Do Mice Hibernate in the Winter?

Do Mice Hibernate in the Winter?

Have you ever wondered if mice hibernate in the winter?

You’re not alone! Many times people ask us whether mice hibernate in the winter and if they will just go away on their own.

This makes perfect sense since a lot of animal species hibernate through the winter.

The tricky part with mice is that they are nesting in their house. Once they’re comfortable they’re unlikely to go away.

Before I get into more detail here’s just a quick overview on mice.

Overview of Mice

As long as people have inhabited the earth, they’ve shared it with mice and other rodents. According to history, humans have encountered mouse infestations for at least 15,000 years.

These are the fuzzy little rodents that adore burrowing into your warm home for shelter and stolen grub. However, you may also encounter their close relative, the wood or field mouse. They have a lot of the same features but are different species. Think of them as the classic tale of the city mouse and the country mouse.

Are Mice Social Animals?

All mice species, including house and field mice, are social animals. They thrive in the company of their kind and often nest together. Did you know that a group of mice is called a mischief? With all their destructive and thieving ways, it’s easy to understand the name.

As their name implies, field mice usually live-in forests and meadows away from human contact. However, house mice have become used to humans over thousands of years. They prefer to be squatters in homes and buildings that people occupy.

Field mice and house mice are both nocturnal species. They use the darkness as their natural camouflage to seek food to bring back to their nests to share with others. Unlike rats, mice don’t venture much farther than about 10 feet from their nest for food foraging.

Do Mice Like Being Around Humans?

House mice are more tolerant of humans than their field mice cousins. If you have a mouse infestation, the chances are that it’s house mice. Field mice detest humans and stay as far away as they can. During winter cold and shortages of food, field mice are often forced to take shelter in a warm human abode.

Unlike many other social animals, mouse communities do not have a chain of command. Males of both species will often fight other males for dominance and mating privileges. They can often be territorial during breeding season.

These mice may be small, but they are quite intelligent. Studies have shown that mice have a good memory and can even be taught to do simple tasks. That may be good if you have a domesticated pet mouse, but it’s not a positive point when you’re dealing with a mouse infestation.

Do Mice Hibernate?

Mice do not hibernate during the winter. They utilize different types of nests to be comfortable in the winter and not freeze to death.

House mice as their name implies look to shelter in man made structures. Inside they still look for smaller nests so they can stay warm.

Deer mice are known to utilize abandoned squirrel and bird nests and like house mice they nest in buildings as well.

The other reason that mice don’t hibernate is that they have found away to conserve energy. They use their nesting sites to store food. If you find a mouse nest you might find that they have decent sized caches of grain.

As explained earlier, mice are social animals. As social animals they do huddle together in colder temperatures to stay warm. Mice nests usually have more than one inhabitant and that way they keep each other warm.

Is It Safe to Have Mice Around Our Food Supplies?

Besides the expensive damage these nocturnal nuisances can do to a home, they can also cost thousands of dollars in stolen and ruined food. While you and your family sleep, mice can invade your food supply and nibble on anything they see. The food they touch is immediately contaminated with the germs on their body, saliva, urine, and countless drops of fecal matter.

All of these mouse biproducts can be dangerous to you, your family, and your pets. Both house and field mice can carry rabies and can bite and infect humans and other animals. Plus, they carry many potentially deadly diseases, such as salmonella, LCMV, and hantavirus. As their waste decomposes to dust quickly, it becomes airborne and can cause severe respiratory conditions.

Getting Rid of Mice

Your first line of defense against invading mice is to block possible entryways. Seal cracks and holes in your foundation and walls and repair or replace damaged screens. Keep trash cans, and dumpsters sealed and avoid leaving food scraps outside that can attract vermin. Make sure that hay, straw, or animal feed outside is stored correctly.

Seal up any suspected mouse holes in your walls, under sinks, or cabinet kickboards. Keep all pantry items in sealed containers like glass or heavy plastic. Clean up any spills immediately. Take out your trash often, and never leave dirty dishes sitting overnight. If you hear scratching and other activity in your walls, it’s a sure sign that mice have moved into your home.

You can always go the route of mouse traps, glue traps, or poison, but these can raise other safety issues for your family and pets. While cats are natural mouse predators, well-fed house cats often ignore mouse problems.

Final Thoughts

A mouse infestation poses severe risks to your family and property. Professional extermination can get the unwanted pests out, and ensure your home is not at risk for the deadly viruses these rodents bring.