7 Signs you have a mouse infestation and what to do next

Signs of mice in your home

Not every mouse infestation looks the same, but there are clear warning signs to watch for. Learning to spot early mouse infestation signs can help you take action before the problem gets worse.

1. Mouse droppings

Usually, droppings are the most easily identifiable sign of mice in any home. Mice produce a lot of droppings throughout the day, and they're usually found along walls, in cupboards, or under sinks. They are about the size of a grain of rice, pointed at one or both ends, and typically brown to black in color. The average length of a house mouse’s droppings is one-quarter of an inch.

2. Dirty smudges

Look for dirty smudges on floors or baseboards. Mice tend to run alongside walls as they don’t have great eyesight, and they tend to stick to the same route. too. Over time, the increased contact from their fur and body along the same stretch of wall leads to distinctive marks. You might also notice small patches of urine along the same route.

3. Distinctive smell

Noticed a funny smell recently? The presence of mice may also be established through a distinctive ammonia-like smell (very strong urine smell) that will be particularly obvious in more enclosed areas, such as in cupboards. The smell helps mice orient themselves inside a home as it is often stronger along established routes and acts as a marker for their territory.

4. Mouse damage

Mouse problems go beyond the occasional noise or droppings. A house mouse infestation can be dangerous and cause damage to your home and personal belongings.

Mice need to gnaw constantly to manage their teeth, which never stop growing. This can lead to chewed wires, creating a fire risk, or damaged wood, insulation, and plastic around your home. They may also tear into stored food, leaving behind contamination from their urine, fur, and droppings. This can increase the chance of illness and food waste.

Because they make multiple visits to food sources every day and are drawn to high-fat items like sweets and meats, mice can quickly become a widespread issue throughout your kitchen or pantry.

5. Scratching noises

Listen out for unusual or unfamiliar noises, especially at night when mice are most active. You may hear scratching noises in the walls or noises coming from the ceilings above your head as mice scurry around. You might also hear them squeaking or gnawing.

6. Mouse nests

Keep an eye out for nests. Mice build nests with shredded material such as newspaper and fabrics. Nests tend to be in hidden places such as behind fridges, voids in walls, ceilings, cabinets, storage boxes, etc., and relatively close to food sources. Nests will often contain young mice.

7. Live or dead mice

Spotting live mice during the daytime can be an indicator of a serious mouse infestation. As mice are usually active at night, daytime activity may mean there are too many for them all to hide, which is one of the key signs of a bad mouse infestation.

Where to check for signs of mice

Where in your home or business should you start to look for the signs of mice and the damage they can cause? Mice are agile creatures, able to use their flexible skeletons to squeeze into the tiniest spaces, so you need to be detailed and check your 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:

• Attics and lofts: Mice will shred soft materials like insulation, paper, cardboard, and any fabrics you may have stored away (from wool scarves to lace tablecloths) to use to line their nests in attics. A quick way to tell if mice are present is to check for scattered mouse droppings and an ammonia-like smell. This can be quite strong in a confined space.
• Kitchens and laundry rooms: Check behind all appliances, as mice can easily squeeze into gaps behind refrigerators and freezers or under the base of an oven. Any areas where pipework or cabling enters through walls from the outside offer mice a chance to sneak in, so check behind the washing machine too.
• Basements and cellars: These spaces are usually the haunt of spiders, but mice can gain entry to lower floors through bricks and vents, especially if they are damaged.
• Cavity walls: Check other hidden spaces such as suspended ceilings, crawlspaces, and even cupboards. Mice will make use of these places because they are secure and protected locations that often go unnoticed.

Worried about a mice infestation?

If you've noticed signs of mice or suspect a mouse infestation in your home, now is the time to act. Left untreated, mice in the house can cause damage, contaminate food, and lead to health concerns.

Ehrlich offers expert rodent control services designed to target the source of the problem. Our trained technicians will assess the situation, locate entry points, and help develop a plan to reduce and control the infestation.

To stay ahead of future issues, consider enrolling in our PestFree365+ plan. It helps protect your home year-round from mouse problems and other common pests.¹

Call Ehrlich at 800-837-5520 to schedule your free inspection today.