How to get rid of mice in your house

Discovering mice in your house can be unsettling - and it's more common than you might think. According to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), there are about 80,000 callouts for mice each year.

With the help of Chris Leach of pest control service Pest Stop Boys, we tell you the best way to tackle a mouse problem before it becomes an infestation.

Learn how to spot the signs of mice, what to do if you find them in your home, and the different options for traps and poisons.

Can all mice damage your home?

There are three main types of mice that commonly infest UK homes - a house mouse, which is small with light-brown or grey fur, a field mouse, which has sandy fur and a white-grey belly, and the yellow-necked mouse, which has a band of lighter fur around its neck.

However, Chris says the type of mouse does not alter the approach taken by a professional pest controller.

The presence of just one mouse can quickly lead to a larger infestation.

'Unfortunately, mice urinate a lot, providing a scent to other mice that may be present,' he says. 'This is their way to find a mate and start a family.'

All types of mice can cause damage in the home, although the extent of the damage can depend on the size of the infestation.

'Mice can contaminate stored food and chew through packaging,' says Chris.

'They can also chew through electrical wires or plastic water pipes, causing leaks and, in the worst cases, a fire.

'As these wires are found in the ceiling voids, where they like to nest, a light not working or a small damp patch on the ceiling may be the first sign of a problem.'

How to get rid of mice in the house

There are a few options when it comes to getting rid of mice, each with their own positives and negatives.

Chris says: 'Traps, be that a snap trap or a humane one, have their place when approaching a shallow infestation. These methods are not recommended when mice have nested.'

For nesting mice, a carefully positioned, small amount of rodenticide - a type of poison specifically designed to control or kill rodents - can often provide quicker control than alternative methods.

Professional pest controllers, however, have access to specialised rodenticides that pose a significantly lower risk to others - such as pets or children - and reduce the likelihood of secondary poisoning.

You could also consider a repellent - this is a chemical or natural substance that does not directly harm the mouse but triggers an unpleasant sensory response. One example is peppermint oil because mice dislike its strong scent.

'Repellents may keep mice from your living space for a time, but they do not tackle the root of the problem,' says Chris.

Using mouse traps (snap traps)

This is what most people might picture when they think of mouse traps. This trap is loaded with bait, with a metal bar that is pulled back and spring-loaded. When the bait or trigger is disturbed, the bar snaps shut on the mouse.

For bait, don’t bother with cheese unless your home is infested with cartoon mice. Use something fatty and sweet, such as peanut butter or hazelnut spread. One Which? staff member found snipped bacon rind worked well during a recent infestation.

Mice typically run along the edges of walls, so make sure your traps are set up against the bottom of walls or skirting boards to increase the chance the mouse encounters it.

Pros

• Relatively cheap
• Easy to use and set up
• Uses no chemicals
• Reusable
• Death is usually instant

Cons

• Can pose an injury risk to people, especially young children who can get their fingers caught, and pets
• May not always kill rodents instantly

Using 'humane' mouse traps

Sometimes called 'live traps', these types of traps are often marketed as more humane than your typical snap model. They are long, usually see-through boxes designed to catch the mouse alive, to then be released outside.

Most work in a similar fashion to snap traps, with a spring-loading mechanism which is set off when a mouse triggers it. This mechanism shuts the door to the trap, leaving the mouse alive inside.

If you use humane traps for mice, you should check them every 12 hours, or the captured rodents might starve to death.

Bear in mind they might not survive when released, as they’ll be in an unfamiliar habitat without access to the safety of their nest, so this solution may not be as humane as it seems.

Pros

• Catches the mouse without killing it
• Uses no chemicals
• Reusable

Cons

• Mice can return if not released far enough away
• You'll need to check the traps regularly
• Mice may die anyway when released

Using poison

Poison is the standard method used to get rid of rats, but it can also be effective with mice. It should only really be considered as a last resort if other methods haven't worked and you need to make sure you use it correctly. At best, it could be ineffective and, at worst, a danger to your family, pets or other animals.

Don’t be tempted to cut corners. Ensure you read the instructions very carefully and follow them to the letter. 

There are several types of rodent poison available, and you can find them at most hardware shops. Options include poison blocks or bricks, pellets, and even 'pasta' - a thin, poisonous sachet made with wheat and grains.

Many of these options can be used within a bait box, which is a small container designed to hold rodent bait (but not to trap creatures).

If you don't feel completely confident using poison, you might be best leaving it to the professionals and trying a different method.

Pros

• Designed to be highly attractive to mice and rodents
• Lots of types available

Cons

• Can be extremely harmful to people and pets if used incorrectly
• Non-target animal poisoning is possible, including pets, but also any animal that might eat the mouse after it's disposed of, such as foxes, cats and wild mammals
• Mice can die in hard-to-reach areas, meaning retrieval can be tricky
• Can cause unnecessary suffering for the animal

Pest control is made trickier when you've got pets to worry about. See our guides on pet insurance explained and the best pet insurance to understand your options

When to call professional pest control

If DIY methods fail, you’re not comfortable handling it yourself, or the infestation is serious, you may need to call in professionals.

Chris says: 'Action should be taken as soon as possible, depending on the situation. If, for example, you have a cat that brings in the odd mouse, a call to a professional may not be necessary immediately.

