'Strong' sign that mice are living in your home and how to get rid of them for good

Dealing with a mouse infestation ranks among the most distressing domestic problems, and understanding proper treatment methods is crucial to prevent recurrence. Offering guidance on their blog, pest specialists at Archers Pest Control explained: "Mice are known to spread many nasty diseases such as Salmonella and Listeria to humans through their urine, faeces, and bedding. As they scurry around, they carry bacteria and dirt with them, transferring them directly to your countertops, cupboards and anywhere else they travel."

Their tendency to gnaw through electrical cables also creates a genuine fire hazard. The challenge lies in mice being nocturnal creatures, making sightings uncommon. Nevertheless, they leave numerous clues suggesting you may be facing a rodent problem. Mouse droppings-dark, grain-shaped pellets-are the primary warning sign.

They are commonly discovered along walls, skirting boards, or openings at ground level.

Furthermore, you may notice bite marks on household items. The Archers Pest Control experts cautioned that a typical indicator of mouse presence involves detecting unusual smells in potential nesting areas.

"Mice have very oily fur so one of the things to look for is smear marks along the walls and skirting boards of your property. Also, keep a nose for any odd odours. Mouse urine and droppings leave behind a very strong scent", they said. It's insufficient to examine only superficial damage.

You should also inspect beneath kitchen or bathroom cabinets and behind appliances such as refrigerators, cookers, and washing machines.

The positive news is that mice will never venture further than 10 to 30 feet from their nest, making targeting hotspots simpler than you might imagine.

How to prevent mice

Mice are notorious for squeezing into the smallest spaces, and specialists highlight that they require as little as a quarter-inch gap to infiltrate a home.

Experts suggest blocking all entry points so fresh mice cannot access your property. Search for fractures in your property's foundation, wall openings, and spaces between your door and floor because mice often slip beneath doors.

Always examine for splits, gaps, or cavities around plumbing and ventilation that mice can utilise to gain entry and ensure windows and doors are shutting correctly.

Inspecting the cavities around plumbing and ventilation. Mice can access holes as tiny as a biro.

With an appetite for human food, rodents are not particular eaters.

To address this, they encourage homeowners to maintain clean homes, store food safely, and consider boxes or live traps for those seeking compassionate solutions.

House Method specialists suggested: "Plastic or metal box traps are designed to catch mice without harming them. Typically, you place a bait, such as peanut butter, in the box trap, set it, and wait for a mouse to be caught."

Once trapped, the mouse must be relocated at least a mile away from your home to prevent it from returning.

This trap is more suitable for the odd mouse that wanders into your home rather than dealing with a large infestation.