28/06/2026
🐭 Tiny Flatmates ....... Big Problems — Keep Mice Out This Winter
As temperatures drop across New Zealand, mice start looking for warm, dry places to shelter — and unfortunately, our homes can be very appealing.
A few simple preventative steps can help keep unwanted visitors outside where they belong:
✅ Store food in sealed containers
✅ Keep kitchen benches, cupboards, and floors free of crumbs and food scraps
✅ Empty rubbish bins regularly and ensure lids are secure
✅ Seal gaps around pipes, doors, and windows where mice may enter
✅ Keep firewood, cardboard, and clutter away from the home where possible
✅ Clean up mouse droppings promptly, as their scent can encourage other mice to enter and remain in the area
✅ Keep vegetation, long grass, and weeds trimmed back from the house where possible
✅ Avoid storing pet food, bird seed, or animal feed in easily accessible areas
✅ Check sheds, garages, and storage areas regularly, as mice often establish themselves there before entering the home
✅ Keep compost bins and outdoor rubbish areas tidy and secure
Properties located near rivers, streams, drains, ponds, reserves, bush areas, or farmland may naturally experience higher levels of pest activity. These environments can provide ideal shelter and food sources for mice, making it even more important to stay vigilant during the colder months.
If you notice signs of mice such as droppings, scratching noises, gnaw marks, or damaged food packaging, it's important to act quickly. Early intervention can prevent a small issue from becoming a much larger problem.
Approved bait stations can be an effective way to manage mice and, when positioned around the exterior of the property, may help reduce the likelihood of them entering the home. Always ensure bait stations are used safely and placed out of reach of children, pets, and other animals.
Tenants are encouraged to report any maintenance concerns that may allow pests access to the property, such as gaps around pipes, damaged door seals, or other potential entry points.
A little prevention now can save a lot of frustration later and help keep your home pest-free throughout winter.