7 Things You’re Leaving Out That Attract Mice in the Heat

When the temperatures crank up, mice don’t disappear—they just get sneakier. Hot weather sends them looking for cooler places with reliable food and water, and your yard might be offering both without you realizing it. The worst part? You don’t even have to leave much out to catch their attention.

A few small mistakes are like rolling out the welcome mat. Knowing what attracts them is the first step to keeping them out of your space for good.

Bird Seed

A feeder might be for the birds, but mice see it as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Any seed that spills on the ground—or even seed left in the feeder overnight—can draw them in fast.

If you’re set on feeding the birds, use a tray to catch spills and clean up regularly. Bringing feeders in at night helps too since that’s when mice are most active.

Pet Food

Whether it’s a bowl for the dog or the cat, leaving pet food outside—even for a few hours—can attract mice in a hurry. Dry food especially holds up in the heat, meaning it doesn’t go bad before they find it.

Feed pets outdoors only while they’re eating, then bring the bowl in. Even spilled kibble around patios or garages can pull in rodents looking for an easy meal.

Grills and Outdoor Cooktops

If you haven’t checked under the grill lid or inside the burner tray in a while, you might be shocked. Grease, crumbs, and food scraps from last weekend’s burgers are a magnet for mice.

Always scrape grates, clean out drip trays, and wipe down surfaces after using the grill. It doesn’t take much for rodents to sniff it out—and once they do, they’ll keep coming back.

Trash and Recycling

Overflowing bins, open lids, or even bags waiting by the garage door are one of the fastest ways to pull mice into your yard. The smell alone is enough to bring them running.

Make sure all outdoor bins have tight-fitting lids. Rinse out recyclables and avoid leaving trash bags sitting outside longer than necessary, especially in the summer heat.

Stored Bird Feed, Grass Seed, or Fertilizer

Mice love dry storage. A bag of bird seed, grass seed, or even organic fertilizers left in the garage, shed, or patio corner is a gold mine to them.

Store anything edible (yes, even fertilizer if it’s organic-based) in sealed metal or thick plastic containers. Cardboard boxes and bags are no match for rodent teeth.

Water Sources

Even in the heat, mice need water. Leaky hoses, dripping spigots, bird baths, or standing water in buckets can pull them in just as fast as food does.

Fix leaky faucets, dump standing water, and keep buckets, watering cans, or kiddie pools flipped when not in use. Cut off their water supply, and they’re more likely to move on.

Outdoor Cushions and Stored Fabric

It might sound odd, but outdoor cushions, tarps, or stacked pool towels can attract mice—not for food, but for nesting. Fabric, stuffing, and anything soft becomes prime real estate when they’re hunting for shelter.

If you aren’t using cushions, store them in sealed bins or bring them inside. The same goes for blankets, towels, or even covers tossed over furniture or grills.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.