.jpg){kind=link}
Fact-checked against 2 sources · Updated 20 September 2026On this page
How to tell you have mice
- Droppings: much smaller and thinner than rat droppings, scattered widely as mice move about, especially in cupboards, along skirting boards and behind appliances.
- Nibbled food and packaging, particularly cereals, bread and pet food.
- Scratching or scurrying in walls, ceilings and lofts, mostly at night. It is lighter and quicker than the heavier thumping of rats.
- Nests made from shredded paper, fabric or insulation in quiet, warm places.
- A stale, musky smell in enclosed spaces where mice have been for some time.
- Grease marks along walls and skirtings on regular routes.
Not sure whether it’s a mouse or a rat? See rats vs mice. The BPCA’s comparison shows that an adult house mouse weighs under 25g, is about 6–9cm long without the tail, and has big eyes, large thinly haired ears and a tail about as long as its body.
How mice get into a home
Mice can use much smaller gaps than rats, so a house that is “rat-proof” may not be mouse-proof. They commonly enter through:
- gaps around pipes and cables where they pass through walls;
- airbricks and vents with damaged or missing mesh;
- gaps under external doors and around garage and shed doors;
- cracks in brickwork and where the roof meets the wall;
- on delivered goods, boxes and stored items brought into the home.
What proper mouse control involves
- Inspection. A technician looks for droppings, gnawing, nests and entry points, and works out how many mice there are and where they travel.
- Treatment matched to the situation. This often means multiple snap traps or secured stations positioned along runs, checked regularly, with bait used carefully and only where appropriate.
- Follow-up visits to confirm activity has stopped and to adjust the plan if it hasn’t.
- Proofing. Sealing entry points with materials mice can’t chew through. See rat proofing, which covers mice too.
- Hygiene advice: food storage, waste and clutter, so mice have no reason to return.
The HSE explains that rodenticides available to the public are restricted (for example in strength, pack size and sometimes to use inside a bait box), while professionals must follow the UK rodenticide stewardship regime. Where possible, a good technician starts with proofing and trapping. See our guide to rat poison for the safety points, which also apply to mouse bait.
What you can do yourself
- Store dry food, pet food and bird seed in sealed metal or thick plastic containers.
- Clear crumbs, and don’t leave food out overnight.
- Reduce clutter in cupboards, lofts, garages and under stairs, where mice nest.
- Check and seal gaps around pipes and doors, using wire wool pressed into a gap and sealed in with filler, or a metal kick plate on doors.
- Don’t leave loose poison where children or pets can reach it.
Mouse control questions
Can I get rid of mice myself?
A single mouse can sometimes be dealt with using traps, but a real infestation usually needs a proper inspection and proofing, otherwise new mice arrive as soon as the first ones are removed.
Are mice in the loft the same as mice in the kitchen?
They can be the same population, but a technician needs to find where they enter and where they nest. Loft nests often mean the kitchen droppings are only part of the picture.
Is mouse control cheaper than rat control?
It depends on the size of the problem and how many visits are needed. The technician agrees a price with you before starting; see our cost guide for what affects price.
How do I keep mice out for good?
Seal entry points, keep food in sealed containers, reduce clutter, and keep bins and compost secured. Regular checks in autumn help, because mice look for warmth as the weather cools.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on 20 September 2026. Laws, prices and council services change, so check the current position before relying on them.
This site connects households and businesses in the Newark-on-Trent area with an independent local rat-control technician. We are not the servicing contractor and do not carry out treatment ourselves. See our terms & disclosure.