Scratching in the loft. Small droppings in kitchen cupboards. A mouse running behind an appliance late in the evening.
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is: it is only a mouse.
Mice can contaminate food, cupboards and appliances with droppings, urine and hairs. They can damage packaging, insulation and cables. The noise in a loft at night can also be far louder than people expect.
Mice are not small rats. They behave differently and often need a different approach.
Tell us what you have noticed and where the activity is. We will explain the most sensible next step. Prices are plus VAT.
What have you noticed?
Common signs include:
- Scratching in lofts, ceilings or wall cavities
- Small droppings in kitchen cupboards, under sinks or around appliances
- A mouse running behind a cooker, fridge or dishwasher
- Damaged food packaging or gnawed containers
- Pet food being disturbed
- A stale or musky smell
- Activity mainly after dark
Mice can make surprisingly loud noises in a loft or ceiling, especially at night. Noise alone cannot confirm whether the animal is a mouse or a rat.
House mice often leave droppings throughout the areas they use, but droppings alone should not be used to confirm the species.
House mice at a glance: much smaller than rats, pointed snout, large ears for their size, excellent climbers, and able to use very small gaps. They usually live close to food.
You do not need to confirm the species before contacting us.
Why is it happening?
Mice enter for shelter, food and cover. They need very little of any of them.
A small gap around pipework, an unsealed service entry or a defect in the building may be enough. Once inside, crumbs, pet food, stored food or bird seed can support a population.
House mice can often get enough moisture from their food. They do not always need a separate water source.
House mice are generally more inquisitive than brown rats and may investigate new objects sooner. However, individual mice can still avoid unfamiliar traps, bait boxes or food.
In terraced and semi-detached houses, mice can move between properties through shared voids, cavity walls and service routes. That is one reason a single kitchen sighting can be part of a wider problem.
How Guardian approaches a mouse problem
Seeing one mouse does not mean there is only one mouse. The animal in the kitchen may be using a loft, a wall void, a floor void or a neighbouring property.
Other species, including wood mice and field mice, may occasionally enter buildings. We consider the likely species before deciding what control, if any, is appropriate.
We start by asking where they are now, how they are getting in, what is supporting them, and how large the population is likely to be.
Our approach follows three practical stages.
1. Exclude
The long-term aim is to stop mice getting in. We identify and seal what we can.
We cannot always close every route on the first visit, especially where properties share voids or service runs. We will be honest about what proofing can achieve.
2. Restrict
We look at what is supporting the infestation: food, storage, waste and harbourage.
3. Control
In a house we use traps first where that will work. Poison can mean an animal dying out of reach in a wall, loft or appliance void.
If rodenticide is needed for a confirmed house mouse problem, we carry out an environmental risk assessment and follow current responsible rodenticide use. We do not treat rodenticide as the automatic first step in a home.
On commercial sites the method depends on the premises, the risk and any audit or food safety requirements.
There is no single method that fits every mouse job.
What happens when we visit?
The first visit is about understanding the infestation: the likely extent of activity, entry points, food sources, harbourage, nesting evidence, proofing defects and the most suitable control method. The technician will explain the findings and, where appropriate, begin treatment during this visit.
After the visit you will receive a report explaining what was found, what was done and any recommendations. Domestic customers and one-off jobs receive an electronic report. Planned commercial contracts normally receive electronic visit reports together with the agreed site records or pest management folder.
Will one visit be enough?
Guardian’s standard domestic mouse treatment normally consists of three visits.
Initial visit
We inspect the property, assess the likely extent of the problem and begin the most appropriate treatment. This may involve traps, rodenticide or a combination of both, although in a home we normally use traps first where that will work.
First follow-up visit
We normally return after about eight to ten days. We recheck the activity and control points, remove any dead mice that are accessible and can be recovered safely, reset or rebait traps, move them where necessary and reassess the treatment.
Second follow-up visit
A further visit normally takes place about eight to ten days later. We check the progress again, remove any dead mice that are accessible and can be recovered safely, make any final recommendations and remove the traps and other temporary control equipment that can be recovered.
Many straightforward mouse problems are resolved by this stage. If activity remains because of the size of the infestation, the construction of the building, neighbouring properties, access problems or outstanding proofing, we will explain what further work is needed.
We do not guarantee that mice will never return.
Commercial considerations
Mice matter in food production, commercial kitchens, hospitality, care settings, warehouses and retail.
A single mouse can create hygiene issues, customer complaints and audit problems. Monitoring, proofing and early action are usually better than waiting for a small problem to spread.
Commercial work can normally be discussed over the phone. Prices are plus VAT.
Frequently asked questions
Are mice just small rats?
No. They behave differently and often need a different control approach.
Do mice need a water source?
Not necessarily. House mice can often get enough moisture from their food.
I only saw one mouse. Is that good news?
Not always. One of the most common mistakes is underestimating the size of the population.
Why are there droppings everywhere?
House mice often leave droppings throughout the areas they use rather than in one pile.
How should I clean up mouse droppings?
Do not sweep or vacuum dry droppings, urine or nesting material because this can put contaminated dust into the air. Wear household gloves, dampen the area with a suitable disinfectant and use a damp cloth or disposable wipe. Bag the waste, clean reusable gloves and wash your hands afterwards. If the contamination is extensive or in insulation or another difficult area, speak to us before disturbing it.
Are mice dangerous?
Mice can contaminate food and food preparation areas with urine, droppings and hairs. They are associated with several diseases. That is why the problem should be taken seriously.
Can mice fit through tiny gaps?
Yes. A small defect can be enough for a mouse to enter.
Do you use poison first in a house?
No. In a house we use traps first where that will work. Rodenticide is used only where it is justified after an environmental risk assessment.
Tell us what you have noticed
Tell us where you are hearing activity, where droppings have been found, whether you have seen mice and how long it has been happening.
Photographs of droppings, damage or suspected entry points can help.
We will explain the most sensible next step.
