How to Get Rid of Mice in the House

Having a mouse in the house is more common than many people realize. The National Pest Management Association estimates that mice and other rodents make their way into approximately 21 million homes annually in the United States.

These tiny, fast-moving pests can fit into openings as small as the width of a dime, and they carry more than 200 pathogens that could make the inhabitants of your home sick — pets included.

Even worse, it’s rare to have a single mouse in the house.

Where there’s one mouse, there are typically many more, and the longer they live in a home, the larger the infestation is likely to get. Female mice reproduce quickly, having as many as a dozen babies every month.

Permanently removing mice can be challenging, particularly for those attempting it on their own without professional experience. Taking some proactive steps may help get rid of mice in walls, attics, basements, and other spots where the critters love to hide. 

Signs of a Mouse Problem

Seeing a mouse is an obvious clue, but that isn’t always the first thing homeowners notice. Mice are usually active at night and tend to stay in areas of the home that don’t get much traffic, so it’s possible to have an infestation and not know it.

There are several signs that can tip off homeowners to rodent activity. 

Droppings

Mouse droppings look like grains of rice with slightly pointed ends. It might be dark if it is fresh but will appear dry and a grayish color if it is older. Droppings are usually found near nests and areas where mice feed. They might pop up in drawers, cupboards, pantries, and other places where food is stored.

Chew Marks

Mice will gnaw holes in walls and insulation. They will chew on piles of paper, food wrappers, and food scraps.

Tracks

Mice may leave distinct runways in the areas where they frequently scamper. Smudges, urine stains, droppings, and footprints may also be visible along the way.

Noises

In the walls, the attic, or other places in the home, mice scurry around at night and make noise. Other things to listen for include gnawing sounds or scratching beneath the floors, inside cabinets, or inside walls.

Nests

Mice make their nests out of whatever scraps are on hand — or paw. That may include torn paper, insulation, fabric, and other soft materials.

They tend to create nests in out-of-the-way spots where it’s dry and warm.

How to Get Rid of Mice in Attics, Basements, Walls & More

Prevention can go a long way to help avoid problems in the future.

Start by keeping all food contained and stored in glass or metal containers. Ensure everyone eats at a dining table to avoid dropping crumbs around the house.

Clean cooking and eating surfaces daily and vacuum or sweep to remove any crumbs that may fall on the floor.

Other solutions that may work to get rid of mice include:

• Block Entryways: Find openings and/or cracks, then seal the area with steel wool and duct tape.
• Deter with Essential Oils: Spray areas that mice are attracted to, including drawers and cupboards, with clove oil or peppermint oil.
• Use Traps: Humane traps allow you to catch and release mice but are a temporary solution. Avoid poisonous bait, which can be a dangerous hazard for children and pets.

When to Call for Professional Help

The best way to eliminate a mouse problem is to call an experienced pest control company like USX Pest. Mice are a health hazard that can contaminate homes, spread diseases, and make terrible messes in the process.

And if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s entirely possible to make the situation worse or have a recurring infestation in the future.

Professionals can quickly and efficiently get the situation under control. They can also be relied on for innovative solutions like rodent exclusion, which helps keep mice out of the house naturally by creating a barrier.

USX Pest has highly trained technicians who will perform a thorough inspection of the property, set traps to catch mice, and remove the infestation. Once completed, they also vacuum to remove droppings and debris left behind by the critters. Then the affected areas are sanitized, restoring the home to its condition before the mouse infestation.  

Do you want to learn more about how to get rid of mice with USX Pest? Contact us today at (413) 216-4629 or schedule a free inspection online to get started.