When Mice Sneak Into Your Holiday Decorations: A Maine Homeowner’s Guide
Ever unwrap a gift and think, “Well… that’s not exactly what I asked for”? Maybe it was a sweater three sizes too big or a novelty gadget destined for the junk drawer. Most of the time, we smile, say thank you, and move on.
But one surprise you never have to pretend to be happy about is discovering mice in your home over the holidays. When the snow starts flying, as it has this week across much of Maine, mice start looking for warm shelter if they haven’t already. And unfortunately, your storage boxes and holiday decorations are an open invitation.
Advanced Pest Solutions, a locally owned and operated Maine pest control company with over 30 years of hands-on experience, explains why boxes of Christmas decorations attract mice in and how to keep them out for good.
Why Boxes of Holiday Decorations Attract Mice
Mice can move into your house any time, but fall and early winter are peak times in the Pine Tree state. As temperatures drop, mice scramble to find warmth fast. Many homeowners only realize they’ve got company when they pull out bins of lights and ornaments.
Why those boxes?
Because to a mouse, your storage bin looks like a cozy studio apartment:
Warm, dark, and quiet, perfect for hiding from predators and weather
Insulation and fabrics, such as tree skirts, stockings, ribbon, and garland, make excellent nesting materials
Cardboard that is easy to chew through and even easier to hide inside
If your decorations have been tucked away in the attic, basement, garage, or outbuilding all year, mice may have moved in long before you noticed.
How Mice Actually Get Inside Maine Homes
All these small rodents need is an opening the size of a dime. That includes:
Cracks in the foundation
Small openings around pipes, oil lines, or utility entrances
Loose weatherstripping or worn door sweeps
Gaps under garage doors
Once inside, mice look for the quietest space (i.e., little to no human foot traffic), usually the same storage areas where your holiday items live.
If you store decorations in a shed or garage, you might unknowingly bring mice inside when you carry boxes in. Mice tucked into a box can end up in your living room faster than you think.
Signs Mice Have Infested Your Christmas Decorations
Before you start decorating your tree or hanging wreaths, check for the following:
Chewed cardboard or shredded wrapping paper
Gnaw marks on strings of lights and cords
Droppings or urine stains, especially at the bottom of boxes
Mice nests that include fabric, tinsel, and other stored items
Noises coming from boxes
How to Keep Mice Out of Decorations
Winter in Maine brings its own set of challenges—slippery driveways, frozen pipes, and endless shoveling. Mice shouldn’t be another.
Here’s how to keep them away from your decorations:
Outside Your Home
Seal gaps and cracks with caulk, steel wool, or hardware cloth
Install fresh weatherstripping and tight-fitting door sweeps
Keep firewood stored away from the house, not stacked against it
Clear clutter around foundations where mice might shelter
Secure trash bins with tight lids
Clean up bird seed spills and consider pausing feeders near the house
Inside Your Home
Store human and pet food in hard plastic or glass containers with tight-fitting covers
Clean crumbs and wipe spills promptly
Keep floors vacuumed, especially in kitchens and pantries
Storage Area Tips
Swap cardboard boxes for heavy-duty plastic totes
Use lids that snap or lock securely
Elevate bins off the floor when possible
Check storage areas regularly for droppings or chew marks
Eliminate clutter that attracts mice and other pests
What to Do If You Find Mice
If you open a box and find droppings, nesting material, or actual mice, we recommend the following tips:
Taking the box outside immediately.
Wearing gloves if you decide to sort through items.
Tossing anything heavily contaminated or chewed.
Disinfecting items that can be saved.
After that, it’s time to deal with the real problem: the infestation inside your home.
Before you rush off to the store to buy all the mouse traps on the shelves, consider this: DIY traps might catch one or two mice, but they don’t address the source of the infestation. They’re a temporary solution. The best way to eliminate a mouse problem is to contact a pest control company.
Let Advanced Pest Solutions Give You a Pest-Free Holiday Season
For fast, effective pest control and long-term prevention, rely on Advanced Pest Solutions.
Our highly trained and fully licensed team provides:
Thorough inspections (we send one of our owners out every time)
Proven rodent and insect elimination
Ongoing home pest control plans
Solutions tailored to Maine homes
Mice may be trying to make your home theirs this holiday season, but you don’t have to put up with unwanted guests.
Give yourself peace of mind this winter with professional pest control from Advanced Pest Solutions. Contact us today to get started.