As Construction Booms Reshape America, Millions of Mice Are Seeking New Homes—And They Might Choose Yours
The United States is experiencing an unprecedented construction boom in 2025, with 1.1 million new homes expected in 2025—a 13.8% increase from 2024. While this surge in development promises to address the nation’s housing shortage, it’s creating an unexpected side effect that homeowners across the country are discovering: a massive displacement of rodents seeking new shelter.
The Great Mouse Migration: Understanding the Connection
Construction projects don’t attract mice and rats—they displace them. The unfortunate truth is that mice and rats were always in these places, they were just in hiding. The construction just disturbed their nesting ground or hiding spots and brought them out into the open. When developers break ground on new projects, they’re essentially evicting entire rodent colonies that have been living underground or in existing structures for years.
When a construction project starts, the human residents aren’t the only ones who have to vacate. This drives away any rats and mice in, under, and around the building, and they must look for the nearest warm place to call home. The bigger the project, the more rodents scattering into the surrounding neighborhood.
2025’s Construction Surge: A Perfect Storm for Rodent Displacement
The scale of construction activity in 2025 makes this rodent displacement particularly significant. The growth forecast for Total US Construction Starts in 2025 is 8.5%. The growth forecast is driven largely by the positive economic outlook, strong government spending, and falling interest rates, which help to support growth in the Residential and Nonresidential Building sectors.
This construction boom isn’t limited to major metropolitan areas. Leading the nation is Idaho, which authorized new housing at a rate of 21.2 units per 1,000 existing homes—more than twice the national average. Other fast-growing states in the Southeast and Mountain West also reported high construction rates. North Carolina and South Carolina, for example, each authorized nearly 19 new homes per 1,000 existing units in 2024.
Why Your Home Becomes a Target
Displaced rodents don’t travel far when seeking new shelter. Rodents are survivors. They quickly look for safer environments when their nests are disturbed by heavy machinery, demolition, or excavation. Homes offer everything they need: food, water, warmth, and shelter. A basement, attic, or garage becomes the perfect nesting spot for displaced rodents.
The vulnerability of homes increases during construction periods. Older homes are particularly at risk, but even newer buildings have weak points. Cracks in foundations, gaps around doors and windows, vents, and utility lines are common entry points. During construction, the ground may shift or crack, creating new openings.
Recognizing the Signs of Rodent Invasion
If construction is happening in your neighborhood, watch for these warning signs of rodent activity:
- Greasy looking rub marks close to the floor along walls; signs of gnawing on electrical wires; a stale, musky, “mousey” odor; little black rice-like pellets (droppings), and strange noises like squeaks, rustling, or scurrying sounds
- Rodent droppings are small, dark pellets often found in kitchens, pantries, basements, and along walls
- Damage to food packaging or materials that could be used for nesting
The Health and Safety Risks
The displacement of rodents poses serious health concerns for homeowners. These pests can all carry numerous diseases that can be extremely harmful such as plague, jaundice, and salmonellosis. Mice and rats can transmit over 35 different diseases including salmonellosis, jaundice, and the plaque.
Beyond health risks, rodents can cause significant property damage through their gnawing behavior, particularly to electrical wiring, which can create fire hazards.
Proactive Protection Strategies
The key to managing construction-related rodent displacement is prevention. If you see a new construction project starting near your home, then it’s time to start protecting your house from rodents.
Essential prevention steps include:
- Seal all gaps that give access to your building: Inspect the outside of your property to seal any cracks in your walls, foundation, plumbing fixtures, or otherwise with either a silicone-based caulk or steel wool as you see fit.
- Control depends on three factors: food, water, and shelter. Eliminating these three necessities will have the greatest effect on getting rid of rats and mice and preventing future infestations.
- Maintain clean environments and secure food storage
- Address moisture issues that provide water sources
When Professional Help is Needed
While prevention is crucial, some situations require professional intervention. Rodents are some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet and can be extremely difficult to control. Not to mention that they reproduce rapidly, and steadily. Seek out an experienced professional who is trained to help prevent infestations, address current infestations, and also to prevent future infestations.
For residents in Sussex County, New Jersey, Prestige Pest Unit & House Wash offers comprehensive mice pest control services. Here at Prestige Pest Unit & House Wash, we do our best to show up on time, treat your home with respect, and get rid of your pest or rodent problem right the first time around. Their approach emphasizes environmentally conscious methods and effective tools to address pest problems without compromising your family’s safety. When you work with us, you’re choosing a local team that values your home as much as you do.
The Community Response
Addressing construction-related rodent displacement requires community-wide cooperation. Pest prevention is the most successful when a community works together. Talk to your neighbors about the scope of the problem and what steps you are taking around your home.
Some municipalities have implemented rodent abatement requirements. Most cities around Seattle require rodent abatement of a building before any construction can begin. This simply means contractors must get rid of any rats and mice from the building before they start demolition, so that neighborhood scattering is reduced. However, unscrupulous contractors might skip the abatement process to save time and money. Additionally, not all types of construction projects require abatement permits.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for Continued Growth
With construction activity expected to remain robust through 2025 and beyond, homeowners must remain vigilant. ConstructConnect’s 2025 forecast for total construction spending growth of 8.5% is broad-based, with residential and nonresidential building construction expected to expand by 12% and 8%, respectively.
The message is clear: as America builds its way toward addressing the housing crisis, millions of displaced rodents will be seeking new homes. By understanding this phenomenon and taking proactive measures, homeowners can protect their properties from becoming unintended sanctuaries for these unwanted guests.
If construction is planned for your area, don’t wait until it causes a rodent problem. The time to act is now, before the first shovel hits the ground in your neighborhood.