Mice in Walls - Signs of a Mouse Infestation

Homeowners with the misfortune of dealing with rodent problems are stuck trying to figure out what type of rodent it is, where they may be entering the house, and what spaces they're occupying. The sounds and signs of mice in walls can be disconcerting especially if you've never dealt with rodents before. Chances are, if you see or hear one mouse, there are likely several others in the area as well. Anywhere that they have warm shelter, adequate food and water, they will reproduce - and reproduce rapidly! Realizing that they're there is the first step to figuring out how to get rid of house mice.

Signs and Sounds

Evidence of mice in the house include:

• Sounds are often the first sign that homeowners have that there may be mice in the house. Scurrying sounds, squeaks, or the sounds of gnawing are pretty typical.

• Sometimes smudge marks can be seen along walls, where mice brush up against the wall while traveling (the smudges are from the dirt and oil in their fur).

• Teeth or gnaw marks might be seen as well, along with droppings or urine.

• Sometimes foot prints or tail drag marks are seen in dusty or dirty areas.

Confirming the Presence of House Mice

If mice are suspected, you can put down some flour in the area where you think they may be traveling. Footprints and tail drag marks can be easily seen if they pass through the flour.

Watch pets, too - domestic pets like cats and dogs sometimes become more agitated when there are mice in the walls - a cat or dog's hearing is so much better than a human's that they can hear mice moving around much more easily than we can.

Taking Action

Take immediate action if an inspection of the home shows evidence that there are mice. Mice are such prolific breeders that the population can balloon out of control very quickly. The larger the population of mice in the house, the larger the amount of damage and contamination that can occur... and ultimately, more time, money, and stress is going to be involved in getting the problem under control.

Traps and repellent can be used by homeowners seeking to save some money ... but if the mouse population is too large, exterminators may need to be called to help. Humane pest control methods are also more effective with a smaller population that hasn't yet gotten out of hand.

Mice in walls don't just stay in the walls - they will be out and about foraging for food, water, and nesting materials. Even though homeowners may only hear them when they're inside the walls, mice will likely be in the kitchen and other living spaces too. It's best to act quickly to prevent the problem from getting worse.