Why Rodent Problems Spike After the First Frost

Every year calls about mice and rats jump right after the first hard frost. It’s not your imagination frost changes rodent behavior. Here’s what’s going on and how to protect your home before a small problem becomes a winter-long headache.

Frost flips the “move inside” switch

• Food shift: Natural food sources (seeds, insects, fruits) disappear or get covered by frost, so rodents head for kitchens, pantries, and garages.
• Shelter need: Frosted ground and dead vegetation expose nests. Homes offer insulation, nesting material, and heat.
• Scent trails: Rodents maintain established runways. Once a trail leads to warmth and food, the traffic increases quickly—one entry point becomes a rodent “highway.”

Signs you’ll see first

• Grease rub marks along baseboards or near gaps.
• Noises at night: Scratching, light scurrying in ceilings or behind walls.
• Droppings: Rice-sized (mice) or olive-sized (rats), often under sinks, in pantries, near the water heater, or behind appliances.
• Shredded materials: Paper towels, insulation, fabrics used as nesting material.

Why small gaps lead to big problems

• Mice: Fit through openings as small as ¼ inch.
• Rats: Need about ½ inch but can gnaw the rest.
• Teeth never stop growing: Rodents chew constantly to keep incisors short, which is why they damage wiring, drywall, and stored items.

Health and safety concerns

• Contamination: Droppings and urine can transmit pathogens; food items become unsafe.
• Allergens: Rodent debris can aggravate asthma and allergies.
• Fire risk: Chewed wires create hot spots and shorts.

Fast, effective steps to take now

1. Locate entry points first. Focus on garage door seals, door sweeps, dryer vents, utility penetrations, and gaps under siding.
2. Seal with purpose. Use copper mesh or steel wool plus sealant for chew resistance; install door sweeps on all exterior doors.
3. Set snap traps strategically. Place along walls where droppings or rub marks are visible; bait with small amounts of high-fat foods (peanut butter, nut pastes).
4. Clean and contain. Store all food (including pet food and birdseed) in rigid airtight containers; wipe crumbs nightly; take trash out regularly.
5. Declutter. Boxes and stored items create harborage. Elevate storage and leave space along walls for inspection.
6. Fix moisture issues. Leaks under sinks, damp basements, and unvented crawlspaces attract rodents.

When to call the professionals at Graduate Pest Solutions

If you’re catching multiple rodents, seeing fresh droppings daily, or hearing activity in multiple rooms, you likely have established nesting. Our team of professional technicians can:

• Pinpoint all entry points (including roofline access).
• Deploy an integrated plan: targeted trapping, exterior bait stations where appropriate, and exclusion (the long-term fix).
• Schedule follow-ups to ensure the population is fully eliminated.

Don’t let first frost become first infestation

Learn about our GradShield plans