DIY Methods to Get Rid of Mice
Spring-Loaded Mouse Traps
Classic spring traps are cheap, reusable, and highly effective. Set them along walls where you have seen droppings, with the trigger end touching the skirting board. Use peanut butter or chocolate as bait. Place multiple traps 2–3 metres apart for best results.
Humane Live-Catch Traps
If you prefer not to kill mice, live-catch traps allow you to relocate them. Bait the trap with food and check it at least every 12 hours to avoid causing unnecessary suffering. Release mice at least 2 miles from your property to prevent them returning.
Poison Bait Stations
Mouse-specific bait stations containing anticoagulant bait are available from hardware stores. Always use tamper-proof stations to protect pets and children. Place stations along walls and check them regularly. Dispose of dead mice wearing gloves and in sealed bags.
Seal All Entry Points
Mice can fit through any gap their skull can pass through — roughly the width of a pencil. Seal gaps around pipes, cables, vents, and door frames with wire wool and caulk. Pay close attention to areas where utility services enter the building.
Professional Mice Control
If traps are catching mice night after night without the problem decreasing, you likely have a larger infestation than DIY methods can handle. Mice breed so quickly that a few individuals can become dozens in just weeks.
A professional pest controller will carry out a full inspection of your property, checking inside wall cavities, behind fitted kitchens, around boiler flues, and in loft spaces — areas that are easy to miss during a DIY effort. They apply professional-strength rodenticides in secure bait stations and use a combination of trapping methods tailored to your specific layout.
The most important part of professional mouse control is proofing. Your technician will identify and seal every entry point using rodent-proof materials, ensuring mice cannot re-enter once the current population has been eliminated. This comprehensive approach is what delivers lasting results.
Need professional mice control? BuzzKill Pest Control offers fast, effective treatment with no call-out charge.
How to Prevent Mice
Store Food Properly
Keep all dry food in glass or metal containers with tight-fitting lids. Clean up crumbs and spills straight away, and never leave food sitting out on worktops overnight.
Declutter Storage Areas
Mice love to nest in rarely disturbed spaces. Regularly sort through boxes in lofts, garages, and under-stairs cupboards. Use plastic storage containers rather than cardboard boxes.
Maintain Your Property
Fix damaged air bricks, replace worn door sweeps, and repair holes in external walls. Check the roofline for gaps and ensure fascia boards are secure. An annual property check can catch new vulnerabilities early.
Keep Gardens Clean
Do not leave fallen fruit, bird seed, or pet food accessible in the garden. Move wood piles away from the house and trim vegetation growing against walls that could provide cover for mice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many mice is considered an infestation?
If you are seeing a mouse regularly or finding fresh droppings in multiple locations, you almost certainly have more than one. Mice are social animals and where there is one, there are usually many more hiding out of sight. Even a single sighting warrants investigation.
Can mice climb walls?
Yes. Mice are excellent climbers and can scale rough vertical surfaces including brick walls, cavity walls, and textured plaster. They can also jump up to 25 cm vertically, which allows them to access worktops and shelves with ease.
Do mice come out during the day?
Mice are primarily nocturnal, but sightings during the day can indicate a large infestation where competition for food forces some mice to forage in daylight. Daytime activity is a sign you should take action immediately.
Are mice attracted to clean houses?
Mice are attracted to warmth, shelter, and food — not dirt. Even very clean homes can attract mice if there are accessible entry points and any food source, no matter how small. Good housekeeping reduces the risk but does not eliminate it entirely.
How much does professional mouse control cost?
Professional mouse control in the UK typically ranges from £95 to £200 depending on the size of the infestation and the number of follow-up visits required. BuzzKill Pest Control offers transparent pricing with no hidden call-out fees.