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Mice

According to the archaeologists, signs of mouse infestation have been found in British houses for the last 3000 years, so if you have just discovered a mouse you are joining a long and respected list of previous landlords of unwanted guests.

In modern, warm, houses, and with a supply of food available, mice can breed all year round. Each mouse needs 3 grams (about 1/8th ounce) of food per day, and provided there is moisture in the food mice can manage without needing liquid water to drink. Despite the image in TV cartoons the favourite food is not cheese, but grains and cereal products, so the larder of a modern house, with packets of breakfast cereals is ideal. For variety, they will nibble at anything else available, including fruit and vegetables. In empty houses, or if food is scarce, they can survive on soap, candles, or almost anything that has some trace of nutrition.

The ability to survive on tiny amounts of food, and the fast breeding rate mean that mouse infestations develop quickly. By the time you see a mouse running across the floor it is very likely that the infestation includes not just the mouse you see, but all its relatives.

The signs of a mouse infestation are the damage caused during feeding - loose foods such as sugar scattered in cupboards and food packages nibbled round the edges. Mouse droppings are black, and about the size of a grain of rice. They will be scattered everywhere that mice roam, but particularly in corners of cupboards or around food packages. Although mice eat only small amounts of food each day, they tend to nibble and urinate at everything they come across. Most of the damage caused by mice is due to the spoilage of food. If you have mice in your kitchen cupboard, check all food packages carefully, and throw out all open packets and any packets that show signs of damage. Transfer new food out of paper and cardboard packaging into mouse proof containers - glass jars with screw lids, or heavy plastic containers with strong snap on lids.

The best way to get rid of mice is to use one of the new poisons which have been specifically designed for the purpose. Mouse traps can be very effective, but unless you have just one or two mice they will not clear an infestation. The average domestic cat is not effective at eradicating infestations. It may catch, play with, and kill single mice, but it is only a game.

Our Pest Control Operator will explain the treatment to you, and how you can help by removing other sources of food. Once poison is laid, mice will start to die quickly, but it may take up to 21 days to get complete control. There is a risk that if a mouse dies in an inaccessible location under the floor or behind built in furniture there may be a smell. We will try where possible to remove the body, but if this cannot be done without damage to your house, the smell will go away in about two weeks, and during this time it can be masked with an air freshener.