House Mouse

The House Mouse is one of the most widely distributed and successful mammals in the world. 95% of all rodent activity in domestic dwellings is mice, not rats. Mice do not have bladders so they urinate anywhere at any time. They contaminate food and work surfaces transferring diseases and parasites to humans. They are frequently the source of fleas, lice and mites found in dwellings and workplaces. Mice do not need to drink water; they can squeeze through a gap the width of a pencil; are inquisitive; mainly active at night; are extremely agile and pretty much rely on humans for their entire existence. Fortunately, they are easily trapped.

How to Prevent Entry

The objective is to prevent mice getting into your house, however, this simple sounding task can be difficult or even impossible to achieve, especially with old buildings.

If you have mice in your house, they are probably living, nesting, breeding and eating inside your house. So, you need to eliminate them but you also should to try and prevent others getting in next year.

You should very carefully and thoroughly search all aspects of your house for potential access points. Go round several times and from different directions. Mice can gain access through holes as small as 1 cm (1/4 inch), but usually they quickly open holes to about 2 cm (1/2 inch). If you can push a biro pen into the gap, then you know a mouse can get through. If mice are using the hole regularly it will probably have a used look about it: clear of cobwebs, dust, leaves etc. Mice like to be able to move quickly and easily around their territory.

Here are some tips to help keep mice out:

Remove all rubbish from around the house, sheds, garage etc. Mice feel vulnerable in open spaces so get rid of any places they can shelter

Keep any vegetation around the building short and tidy. Mice like to use ivy and creepers to access the eaves and roof where they may be able to gain entry to the loft. They are very good climbers.

Ensure no food is stored to where mice can get access, inside, outside or in sheds and out-houses

Repair broken slates or roof tiles. Pay particular attention to areas where mortar is broken

Repair holes in the eaves and search for areas where timber may be rotten or insecure

Seal holes around pipes and cables going into the house

Make sure ventilation grates are not broken

Make sure windows and door fit tightly and are not damaged

Seal gaps beneath the garage door

Look for holes in the earth around the base of the building as mice sometimes gain access to the foundations and then into the cavity walls

Having said all that, it is very difficult to keep a determined mouse out of your building.

This is what mice need to survive; make sure you deprive them of both these elements and you should never again have a problem:

Shelter, to make nests, raise young and hide from predators so make sure your yard and garden is tidy

Food, of just about any description so keep all potential mouse food in sealed steel containers. Mice gain most of their moisture requirements from their food and do not need regular access to water in the way rats do

We provide a number of products to help you mouse proof your house. It is far cheaper to make sure mice never again get into your house or buildings than it is to try to eliminate them every year.

Here are some products to help you stop mice entering your building:

Expanding foam, ideal for filling gaps around pipes, cables, under roof tiles etc. Simply spray the foam into the cavity, allow to dry and then trim the excess level with a sharp knife

Wire wool, can be used in conjunction with the foam but be sure to wear disposable gloves as the foam is very sticky and the action of pushing the wire wool into the wet foam is messy

Wire mesh, for fixing over broken air vents and larger holes

House Mouse

How to Prevent Entry

Prevention is better and cheaper than cure