Mice in the Walls: Effective Strategies for a Mouse-Free Home

Is there an unwanted house guest in your walls? Even though they are unwanted, it’s not uncommon for mice to find their way into your home. Let’s reclaim your home by learning how to get rid of mice and prevent them from coming back.

Why Do Mice Get Into the Walls?

Mice can squeeze through cracks as small as ¼ inch (about the width of a pencil) in your property’s foundation, as well as gaps around your windows, doors, and pipes, some of which may be as wide as half an inch. The warmth and protection of the inside of your home’s walls, which usually have cavities between 3½ and 5½ inches deep, make them an ideal nesting spot. After all, your walls are as warm, comfortable, and full of food to them as your home is to you! Mice don’t only hide or live in your walls—they are also happy in secluded hiding spots like the attic and basement, behind appliances and furniture, and in your backyard.

Identifying a Mouse Infestation

The first step in getting rid of mice is to learn the signs of an infestation. The earlier you spot the signs, the easier it is to evict your unwanted guests. Thoroughly investigate spaces where they may be hiding by using all of your senses.

• Nests or scattered nesting materials such as shredded paper, fabric, pet hair, or other soft materials
• Gnaw or teeth marks on your food containers, wooden furniture, and cables
• Small, dark droppings—UV light makes urine trials visible—in places like kitchen cabinets and pantries or along baseboards, walls, and doorways
• Unusual musky smells are left behind by rodent urine and body odors.
• Scratching or scurrying sounds in your walls, ceilings, or floors, especially at night

If you do identify a mouse in your home, you need to act quickly! A mouse’s gestation period is only 21 days, and females can start to mate immediately after giving birth. With an average lifespan of about a year in the wild and up to three years indoors, a single female mouse can give birth between five and ten litters a year. That’s three to 14 pups per litter! Since these offspring reach maturity in just six weeks, a pair of mice can quickly grow into dozens within a few months and hundreds in a year. It won’t take long for a small infestation to become a big problem!

How to Get Rid of A Mouse in the House

Once you suspect or have identified an infestation, it’s time to learn how to get rid of mice in your house. Since you know they will eventually emerge from the walls to look for food at night, you have several options for taps, baits, and other effective methods.

Snap traps

Traditional snap traps make for a quick, effective solution to your mouse problem. If you use a snap trap, place it where the mouse is sure to go but still out of reach to protect curious children or pets.

Live-catch traps:

A live-catch mouse trap is a humane option. These traps will catch the mouse but not kill it. When using this trap, release the mouse far away from your home, or your uninvited friend will promptly find its way back inside.

Baits

No matter what trap you use to get rid of mice, you’ll need some type of bait to attract the rodent to your trap. You can use foods such as peanut butter, cheese, bacon, or chocolate.

Noise

To kick out your uninvited guests, consider using sounds that make them uncomfortable. High-pitch noises or vibrations can send them scurrying away.

Rodenticides

Since this type of bait needs to be handled with care, avoid using it where your children, pets, or other wildlife could come in contact with it.

Professional pest control

If you don’t want to handle traps or baits, consider hiring professional pest control services. Thanks to their extensive experience, trusted service professionals will know exactly how to get rid of a mouse and can even help you with securing your property to avoid future pests.

How to Mice-Proof Your House

You don’t have to wait for mice to move in. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, there are a lot of ways to mice-proof your home before they become your housemates.

DIY Solutions

You can take simple DIY actions to mice-proof your home:

• Keep all of your food (including pet food!) stored in food-safe containers that lock in smells.
• Clean food and crumbs off counters, especially overnight.
• Dispose of trash and unwanted food in locked trash cans.
• Reduce clutter inside and outside of your home to reduce the number of hiding spots for mice and other pests.
• Remove any potential nesting materials, such as cardboard, shredded paper, and cotton balls.
• Close up holes or cracks in your walls or foundation that mice and other pests could squeeze through.
• Keep your yard clean and well-maintained so as not to attract rodents.
• Inspect your home for signs of an infestation regularly.
• Use ultrasonic pest repellers in areas mice might be attracted to.

Advanced Mice-Proofing Solutions

Some home improvements may need to go beyond basic prevention and provide extra protection against mice. While some of these methods may require a professional, they can be effective in keeping mice out long-term.

• Install rodent-proof door sweeps to block common entry points under the doors.
• Seal entry points with durable materials like steel wool, metal mesh, or caulk to prevent mice from chewing through.
• Upgrade insulation with pest-resistant materials to make wall cavities less inviting to mice.
• Consider advanced pest monitoring systems, which help detect mice activity early.
• Install chimney caps and vent covers to keep mice from sneaking in through less obvious entry points.

Get a Free Quote for Expert Mice Control Services Today!

If your DIY methods fail or you don’t feel up to chasing these furry invaders out of your house yourself, you can always call in a professional to do the job! Your locally owned and operated Mosquito Joe^® knows how to get rid of a mouse in your house. Plus, our pest control services are backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise^® and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rest assured that we know exactly how to get rid of mice!

If a mouse or two has overstayed their welcome in your home, it’s time to call the professionals. Request a free quote today and get ready to say goodbye to those pesky pests!

This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mosquito Joe for more information and a professional on-site assessment.