If you think you have a mice in your property, it is unlikely to be alone. Mice can spread serious diseases that can effect people and other animals. They can cause significant damage to property from their constant chewing of wires, plumbing, timbers and other materials. Their droppings and urine can contaminate food items and create a serious health hazard. 

Mice reproduce quickly, and so it is important to take action quickly to prevent a minor infestation becoming a more significant problem that is more difficult to eradicate. If you think you have a problem with mice in your property, contact us today.

Common mice Species

Common Pest Mouse Species
There are two species of mice in the UK that are relevant for pest management;

1. House Mouse (Mus musculus) – This is the most common species. With small eyes and brown/grey fur and large ears. House mice are found in rural and urban areas and can adapt to live in a range of different environments.
2. Field Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) – Also known as a wood mouse, they are common in woodlands, field and gardens. They have brown fur with white bellies.

Both species can both cause damage, spread disease and contaminate food sources. It is important to take measures to prevent serious infestations. Critically, rodenticide sold in the UK as not authorised for use on field mice. Using shop bought mouse poison to control field mice would be illegal.

How to get rid of Mice

Fully clearing a problem with mice can be challenging. Like rats, mice have evolved to be very successful commensal rodent, living beside humans in both urban and rural environments.

Getting rid of mice can require a combined approach of various methods, some only available to professional pest controllers. Methods may include;

• Proofing – prevent rodent access to the property.
• Denial of food and water – Include kitchen scraps, bird feeders, areas of standing water, etc.
• Removal of harbourage – Untidy areas with lots of unnecessary debris can provide cover and security for rats.
• Trapping – including live catch and kill traps, being mindful of both the welfare of the mice, current legislation, and the risk to none target species.
• Chemical control – using including the use of anticoagulant rodenticide (poison), while following CRRU UK codes of best practice.

Every situation is different, which is where our experience team can produce a treatment plan that effectively removes any mouse problem, and also reduces the risk of the problem re-occurring in the future. We will ensure any action taking is, effective, legal, humane and safety to people, pets, and other wildlife.

How to deter mice

Prevention is always better than a cure. Unfortunately, there are many products on the market that claim to deter mice, but we have found little evidence that they work.

Ultrasonic deterrents claim to deter mice, other mammals, birds and insects. We often find they are not effective and at best provide only a temporary disturbance to the pest activity. Home remedies also, such as peppermint, citrus oil, hot pepper (the list is endless), we see used frequently with little effect.

There are a few practical steps you can take however to help reduce the attractiveness of your property to mice;

• Remove food sources – This can be anything from bird feeders in the garden, kitchen scraps in compost piles, or left out pet food. Keeping all food away from rodents will greatly reduce attractiveness to mice.
• Removal water sources – leaking plumbing, broken drain covers, bird baths are just a few examples. Mice can gain enough water from their food if the moisture level is sufficient, but removal of additional water sources can reduce their chances of staying in an area.
• Removal shelter –  keeping an area clean and tidy without any unnecessary debris can make an area less attractive to mice. Cover helps rats create secure nesting areas, and move around protected from predators.
• Keep your property in a good state of repair – pests can often gain access when buildings fall into disrepair. A broken roof tile, hole in brickwork, a poorly fitted door, all are potential entry points that may one day be exploited by a pest.

Is rodenticide (poison) safe to use around dogs and cats?

A professional and competent pest controller would always take into account the risk to none target pets and animals when designing a treatment plan for mice.

In some cases, the use of rodenticide may not be appropriate because of this risk. However, we can often use our experience to present bait in a way that is safe to use area children and pets. This might be through the use of secure bait boxes, or positioning the bait in a way that only the mice can access. Or using different products, where the strength, active ingredient and formulation presents a lower risk.

This is why professional rodenticide is not available for the public to purchase. They must be used responsible and safety to protect people, pets and other wildlife.