How a Handyman Can Help You Locate Where Mice Are Getting Into Your Basement in Livonia, MI

If you’ve started hearing scratching sounds in your walls, finding droppings in the basement, or noticing chewed wires or insulation, chances are you’ve got uninvited guests — mice. And if you live in Livonia, Michigan, you’re not alone. As temperatures drop in the fall and winter, rodents across Michigan look for warmth, food, and shelter — and your basement is prime real estate.

While you might be tempted to toss down a few traps and call it good, that won’t fix the real problem. The real key to solving a mouse infestation is finding and sealing where they’re getting in. That’s where an experienced handyman comes in.

In this guide, we’ll break down how a handyman can help you identify entry points, seal gaps, and protect your home from future infestations. So you know how mice are getting into your basement and can stop them.

Why Mice Love Michigan Basements

Michigan’s cold climate makes basements a perfect nesting ground. They’re warm, dark, and usually close to the kitchen or storage areas.

In Livonia, we often see mice entering through:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Gaps around utility pipes or vents
• Unsealed basement windows or window wells
• Damaged weather-stripping on doors
• Poorly sealed crawl space vents

Even a hole the size of a dime is big enough for a mouse to squeeze through. Once they’re in, they reproduce quickly — and that’s when a small problem becomes a big one.

Step 1: Inspection — Finding the Source of the Problem

A professional handyman doesn’t just look at where you saw a mouse. We look at the entire structure.

Here’s how the inspection process typically works:

1. Exterior check: We walk the perimeter of your home, looking for any cracks, gaps, or holes in the foundation, siding, or around utility lines.
2. Basement inspection: We look for droppings, gnaw marks, shredded insulation, and possible nesting areas.
3. Entry point tracing: Mice often leave dirty rub marks (from their fur oil) along walls or around entry points — we use that to track them.

By pinpointing where they’re entering, a handyman can take targeted action to seal off the weak points.

For more helpful home tips, check out our fall home maintenance checklist for Detroit.

Step 2: Sealing Entry Points Properly

Once the access points are located, it’s time to seal them up. A good handyman uses durable materials that rodents can’t chew through, such as:

• Steel wool and caulk for small cracks
• Expanding foam with mesh backing for larger gaps
• Metal flashing or cement for foundation openings
• Weather-stripping for basement doors or windows

It’s not just about filling holes — it’s about long-term prevention. Most DIY fixes fail because homeowners use foam or sealants mice can chew right through.

If your door frames are damaged or misaligned, that’s another common rodent access point. Our door repair services in Michigan can help close those gaps for good.

Step 3: Addressing Structural or Utility Issues

Sometimes, mice aren’t getting in through something obvious. A handyman knows where to look — and it’s not always where you’d expect.

We often find entry points around:

• Air conditioning or furnace lines
• Dryer vents
• Sump pump discharge pipes
• Foundation settling cracks

A qualified handyman can repair or patch these areas without disrupting your utilities — ensuring your home stays both functional and pest-free.

Step 4: Cleaning and Sanitizing the Area

Once the holes are sealed, it’s critical to clean up droppings and nesting material. Mice carry bacteria and allergens, and leaving debris behind can attract new rodents.

Handyman services can help with light cleanup, odor removal, and minor insulation repair — saving you from touching contaminated material yourself.

Step 5: Preventing Future Infestations

After sealing the entry points and cleaning up, the final step is prevention.

Here are some handyman-approved tips to keep mice out of your Livonia home for good:

• Keep food stored in airtight containers.
• Seal trash cans and compost bins.
• Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
• Keep firewood stacked away from your home.
• Schedule seasonal home inspections to catch small issues early.

Many homeowners also include rodent checks as part of their seasonal handyman maintenance plan, right along with gutter cleaning, caulking, and weatherproofing.

Why Hire a Handyman Instead of a Pest Control Company?

This one surprises people — but exterminators and handymen actually play different roles.

A pest control company can get rid of the mice.
A handyman can stop them from ever coming back.

Exterminators often overlook the structural repair aspect — that’s where your handyman steps in. We fix and seal the vulnerabilities that let pests in to begin with.

It’s a perfect one-two punch: pest control handles the infestation; the handyman prevents the next one.

The Cost of Ignoring the Problem

A small hole today can turn into a major headache later.
If left unchecked, mice can:

• Chew electrical wires, causing fire hazards
• Contaminate food and surfaces
• Damage insulation and drywall
• Create strong odors that spread through ductwork

It’s not just unpleasant — it’s unsafe. The average Michigan homeowner who ignores a mouse problem can easily spend $500–$2,000 in repairs and cleanup later on. Acting early saves you money and stress.

When to Call a Professional Handyman

If you’ve tried setting traps or using repellents but still see signs of mice, it’s time to bring in help.

A professional handyman in Livonia can:

• Inspect your foundation and basement walls
• Locate hidden entry points around utilities and vents
• Repair gaps and damaged materials
• Replace weather-stripping or door seals
• Coordinate with pest control if needed

You’ll get a complete solution, not just a quick fix.