Pest Control
On this page
The surest way to deal with mice is to stop them getting in. Mice look for three things in a building: a way in, food and somewhere sheltered to nest. Take those away and most homes become a poor prospect for a mouse.
Close the way in
A house mouse can get through a gap of around 6mm, roughly the width of a pencil. Walk round the outside of the house and look low down as well as high up. Common entry points include:
- gaps around pipes, cables and waste outlets where they pass through the wall
- gaps under external doors, and worn or missing door seals
- air bricks and vents without fine mesh
- gaps around boiler flues and extractor ducts
- cracked render, damaged brickwork and gaps where extensions meet the original house
- gaps at the eaves, under roof tiles and behind loose soffits and fascias
- garages and lean-tos that share a wall or ceiling void with the house
An entry point low down can still lead to mice in the loft, because mice climb inside cavity walls and service voids. Our guide on how mice get into lofts goes into those routes in more detail.
Use materials mice cannot chew
Mice gnaw through wood, plastic, foam filler and sealant with little trouble. For lasting proofing:
- Wire wool set in mortar or quick-setting cement for holes in masonry, especially around pipes.
- Galvanised metal mesh over air bricks and vents. Ventilation must keep working, so fit fine mesh rather than blocking the opening.
- Brush strips or metal kick plates on the bottoms of external doors.
- Metal plates or escutcheons around larger service penetrations.
If you already have mice inside, deal with them before sealing everything up. Proofing first can trap them in the house with no way out.
Take away the food
- Store cereals, grains, flour, biscuits and snacks in sealed glass, metal or rigid plastic containers. Mice chew straight through paper and thin plastic packaging, and sealed containers also hold in the smell.
- Wipe up crumbs and spills, especially under appliances and behind the cooker.
- Pick up pet food bowls after meals rather than leaving food down overnight, and store bulk pet food and bird seed in metal bins.
- Use kitchen bins with close-fitting lids, and keep outdoor bins and recycling closed and a short distance from the house. Rinse food tins and jars before they go in the recycling.
Take away the shelter
- Keep lofts, garages, sheds and under-stairs cupboards tidy. Piles of cardboard, paper and old fabric make ideal nesting material. Plastic storage boxes with lids are better than cardboard.
- Cut back shrubs, ivy and climbing plants from the walls, as they give cover and a climbing route.
- Move log piles, compost and garden waste away from the house.
- Fix leaking pipes and damp, which provide water and soften building materials.
Keep an eye out
Check cupboards, the loft and the garage every few weeks through autumn and winter, when mice are most likely to come in. Look for droppings, gnawed packaging and shredded nesting material. Early signs are far easier to deal with than an established population. Our guide to signs of mice in the house lists what to look for.
A cat may catch the odd mouse, but it will not stop mice getting in, and it does nothing about the gap they used.
When to call us
If you have already seen signs of mice, or you have sealed the obvious gaps and they are still getting in, we can survey the building, find the routes you cannot see and proof them as part of the treatment. Our mouse control page explains how it works, or call 01926 632 929.