The Spruce / Lara Antal
Get rid of mice in your walls immediately because they can damage your home.
The scurrying sounds are irritating, but the destruction of wires can also be a fire risk.
How to Identify Mice
Mice are small rodents with gray or brown fur.
The Spruce / Lara Antal
They have pointy noses, long tails, and large ears.
Rats will enter a home or building for the same reasons.
However, house mice are 10 to 20 times more common than rat infestations.
A mouse eating seeds on a stone pathwayKerry Hargrove
Mice vs.
Rats
Rodents enter homesthrough small openings, such as wall gaps or floor cracks.
You likely have rodents if you’re hearing scurrying sounds around the dark.
Two rats eating crumbsAlexander W Helin
It can be easy to confuse activity in the walls for mice when it is rats or other wildlife.
A pest control expert is the best option for eliminating a rat problem.
Consider using glue traps if you are dealing with a severe mouse issue.
If you prefer to catch mice more humanely, you’re free to create a drop trap.
Eliminate Food and Water Sources
Mice are attracted to a wide array of food sources.
They are opportunistic feeders, which means they will eat just about anything they can find.
Also, consider possible water sources that could draw mice into your home.
Once mice access a building, they canquickly build a nestand start breeding.
Mice crawl through gaps in the walls, under the siding, and around the foundation.
Seal any cracks or holes around the exterior of your home.
Inspect the vents around your home, especially the crawlspace and attic vents.
Use a flashlight to look for any damage to the vents.
They can also enter through the garage.
Ensure your garage door sweeps are free of gaps and holes; they should seal tightly against the ground.
Instead, fill holes tightly with steel wool or fasten wire mesh patches over entry points using screws.
verify the gaps in your mesh are small enough that mice can’t fit through1/4-inch should do the trick.
Wear thick gloves when working with steel wool to protect your hands from its abrasiveness.
Mice can also get into homes using the surrounding vegetation.
They like to use dense vegetation as cover and will use plants to climb up to access your home.
Mice will avoid homes that are treated with it.
Other smells mice detest include crushed pepper flakes, cinnamon, citronella, and vinegar.
What Causes Mice in Walls?
Mice are in the walls mainly because they have found a way in from the outside.
Your home is attractive because it’s weatherproof, and you likely have food and water.
Stop them from accessing the house.
When baits are improperly placed, they threaten the local animal populations.
It’s best to leave rats to the experts.
When shopping for pest control, look for a local company specializing in integrated pest management (IPM).
Mice have sensitive noses and strongly dislike the smell of peppermint oil, cinnamon, and citronella.
Also, cleaning supplies containing bleach, ammonia, and vinegar are strong smells that mice detest.
Dead mice in walls may cause an odor as they naturally decompose.
The smell usually dissipates within two weeks, so some people opt for home deodorizers.
In most cases, breaking launch the walls to dispose of the carcass is costly and not feasible.
Use baits or traps with strong-smelling peanut butter to lure mice out of the walls.
Rodent Management, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Rodents, Washington State Department of Health
House mouse.
University of California IPM.
University of Missouri Extension.
