reduce the risk of an infestation.
But if you’re still hearing scratching in the walls or spotting droppings around the house, it’s time to act. Pestline offers trusted Melbourne pest control services, from the inner suburbs we serve to the outer fringe.
Get in touch today to keep rats and mice out this winter and keep your home comfortable, clean and rodent-free.
Looking for more tips on how to deal with other pests? Check out our other guides:
Written by Matthew Behman
Matthew Behman is a certified pest control expert in Melbourne with over a decade of experience managing pests in homes, gardens, and commercial properties. Solving common types of problems including spider nests, cockroaches, bed bugs, termites etc. Matthew is committed to delivering affordable and comprehensive pest management services tailored to meet the unique needs of residential and commercial clients.
