How to get rid of mice – I’m a pest expert and these are the MOST effective ways

• How do you effectively get rid of a mice infestation in the house?
• READ MORE: How to get rid of rats in the house – an expert’s step by step guide

Most of us have found mice lurking in our homes at some point – but do you know how you can stop the pesky rodents emerging from the tiny gaps in your walls? 

Pest UK says you have more chance of encountering a mouse than a rat in the London Underground, home to thousands of the common rodents.

The little creatures are more than just a minor inconvenience – their gnawing can even cause major structural damage to your cables and water pipes, a nightmare if you’re renting.

On top of this there’s the added risk of getting a nasty disease from mice droppings – these range from salmonella to more rare but fatal infections like Weil’s disease,

MailOnline spoke to Gareth Davies, founder and managing director of Pest and Property, to get some background on mice removal and why it’s such a faff.

The little creatures are more than just a minor inconvenience – their gnawing can even cause major structural damage to your cables and water pipes, a nightmare if you’re renting (stock image)

The pest control expert stresses how different mice removal is to rat removal because rats are multifeeders. 

Using a Mars bar analogy, Gareth points out: ‘If you were in a warehouse full of Mars bars, mice would take a nibble out of every box but rats would focus their gnawing on one box’.

Gareth, who has worked in the industry for 34 years, explained that ‘Mice can get through gaps as small as the size of a pen’.

Shockingly, he said that rodent teeth are so hard that they rank only one below diamonds on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Their teeth continuously grow – which is why they’re always finding something to gnaw on – and their victims often include unsuspecting furniture and power cables.

Shockingly, he said that rodent teeth are so hard that they rank only one below diamonds on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness (stock image)

Signs of mice presence  

Smith’s Pest Management says there are several ways to notice if the rodents have arrived in your home.

Scratch marks are usually the most obvious indicator – whether they’re unsightly marks on your shelves or on your cupboard foods, but leftover food crumbs are more inconspicuous,

Another crystal clear sign that you’ve a mice infestation is gnawing – mice tend to chew small holes that are only around 1.5″ in diameter.

It’s also important to note that mice droppings are distinctly smaller than their rat counterparts’ – but still maintain the same rectangular shape. Their urine leaves dark stains and a pungent ammonia odour.

And if you spot a mouse nest – which could be made from anything ranging from fabrics, paper or more string-like material, you could be housing a number of mice without even knowing.

READ MORE: Researchers find way of making mice live for 20 PER CENT longer – and they think it could apply to humans

Prevention  

Ultimately, when it comes down to pest control – prevention is always better than cure. 

Smaller than rats, mice only need around 6mm (approximately the diameter of a rubber at the end of a pencil) to gain entry – making human homes a no brainer way in for the pesky rodents.

Search for any access points in your house and take the time to seal these up with wire wool embedded in quick-setting cement for a trusty deterrent. 

Rentokill suggests that you check old pipework holes are sealed too, and that you cover any air bricks and vents with fine galvanised wire mesh to discourage their entry. 

If you’ve got an older property, the door fit may not be so snug, so fit bristle strips at the bottom of your doors

Mouse traps 

While your first instinct may be to pop a mouse trap into the offending area, it’s important to be mindful that you tailor your bait to your mice.

Gareth adds that it’s important we avoid using popular tropes from television as inspiration, like Tom & Jerry. 

 ‘With mouse traps it’s all about what they’re feeding on in the local area – mice in Cardiff (where he is based) may feed on lots of vegetables but in London there are more food options available to them’.

That said, if you choose the correct mice bait for your rodent, you will increase your chances of success.

Gareth stresses that rodenticide should be used as a last resort – nasty smells inside your house are not always worth it when there are other ways to exterminate the rodents.

READ MORE: How to get rid of rats in the house: Expert’s easy seven step guide for rodent free homes 

 

How NOT to eliminate a mice infestation

So if you do find the irritating rodents lurking in your hallways, how do you ensure you don’t waste your time with old wives’ tales? 

While Gareth explained that we shouldn’t take inspiration from Tom & Jerry and immediately implement cheese bait for our mouse traps, there is also no evidence to suggest that neither cats nor cheese deter mice.

Pest control experts don’t deny that a cat may kill a mouse or two, but if you have a well-established mice infestation living in your home, you need to take further action.

Planting mouse-repellent plants is also unreliable – with inconclusive evidence to suggest its effectiveness.

And while essential oils are often touted as a cure for a mice infestation, experts warn that you stay clear of home remedies like peppermint oil and soap.

Source: Read Full Article