Being small and curious animals, mice can enter into several home appliances easily. From stoves to breadmakers and toasters, there’s no limit to the appliances these rodents can enter.
One thing you might want to find out is – “Can mice go inside the microwave?”
Yes, mice can go inside the microwave for several reasons. In fact, it is one of the most common appliances that they enter.
Sometimes, mice go inside the microwave because there’s a sufficient supply of food crumbs there. Other times, these rodents just need a warm and comfortable place to stay.
Of all household appliances, why do mice love to go inside the microwave?
Continue reading as we answer this question and others about mice and microwaves!
Table of Contents
Why Do Mice Love To Go Inside The Microwave?
While mice go inside the microwave for many reasons, we’ll explore the 5 most common ones!
1. Presence of Food Leftovers
Mice go inside the microwave, most especially to look for food crumbs and spills.
Generally, these rodents have a great sense of smell, which makes up for their poor eyesight. Hence, the smell of food coming out of the microwave attracts them quickly.
If mice find crumbs in the microwave once, they’ll continue to go back inside it. To them, the appliance is a new source that can always provide food.
Even if a mouse gets hurt in the microwave, it’ll return inside the appliance. While these rodents are intelligent animals, they can’t think rationally.
Most times, they majorly care about meeting their immediate needs, which include food and water. This is one of the reasons why it takes time and effort to get rid of them.
2. Perfect Hiding Place
When not in use, a microwave is dark and comfortable, making it perfect for mice to hide in.
This appliance gives the rodents a sense of safety, especially when there are predators around.
Considering their small size, mice are prey to large animals, including household pets. So, they’re always looking for places in their environment to stay safe from potential harm.
If mice come across a microwave, they may see it as a hiding spot. Since the appliance has a dark environment, predators will be less likely to notice their presence in it.
In addition, the microwave can provide enough space for the rodents to explore their environment freely.
Therefore, a mouse can live and reproduce in a microwave for as long as possible. However, this mostly happens when the microwave is faulty or not used regularly.
3. A Quiet Environment
Another possible reason why mice go inside a microwave is because they love quiet environments.
Due to their fearful nature, these rodents don’t like being in a noisy or busy area. Moreover, mice don’t like sudden noises because they associate them with the presence of predators.
Being in a calm environment allows the small animals to feel safe and stress-free. On the other hand, mice can become stressed and exhibit aggressive behavior in a noisy environment.
When not in constant use, the microwave is always quiet and can be safe for mice. This is mostly because owners don’t go near the appliance often, limiting the chances of threat.
Under favorable conditions, mice will settle in a microwave until they begin to experience disturbances.
4. Need For Temporary Shelter
Like other animals, mice need shelter, and the microwave can be an ideal choice.
Generally, mice are always looking for a place to live comfortably in their environment.
Once they find a dark, silent, and comfortable place, they’ll build a home there.
Moreover, they need a safe place to stay when the weather conditions are unfavorable. Female mice also need a secret place to deliver their young and care for them.
Not only is a microwave well-covered, but its interior is dark, providing privacy. Building a nest inside the appliance can comfortably meet the housing needs of mice.
Being resourceful animals, mice will check the microwave environment to ensure it is not in use. They may go inside the appliance occasionally to make sure it is beneficial to living.
When they’re certain that the place is good for a home, they’ll build a nest there.
5. Closeness to Food Supply Areas
If a microwave is in the same place as food supply areas, mice can go inside it.
Most houseowners keep their microwaves in the kitchen for easy access. In a case where the kitchen is small, they can place the appliance in the food storage area.
Some individuals set their garbage bins in the same location as their microwave. Being close to these places provides the opportunity for mice to get enough food.
Since the rodents prefer to stay private, they’ll use the microwave as a hiding spot.
Anytime they notice activities around these food supply areas, they’ll hide inside the appliance. But if there’s no movement around these areas, they’ll resume feeding on the available food.
What Happens If You Microwave a Mouse?
Microwaving a mouse can cause the rodent to die slowly and painfully. This is because the rodent would experience internal heating, resulting in pain and organ damage.
Additionally, the mouse may explode within the microwave, causing permanent damage to the appliance.
Therefore, it’s best not to engage in this act at all, primarily for moral reasons.
What Part Of The Microwave Can Mice Go Into?
Mice can go into different parts of the microwave. Let’s find out if they can go behind the appliance or its vent.
Can Mice Get Behind a Microwave?
Yes, mice can get behind a microwave when looking for food or a place to live. They can also squeeze their way into the back of a microwave to hide.
Generally, these rodents love being in places where they can feel safe and comfortable.
To discourage mice from coming around your microwave, seal all the places they can pass through.
Can Mice Get In The Microwave Vent?
Yes, mice can get into a microwave vent, given their small size. Typically, microwave vents allow proper airflow into the appliance while preventing objects from entering it.
Even though the vents are usually narrow, mice can find a way around them. Not only are the rodents smart, but they’re also resourceful.
They can enter narrow places easily, especially when looking for food.
Signs Of Mice In The Microwave
Knowing whether mice are in your microwave can be tricky because you may not see them. However, you’ll notice major signs, which include:
- Small, dark, pellet-like droppings
- Little pieces of paper, clothes, or other materials
- Squeaking or scratching noises, especially at night
- Grease marks on the cords or base of the microwave
- Chewing marks on items around the appliance, including electrical wires
- A pungent urine odor
- Small, dusty footprints
How To Keep Mice Out Of The Microwave
There are several ways to keep mice out of the microwave. Here are the most effective ones:
- Always clean in and around your microwave thoroughly after use to get rid of food crumbs.
- Look for possible holes and cracks that mice can pass through in the microwave and block them.
- Place the microwave in a location that mice will struggle to access.
- Apply repellents such as peppermint oil, cloves, and cayenne pepper around the microwave.
- Set traps with baits such as cheese, peanut butter, or chocolates, close to the microwave.
- Keep your indoor and outdoor environments clean at all times.
- Declutter the environment around your microwave, as mice love disorganized places.
- Seal your trash bins tightly and place them outdoors to prevent them from attracting mice into your home.
- Consider keeping predators, especially cats, as pets, as mice cannot stay around them.
- If you’re finding it hard to get rid of mice completely in your microwave, seek professional help.
Mice Inside The Microwave- How To Clean
Follow these tips to clean the inside of your microwave if you find mice in it:
- Unplug the microwave to avoid the risk of electrocution.
- Take out all the leftover foods in the appliance and throw them away.
- Using a dishcloth, wipe the interior parts of the microwave, including the door and the turntable, with warm, soapy water.
- Rinse each part thoroughly with clean water and dab with a clean, dry cloth.
- For stubborn stains, apply baking soda to the spots and leave for 20 minutes, then scrub and dry with a clean cloth.
- If you notice a pungent smell in the microwave interior, mix vinegar and water in equal quantities. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray all the surfaces. Leave for 10 – 15 minutes before cleaning with a damp cloth.
Recap
Mice can go inside the microwave, especially if they’re looking for food or shelter. They may enter the appliance to look for food, a hiding place, or a quiet environment.
Mice also go inside the microwave to find shelter and to stay near food storage places.
To keep these rodents away from your appliance, always get rid of food crumbs inside it. Ensure there are no holes or cracks that mice can pass through into your home.
Additionally, use repellants, set traps, seal your trash bins, and always ensure your environment is clean.
Finally, seek professional help if the mice inside your microwave keep coming back.
Perhaps you’re wondering whether mice can enter a refrigerator or not, check out this article – Can Mice Go Into a Closed Refrigerator?
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