Mice

Getting rid of mice

We are not able to carry out treatment for mice outdoors as that is their natural habitat. However, if you see a mouse in your garden and you feed the birds, stop feeding straight away as this will encourage the mouse into your garden.

If you have mice indoors we can carry out treatment.

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What do they look like?

The mouse found commonly in buildings is the house mouse. The fur colour varies between light brown and grey.  Body length varies between 60-90mm and the tail can add an additional 100mm.  Often the droppings found are black, rod-shaped and 3-6mm long.

Where do they live?

The house mouse can be found in a wide range of urban and rural buildings, although it may live for part of the year outdoors. Mice live in nests, which are often built inside houses, especially during the winter. Nests are built wherever there is access to a source of food. Spaces under the floor and lofts are favoured places for nests, which are built out of cloth, wool and paper.

Mouse holes are normally 20-30mm in diameter. Mice are mainly active at night and can be heard running about as they search for food.

Mice can squeeze through cracks as small as 5mm.

What do they eat?

Their favourite foods are cereal products, although they will eat almost anything. Most of the damage they do is by gnawing and ripping open packets. They also foul food with urine and droppings. Mice will gnaw their way through wood to get to sources of food.

Why are they pests?

Mice numbers need to be controlled because:

• They eat and can contaminate all types of food.

• They can damage and destroy property

• They carry diseases that are hazardous to both humans and animals. Diseases include typhus, trichinosis, and Weils disease.

How can I tell whether my house is infested with mice?

Signs of a mouse infestation can include the presence of droppings, footprints in damp soil or dust, and burrows in the ground. Indications of an infestation can include signs of gnawing. They can also be noisy at night.

How can I get rid of mice?

It is important to get rid of mice quickly before they damage pipe cables and insulation.

Newcastle City Council provides a pest control service for the treatment of mice when they are in your home or business premises. 

We will carry out up to 3 treatments. We assess the infestation and will put down poison or traps where necessary. Please note treatment takes effect gradually. It can take between 4 and 7 days for poison to work.

Whilst on site the technician will try and identify the cause and possible entry points – such as holes or broken drains.  However it is not Pest Controls’ responsibility to repair things like holes or broken drains. Please note that our staff will not carry out any building work such as joinery. They are not able to fill holes in walls or gardens, or do things like remove kitchen units or decking, or replace missing roof tiles.

Other infestations may take longer to eradicate and need an additional visit which would incur a further charge. This would be at the discretion of the technician. The pest control operative will tell you what has been done.

If you do attempt treatment yourself, when using pesticides always follow the instructions on the label.

How can I prevent an infestation?

Accumulations of waste materials and rubbish can attract rodents and makes a warm home. Ensure all waste - especially food waste - is disposed of promptly and appropriately. Food waste should be bagged and tied, and food left out should be covered or in sealed containers. Compost bins should also be secure.

Stored materials should ideally be at least 18 inches off the ground to make access harder and identification of an infestation easier. Products should also be kept away from walls.