Mice moving indoors in Sask.

The province's mouse population could be up after a year with heavy snow cover and a healthy harvest, and chilly fall weather means they're looking for a warm place to nest. 

If you don't want a mouse in your house, pest control experts say you should check for holes and cracks. Shawn Sherwood from Poulin's Pest Control in Regina said the rodents can sneak into a hole the size of your pinky finger. 

"People will look at a hole that small and go, "Ain't no way a mouse is getting in there,'" Sherwood said. "I've got news for you: he's in there in a heartbeat and you can't underestimate how small a hole they can get into. It really is that easy for them."

Sherwood says homes near fields are vulnerable to mice, and so are homes that may have shifted over time to expose cracks and holes. Sherwood says if you suspect you may have a mouse, you should cover over any holes with metal mesh so the mice can't get through. He says if you're looking to set traps, mice like peanut butter as bait. 

Mouse-proofing tips

Sherwood recommends following a few steps once the weather gets cool each year to avoid a mouse problem.

• Set traps near the walls of your house or garage. Mice like to keep close to the wall because they feel safer there. 
• Most commercial traps will work to bait mice because they're naturally curious. Peanut butter seems to best attract the rodents. 
• Do a walk around the exterior and interior of your home to make sure there are no spaces a mouse can fit into. Sherwood says spray foam doesn't always keep them out because mice can chew right through it. It's best to use a metal mesh cover that won't rust over time. 
• Make sure doors and windows are sealed tightly. 
• Homes built near fields are usually built on top of natural mouse habitats. Be extra vigilant for the little critters in areas near fields. 
• Older homes that have settled or shifted can also pose a threat because the movement can expose new spots for mice to get in.