Categories: All WildLife Blog

5 Top Signs You Have a Mouse in the House

Nothing spells trouble like a mice infestation. These critters are just looking for a place to live, but unfortunately, you don’t want it to be yours. They pose health problems and sanitation issues that need immediate attention. 

Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!

You may have noticed something off around the home, such as weird smells, marks, and other indications of new houseguests you don’t remember inviting. If you’re unsure whether you have mice, let the top five signs you have a mouse problem help.

1. Chewed Property

Gnaw marks found on household property are a strong indication of mice in your home. These rodents will chew on anything they can: food packaging, papers, cardboard, electrical wires, decks, trim, cabinets. Your home is practically a giant chew toy for them. It’s a technique used to keep their teeth trim and sharp and to shred bedding materials for their nests. 

You can determine a chew mark’s age by comparing a recent chew mark to similar material with older marks. Gnaw marks begin light in colour and get darker over time. If the marks look similar, it’s one of many signs you have a mouse. In addition to checking for chew marks, look for small, clear-cut holes approximately the size of a dime. Mice are known to leave these behind as well.

2. Scurrying in the Walls

Not all signs you have a mouse require a physical presence. One of the signs you have a mouse is auditory in nature. A light pitter-patter across ceilings or scratching up and down walls usually means there’s a mouse moving around back there. 

Sounds are usually one of the earlier signs you have a mouse. You’ll hear activity from mice in walls, under floorboards, and in the attic. Pay attention to the specific area you hear noise and note the time of day to determine when it’s repeated. These critters are typically most active at night, which is when you’re most likely to hear them.

3. Droppings and Urine

One of the most frustrating signs you have a mouse? Droppings.

Droppings and urine contaminate your living space. Finding a larger pile of pellets generally means more mice are around.

Mice have no control over where they choose to go to the bathroom, and as such, you’ll find their droppings scattered throughout your home. These little pellets are less than one centimetre in size, commonly found in and around food or nesting spots. Hideaways such as cupboards or spaces under sinks are additional bathroom options.

4. Tracks and Grease Marks

Mice leave behind marks from their bodies rubbing against walls. Their fur leaves behind an oily presence as they move throughout your home and brush up against surfaces. Fresh marks will smear, meaning mice passed by not too long ago. Pay attention to holes or corners, which are easier areas to spot marks.

Mice have very specific traffic patterns. If you think you have a mouse problem, place a thin layer of flour or baby powder in the area you suspect they’re running and look out for track marks.

5. You See One

Spotting a mouse is the clearest indication of new houseguests. Odds are this isn’t a one-off chance or a drive-by in the neighbourhood. The mouse is here to stay. You’re more likely to see mice on a quiet afternoon or at night—times when they think there isn’t anybody around and they can get by unnoticed.

Spotting mice in the home is unfortunately a clear indication you have mice. It’s time to call wildlife removal services to handle the problem.

Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!

awlife

Recent Posts

Signs of Raccoons in the Attic

When you are hearing noises coming from your attic there are only a few species…

5 years ago

The Top 10 Ways to Remove the Smell of Skunk from the House

When skunks get into your house their odor can be quite overwhelming. Removing the unbearable smell…

5 years ago

What Do Mice Sound Like?

Do you think you have mice in your home? Hearing strange sounds at night? The…

5 years ago