Signs of mice

Signs of Mice

Call us for a quote on +448081631487  or Contact Us

For 95+ years we have protected properties across the UK from pests

All local technicians are highly trained and certified pest controllers

Innovative and unique treatments that resolve pest problems effectively

Signs of Mice

Have you noticed an unusual, ammonia like smell, seen small dark droppings, greasy marks on walls or skirting boards or noticed shredded materials or gnaw marks? Then you may have mice in your property. Mice are usually nocturnal and can remain hidden for a long time before you even begin to suspect a problem. If you find signs of mouse activity, our BPCA certified technicians are able to confirm the presence of mice and offer a safe, targeted, effective treatments to resolve any issues with mice. Call us  on +448081631487 for safe and effective treatments for mice. 
Mice can squeeze through gaps about the size of a pencil

Mice Infestation Signs

Mice are nocturnal creatures, preferring to keep hidden during the day and search for food from dusk till dawn. Here are some common signs of mouse activity you can look for in your property.

    • Droppings -  50/ 80 droppings a night, small and dark (approx. 3 - 8 mm in length), scattered randomly, check inside or on cupboard tops or along skirting.
    • Grease marks - Caused by their bodies brushing against walls, floors and skirting on regular routes, dark smears around holes or around corners.
    • Urine pillars - In established or heavy infestations, body grease, combined with dirt and urine, builds up into small mounds, up to 4cm high and 1cm wide.
    • Scratching noises - Often at night when mice are most active. Listen for noises between partition walls, under floorboards, in false ceilings, basements and lofts.
    • Nests - Using easy to shred materials, mice then line the nest with other soft materials. Check lofts, suspended ceilings, cavity walls, under floorboards and behind fridges, under stoves and in airing cupboards.
    • Tracks footprints - Dusty environments such as unused lofts and  basements can show up rodent tracks and tail marks. To check for activity, sprinkle flour, talcum powder or china clay and check the next day for fresh tracks.
    • Live or dead mice - Spotting a mouse during the daytime can be an indication of a heavy infestation.
    • Strong smell - Mice urinate frequently and their wee has a strong ammonia-like smell. The stronger the smell the closer you are to mice activity. This smell can linger for a long time (even after an infestation has been removed).

Droppings - 50/80 a night randomly scattered
Urine pillars - body grease, dirt & urine build into small mounds

Checking for Mice in your House

Where in your home or business should you start to look for the signs of mice and damage they can cause? Mice are agile and are inquisitive creatures, able to use their flexible skeletons to squeeze into the tiniest spaces, so you need to be pragmatic and check a building for mice from the very top to the bottom, inside and out. Here are some common places you might find mice hiding within a property.

    • Lofts, attics & eaves - mice will shred soft materials like loft insulation, paper, cardboard and any fabrics you may have stored away (from woollen scarves to lace tablecloths. They will shred these items to line their nests. Also check for scattered mouse droppings and an ammonia like smell. This can be quite strong in a confined space like a loft.
    • Kitchens & laundries - check behind 'all' appliances, as mice can easily squeeze into gaps behind a fridge freezer or under the base of a cooker. Any areas where pipework or cabling enters through walls from the outside offers mice a chance to sneak in, so check behind the washing machine too.
    • Basements & cellars - usually the haunt of spiders, but mice can gain entry to lower floors through air bricks and vents, especially if they are damaged.
    • Cavity walls - and other hidden spaces such as suspended ceilings, crawlspaces and even understair and airing cupboards, mice will make use of, as these places are secure and protected harbourages that often go unnoticed.

Nests - check lofts, suspended ceilings, cavity walls etc...

Contact Us

Where to Check for Mice Outside a Building

It's a misconception that mice are only a winter problem, house mice are active all year round. So where outside your home or business should you start checking for the signs of mice?

    • Sheds - check the base of wooden doors for gaps and gnaw marks. Field mice are more likely to enter sheds and outbuildings in search of stored foods, preferably fruits and vegetatbles.
    • Garages - check for gaps around door frames or holes gnawed at the bottom of wooden doors. If you have an integral garage check around the internal door as well, and any vents that could give entry into other internal areas.
    • Compost bins - compost heaps attract mice because they are warm and contain food. Check lid and base of composters for holes and gnaw marks.
    • Vegetation - ovegrown vegetation, especially close to walls may be used by mice to shelter and nest. Vines, shrubs and overhanging branches close to a property can give mice a climbing frame from which to reach entry points in the eaves or on the roof.

Worried about mice ?

If you are worried about a future problem with mice, you can take some practical steps now to prevent mice getting indoors in the first place. If however, you've found that mice are already inside your property you need to act quickly.

 Call us free on +448081631487 to get rid of mice safely from your home or business.