Summary: Rats and mice are masters of hiding, nesting in overlooked corners and quiet rooms throughout your home. This guide explains the most common pest hiding spots—from kitchens to attics—and how to find and prevent infestations with help from Pointe Pest Control in Missouri and Illinois.
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Rats and mice may be small, but they make a big impact once they get inside. These pests don’t just squeak in the night — they contaminate food, damage property, and spread bacteria everywhere they go. The problem is that they’re really good at staying out of sight.
So, where exactly are these furry intruders hiding? Let’s take a look at the most common pests hiding in rooms around your home and how to uncover their favorite nesting areas.
Kitchens and Pantries
If there’s one room that attracts rodents first, it’s the kitchen. Mice and rats follow their noses to reliable food and water sources. They’ll gnaw through packaging, sneak behind cabinets, and even nest in warm spots near appliances.
Common hiding spots in kitchens include:
• Behind refrigerators, stoves, or dishwashers
• Inside the gaps under cabinets or pantries
• Behind walls near plumbing or floor vents
Rodents can chew through nearly any material except metal. If you see gnaw marks, droppings, or shredded paper, it’s a sign they’ve moved in. To keep your kitchen protected, store dry foods in sealed containers and clean up crumbs daily.
For professional help sealing entry points and removing nests, learn more about our rodent control services in your area.
Basements and Crawl Spaces
Dark, humid, and full of clutter — basements and crawl spaces are paradise for pests. These areas give rodents a quiet place to breed and chew through insulation or stored boxes.
Since they’re less frequently used, infestations can grow unnoticed. In winter, these spaces also stay warm enough for rats to survive cold Missouri temperatures. Regular inspections are the best way to prevent infestations from spreading upward into the rest of the house.
If you’ve noticed scratching or strange odors from below, Pointe Pest Control can help inspect and treat pests in St. Louis homes.
Attics and Walls
Rats and mice are excellent climbers. They can scale brick walls, siding, and pipes to access upper floors. Once inside, they make nests in insulation or wall voids. Attics offer the perfect mix of warmth, darkness, and quiet — and rodents take full advantage.
Signs of attic activity include shredded insulation, droppings, or scratching noises at night. Rodents often use electrical wiring as a chew toy, creating a potential fire hazard. Trimming overhanging tree branches and sealing roof vents helps stop new invaders before they move in.
Bedrooms, Closets, and Living Areas
You might not expect it, but rodents also sneak into bedrooms and living spaces. They’re not picky — if it’s warm and hidden, it’s fair game. Closets, behind dressers, and under couches are all common hiding spots.
You might also notice insects in home corners, since leftover crumbs or clutter can attract bugs that rodents prey on. Keeping your living areas clean and minimizing clutter can discourage both rodents and insect activity.
Garages and Utility Rooms
Garages and laundry rooms offer plenty of nesting material and easy access points. Rodents often build nests inside stored boxes, behind water heaters, or near washing machines. If you store pet food, bird seed, or grass seed in these rooms, you’re practically setting out a buffet.
Simple fixes like sealing gaps around garage doors and keeping stored items off the ground make these rooms less inviting.
How to Find and Stop Hidden Rodents
You don’t need night vision to find where pests hide indoors — just a sharp eye for these signs:
• Small droppings along baseboards or behind furniture
• Noises like scratching, squeaking, or scurrying at night
• Chewed food packaging or gnawed wiring
• Nests made of shredded paper or insulation
If you find any of these clues, don’t wait for the problem to spread. Pointe Pest Control’s experts specialize in identifying common pest hiding spots and safely removing them with eco-friendly treatments.
Reclaim Your Home from Hidden Pests
Rats and mice may know how to hide, but Pointe Pest Control knows how to find them. Our licensed technicians use a combination of inspection, exclusion, and prevention techniques to stop rodents from returning.
From kitchens to attics, we’ll make sure every corner of your home is secure. Rats and mice don’t stand a chance against our long-term solutions. For long-term protection and peace of mind, contact Pointe Pest Control today for your free quote.
Citations
How to find where mice are getting into your house. (2024, May 15). Gunter Pest & Lawn. Retrieved October 21, 2025, from https://www.gunterpest.com/news/how-to-find-mouse-entry-points/
