Mice usually make a nest within 10 to 20 feet from a food and water source.
Mice also like places that are warm. Refrigerators, laundry rooms near pantries, cabinets with snack food and cereal, where you store dry cat/dog food, and garbage cans are common places mice will seek out.
Watch your cats. Cats usually stalk their prey. Are they sticking their paws under a certain piece of furniture or appliance? The nest is either under there or within 10 feet. Look for cracks in the wall, loose or missing base moulding/door casements, tears in dry wall, holes in cabinets (check every inch).
Mom needs food so she can nurse. Most likely, she is leaving her pups, to search.
Put some food out and inside the traps. I used a little peanut butter on the outside of the traps and halfway inside. I put a saucer of Cheerios (dry/plain), sunflowers seeds, pumpkin seeds... or no mess wild birdseed (no shells).
I also put a slice of cucumber or melon without skin inside the trap as a source of hydration just in case you forget to check the trap.
You need to check the traps as often as possible. If you work from home, every hour would be great. But, maybe twice during the work day and a few times before you go to bed.
If you are concerned for the babies, mom needs to be free to feed them every 4 to 6 hours at this stage in their development. If you don't catch her before you go to bed, I would pick up the traps and set the down again when you wake up. She will be attracted to the food source if you make it worth her while.
Order a couple catch and hold (humane) mouse traps. These are the two that work the best for me with Deer mice...
[Amazon - Humane Catch and Release Indoor/Outdoor Mouse Traps 2 pack](https://www.amazon.com/SURENSHY-Catcher-Effective-Reusable-Families/dp/B08219DSXP/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Mouse%2BTraps%2C%2BHumane%2BMouse%2BTrap%2C%2BEasy%2Bto%2BSet%2C%2BMouse%2BCatcher%2BQuick%2BEffective%2BReusable%2Band%2BSafe%2Bfor%2BFamilies%2B-2%2BPack&qid=1637194447&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-4&th=1)
[Amazon - Victor Multiple Catch Humane Mouse Trap](https://smile.amazon.com/Victor-Multiple-Catch-Humane-M333/dp/B004CMNWES/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Victor+mouse+traps+humane&qid=1637193439&sr=8-2)
Placement of the traps is important. Mice travel along walls and they try to stick to walls with a lot of furniture or other items hiding their path from view.
Another way to find where the mice are nesting is to follow their little poops or use an Ultraviolet flashlight and glasses to find the urine trails. The UV flashlights are around $15 on amazon.
Here are some links on Wild Mouse care...
Pet Mouse Fanciers - Wild Mouse Care
Bucky Goldstein's Deer Mouse Ranch
One last thing to consider is using a mouse birth control product called Conntraceptol. It contains mouse pheromones to attract the mice. Otherwise, it's just a herbal treat. Add a little to the bait food and it will control keep the mice you have from multiplying.
If you do keep the mice with the mom. Use the Conntraceptol in their habitat so they don't reproduce. Babies are capable of reproducing at just 4 weeks old. That's when they switch to solid food.
The "refill" bag of Conntraceptol is $20. The company wants to sell you a feeding station and the same bag for almost twice that, but it's unnecessary.
Conntraceptol Website - Birth Control for Mice and Rats
Shawn Woods is YouTube contributor who reviews mouse traps, deterrents and other things related to mice and rats. Shawn also keeps fancy mice and rats as pets. Shawn has 2 videos on Conntraceptol and it's effectiveness. He may also be someone worth reaching to...
Shawn Woods - Conntraceptol and Rats (2021)
This video came before his rat video...
Shawn Woods - Conntraceptol and Mice (2018)
Let me know if you have any questions. I kept a family of Deer mice a long time ago through a cold winter in Chicago and released them as soon as the weather was mild.
Deer mice will usually leave buildings for the outdoors once the weather turns warm. So, using the Conntraceptol maybe enough. If you weren't pregnant, I'd say just wait out the winter until they leave.
Here is some peace of mind... at least about Hanta Virus...
If you are not in the western states of the U.S., the reported outbreak between 1993 and 2019 are pretty low. Only 5 cases were reported in IL during that time frame. See the CDC map below...
CDC - Hanta Virus Reported Outbreaks between 1993 and 2019
Keep in mind most buildings during the winter have "guests". It has nothing to do with how clean your home is or where you live (city vs. suburbs vs. rural). Knowing that and the number of Hanta Virus cases reported may help you sleep at night.
If you are still concerned about Hanta or other diseases and the risks involved, call your doctor. I'd also ask about the Conntraseptol, too. It's just herbs and mouse pheromones, but be safe. The best way to reach my doctor is through their patient portal.
Well, I hope that helps. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a chat.