What’s That Scratching Sound? 5 Signs You Have a Mouse in Your House

Every winter, around 21 million homes get a mice infestation as the rodents start to look for a warm place, food, and water. No one wants uninvited house guests especially rodents that can damage your home.

If you hear scratching noises or just wondering if you have mice, it’s important to address this infestation as soon as possible. Here are some signs of mice to watch out for.

1. You Hear Sounds

This is probably the first sign of a mice infestation people notice. These sound include scratching and other noises in the walls or ceilings, especially at night. Mice are nocturnal, so you will mostly hear these noises during the night.

2. You Notice Urine or Droppings

Mice are disgusting and have no control over their urination or bowel movements. Mice eat so much food compared to their body weight that they actually do their business more than most creatures. You are most likely to find droppings near food, under sinks, in drawers or cupboards, or other hidden areas.

You will need to see if the droppings are new, which means they are moist and dark. This will tell you if the infestation is still active. Rodent odor has a strong musky odor. If you have a large infestation, you will start smelling the urine.

3. You Find Traffic Patterns

Mice leave traffic patterns. You can find these patterns with a flashlight or blacklight. These patterns have footprints, droppings, urine stains, and smudge marks. If you suspect a mice infestation, try adding some powder like flour or baby powder to the area. You will know if you have an infestation if you see a trail of the powder.

4. You Find Food Debris

Mice eat will chew into food packages. You may start to find holes in the bottom of food packages, dog food bags, birdseed, or other food containers. Near these containers, you will likely find crumbs, debris, and broken seed hulls. You may also find the food debris near the nesting areas instead of near the food storage.

5. You Find Nests

Rodents use things like fabric, dried plants, shredded paper, and pieces of cardboard to make their nests. If you find something that looks a nest, look for other nearby signs like fresh droppings, urine odor, tracks, and gnaw marks.

What to Do If You Find These Signs of Mice?

No one wants to have mice in their home. They are destructive. They can chew wires and spread diseases. You can try to put out traps to handle yourself. It may be hard to destroy the whole colony. If you catch a mouse but still have signs of an infestation, it’s time to contact a pest control company because they are trained to remove mice. They will also help give you tips to avoid another infestation based on your home and location.

Mice Away Now Homeowners Play

After you notice the signs of mice and remove the mice from your home, you can start fixing any damage or find some other home improvement projects. Review other articles on our site for tips on home improvement and other tips to make your home comfortable now that your unwanted houseguests are gone.