'However, if you have recently moved into a new home and find evidence of mice activity, we recommend calling a professional, as 60% of pest control infestations are inherited. We can determine in two visits whether the problem is current or historic.'

You can find Which?-endorsed pest control services through Which? Trusted Traders or use our handy tool below.

What things typically attract mice?

'Food, shelter and warmth are what mice are looking for,' says Chris.

'Internal and external kitchen walls house pipework to allow drainage for sinks, washing machines and dishwashers. But they also often allow rodents access into the property.'

He adds that loft insulation could be a potential nesting site.

'Due to the fact that mice travel through the fabric of our homes, via cavity walls and following warm pipework, they tend to end up in loft spaces.'

The best way to prevent this is to block entry points around the loft, such as gaps around pipes, vents, or eaves, and, if possible, use rodent-resistant materials, such as wire mesh or rodent-proof barriers, during installation.

Check your loft regularly for signs of activity, such as droppings, shredded insulation or gnaw marks.

Signs of mice in the home

• Droppings Often roughly the size of a grain of rice - mouse droppings are around 3 to 6mm long. They are small, dark and glossy.
• Grease marks Mice have naturally oily fur, which can leave dark, greasy-looking marks on walls, floors and skirting boards as they move around.
• Gnaw marks Mice gnaw on objects to keep their teeth short and sharp, so they may not just chew through things to get to food. You may notice small, irregular holes in surfaces made of wood or plastic, as well as paper and even electrical wires. Keep an eye on your food containers, especially easily accessible ones like cardboard cereal boxes.
• Footprints Mouse paw prints are, as you'd expect, rather small - typically less than half an inch long. They have four toes on each front foot and five on each back foot. You may also be able to see drag marks from their tail. 
• Nests You may find nests in enclosed, undisturbed areas of your home such as in drawers, gaps in walls, or attics. Mice may also make their nests behind appliances like the oven, fridge or washing machine, or in lower kitchen cabinets. They create nests out of materials like paper, cardboard and insulation.
• Scratching sounds Mice are most active at night. You may hear scurrying or scratching noises in your walls or ceiling after dark.
• Urine smell Mouse urine has a strong ammonia-like smell.
• Pets acting strangely Your dog or cat may start acting differently if they sense mice nearby. Keep an eye on behaviours like pawing or sniffing at walls or intense staring, barking, whining or growling at specific areas.

Rodents terrorising your outdoor plants and seedlings? See how to get rid of mice in your garden, and how to deter rats

How to prevent mice in the home

Once the infestation is under control, Chris says proofing work is essential to prevent further infestations.

This could include:

• Blocking up any holes where they could be getting access You’ll need to be thorough, as mice can squeeze through gaps of just 5mm wide – roughly the diameter of a pencil. Check around windows, doors, vents, and pipes. 
• Checking along outside walls for any spaces rodents could be squeezing through, especially around pipes Seal possible entry points with wire wool embedded in quick-setting cement.  See our piece on how to draught proof your home. Be aware you might not be able to do this yourself if you rent your home.
• Fitting mesh across air vents or grilles which have gaps narrower than 5mm
• Fitting a bristle strip on any wooden doors that have gaps at the bottom
• Sealing food in containers Particularly focus on easy-to-access food such as flour, sugar and cereal. Glass containers are ideal, but plastic will suffice. Read our useful food storage tips.
• Cleaning up crumbs Keep your kitchen as clean as possible, wipe down surfaces and sweep frequently, and make sure to use a good kitchen cleaning spray. Handheld vacuums are also useful for small, quick clean-ups and work well on hard surfaces such as kitchen counters, tables and floors. Our independent tests have found the best handheld vacuum cleaners for tackling small messes and crumbs.
• Keeping bins and bin bags secure Make sure lids are securely closed, and take your kitchen bins out frequently.
• Not leaving pet food out overnight Pet food can be attractive to mice and other rodents. Clean your pet's bowls at the end of the day and don't refill until breakfast.
• Decluttering your house Reduce the number of hiding places in your house by cleaning and organising your home regularly. See our guide to decluttering your home in three easy steps for our expert tips on keeping tidy.

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If you rent your home and find a mouse

If you’re renting, handling a mouse problem on your own can be challenging since you might not have the freedom to make changes to the property, like sealing holes with quick-drying cement or removing baseboards.

Check your tenancy agreement to find out who is responsible for pest control. It is unlikely you will be responsible for tackling an infestation unless you have done something that encourages pests, such as leaving your bins or food out.

Housing association Shelter says landlords must deal with a pest infestation if it has been caused by a repair that needs fixing, such as holes in the house. If pests were there when you moved in, they should remedy the issue.

Contact your landlord - tell them the repairs needed, the impact on your health, and report any damage to your furniture and belongings. They should organise all the necessary repairs and arrange a visit from pest control, either from the council or a private company. You should not be charged if the infestation is the landlord's responsibility.

If your landlord does not sort the problem out, you can get advice from or complain to your local council and request an inspection. The council may also make your landlord fix the problem.

Don't withhold your rent, as you can be evicted for this. If you pay for pest control yourself, you can try to negotiate a rent reduction or claim compensation for any disruption or damage to your belongings.

Make sure you know your rights when renting from a private landlord, or book an appointment with the Which? Legal team below.

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With thanks to Chris Leach of Pest Stop Boys for his assistance and expertise.