You probably look forward to pulling out your holiday decorations each year. Twinkling lights, wreaths, and ornaments that bring back warm memories. But you may not be the only one excited to open those boxes. Tiny, unwanted guests may already be hiding inside.

So, why do mice love holiday storage boxes and decorations? The answer is simple: your storage areas offer warmth, nesting materials, and safety. As temperatures drop, mice in holiday storage become more common because these spaces are quiet, dark, and rarely disturbed.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Scarborough, we often see how quickly these animals can turn a storage corner into a cozy nesting site. Understanding their winter mouse storage habits can help you spot the signs early and prevent mice in decorations before your holiday season begins.

Let’s look at the top reasons your holiday boxes attract them and what to watch for before they cause real damage.

1. Warm, Quiet Spaces Away From People

You know that cold winter nights make you want to stay inside, and the same goes for these small animals. When outdoor temperatures drop, they search for warm, safe places to hide. Your basement, attic, or garage offers exactly that.

Storage rooms are especially attractive because they’re quiet and dark. Once they squeeze through a small opening, they find boxes stacked neatly in corners, perfect for hiding and nesting.

If you’ve noticed faint rustling or scratching sounds in your storage area, that’s often the first clue that something is living inside your boxes.

2. Cardboard Boxes Make Perfect Nests

Cardboard is one of the biggest reasons for mice in holiday storage. It’s soft, chewable, and easy to tear apart into nesting material. When you stack boxes, you’re basically giving them both walls and bedding.

Inside those boxes, they’ll often make nests out of:

• Torn cardboard or tissue paper
• Old wrapping paper or fabric scraps
• Artificial snow or packing materials

You might not notice until you open the box next season and find shredded decorations or tiny holes in your wrapping paper.

3. Plenty of Hidden Food Sources

Holiday decorations sometimes come with snacks or forgotten treats — popcorn garlands, candy canes, or old gift baskets. Even crumbs left behind can attract them from far away.

They can smell food through packaging and are small enough to slip inside sealed containers if they find a weak point.

When we inspect storage areas, we often find:

• Chewed-up wrappers and packaging
• Droppings near boxes that once held food items
• Damage around the pantry or gift storage areas

That’s why it’s important to store anything edible separately and keep storage zones clean year-round.

4. Easy Entry Through Small Gaps

You might think your storage room or attic is sealed tight, but these small animals can fit through holes as tiny as a dime. Once they find a path in, they’ll keep returning.

Common entry points include:

• Gaps around vents, pipes, and utility lines
• Cracks in the basement walls or floorboards
• Loose weatherstripping near doors or windows
• Openings around garage doors

You might not see these gaps during the day, but cool drafts or light shining through are clues. Our team installs one-way doors that let animals exit safely while blocking them from coming back; a humane and lasting fix.

5. Artificial Trees and Garlands Offer Shelter

When you unpack your tree or garlands, you might notice clumps of chewed material or a faint smell. That’s because winter mouse storage habits include nesting inside large decorations.

Artificial trees, wreaths, and garlands provide layers of cover, much like natural vegetation outside. Once they settle in, they may chew on lights or wires for nesting space.

If you notice missing bulbs, chewed cords, or tangled wires, that’s a good sign something has been nesting there. Even small electrical damage can create safety hazards, especially during the holidays.

6. Soft Fabrics Are Perfect for Nests

Many people pack fabric-based decorations, stockings, tablecloths, or plush ornaments, along with their holiday décor. Unfortunately, these make perfect nesting materials.

Soft fabrics help them stay warm, especially in cold storage areas. Over time, you may notice frayed edges, small holes, or missing pieces.

When we inspect these storage zones, we often find fabrics mixed with shredded insulation or paper — a clear sign a nest was built nearby.

7. Forgotten Boxes in Hard-to-Reach Corners

You probably have boxes you haven’t touched in years, tucked behind newer ones. To mice, those are prime real estate. The darker and less visited the space, the better.

They can live inside forgotten boxes undisturbed, especially if you only open storage areas once a year. When that happens, you might find:

• Shredded fabric or insulation inside old boxes
• Tiny nests made from gift wrap or ribbons
• Odours or droppings hidden under piles of decorations

Checking these tucked-away areas once in a while can save you from discovering surprises later on.

8. Attics Stay Warm All Winter Long

Attics are a favourite nesting area because they stay warm during the winter. Heat rising from your home keeps these spaces comfortable even in freezing weather.

When decorations are stored there, the warmth and insulation create a perfect environment for nesting. Boxes filled with paper or fabric provide extra shelter, making it even more inviting.

You might hear scratching in the ceiling or notice chew marks near the insulation. These are strong signs that winter mouse storage habits have turned your attic into a seasonal home.

9. Garages Offer Food and Shelter

Garages are another popular hiding spot because they often connect food sources and warmth. You might store pet food, birdseed, or garbage bins nearby — and that’s enough to attract them.

Once inside, they can quickly move from your garage to your storage shelves. That’s how boxes of ornaments or wrapping paper end up chewed or contaminated.

Common warning signs include:

• Gnawed corners on bins or bags
• Tiny droppings near walls or tires
• Shredded debris along baseboards

Even if your garage door is closed, small cracks underneath can act like an open invitation.

10. Scent Trails Bring Them Back Every Year

Once mice find a safe place, they rarely forget it. Their scent trails help them locate the same warm spot each winter. If your decorations have been stored in the same area for years, there’s a good chance they’ll come back.

Even after they leave, lingering odors or droppings can attract new ones. That’s why professional cleaning and sealing are essential to prevent repeat visits. At Skedaddle, our process not only removes the animals humanely but also addresses what brought them there in the first place.

11. Clutter Makes the Perfect Cover

You may think your boxes look tidy, but stacked containers, shopping bags, and wrapping bins create plenty of places to hide. Cluttered corners also make it hard to spot damage.

A few examples of problem areas include:

• Shelves stacked tightly against the walls
• Bags filled with wrapping supplies
• Boxes piled floor to ceiling

Keeping spaces open and organized helps you notice signs of activity faster — before a small issue becomes a bigger infestation.

12. Decorations Stored Near Appliances or Heat Sources

Warmth from appliances like water heaters, furnaces, or laundry machines can attract nesting activity. Mice naturally seek out heat during cold months, and stored boxes nearby make perfect hiding spots.

When we inspect homes, we often find:

• Chewed insulation around pipes or vents
• Boxes pushed against warm appliances
• Small holes along baseboards behind machines

Storing decorations away from heat sources helps protect both your belongings and your electrical systems.

How Skedaddle Helps You Stay Protected

You might not know a problem exists until you start unpacking decorations and find the damage. But the good news is, you don’t need to handle it alone.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Scarborough, we take a humane and thorough approach to removal and prevention. We identify entry points, safely remove animals using one-way doors, and secure your home or storage areas so they can’t return.

We also inspect surrounding areas to prevent future nesting. Our goal is to keep your holidays stress-free and your storage boxes safe for next year.

Keep Your Holiday Decorations Safe This Winter

When the weather turns cold, warm and quiet spaces become prime spots for mice in holiday storage. By knowing why they’re drawn to these areas, you can spot the early signs and take action before your decorations or boxes are damaged.At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Scarborough, we specialize in humane, long-term solutions that protect homes from winter mouse storage habits. Contact us to book your property assessment now.