Signs of mice in your house
Mice are good at staying out of sight. Most people notice the clues before they ever see one.
The common signs
- Droppings: small, dark and rice-shaped, usually along walls, in cupboards and behind appliances.
- Noises: scratching or scurrying in walls, ceilings or under floors, mostly at night.
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wiring, wood or soft plastics.
- Nests: shredded paper, fabric or insulation tucked into quiet, warm spots.
- A musty, stale smell that gets stronger in closed-off spaces.
Where to look first
- Under the kitchen sink and behind the fridge and stove.
- Along the edges of the basement, garage and utility room.
- Inside lower cupboards, pantry corners and the back of drawers.
- Attics and crawl spaces, if you can reach them safely.
What to do first
- Store food in hard containers and clean up crumbs.
- Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning droppings, and wet-wipe instead of sweeping so dust does not spread.
- Note where you see signs: it tells the technician where mice are travelling.
- Do not block holes with newspaper or foam alone. Mice chew through it. A technician can find and proof the real entry points.
When to get help
If you see droppings in more than one room, hear activity regularly, or the signs come back after cleaning, the problem is usually bigger than one or two mice. Our mouse and rat service uses locked bait stations (no snap or glue traps), includes a photo report of entry points, and carries a six-month guarantee.
See mouse & rat control ($299 + HST)
Keep reading
General information for homeowners. Every home is different; your technician will confirm what applies to yours.
Let's make them gone.