Pest & Vermin Control · 8 min read · Intermediate

Mice in the House: Prevention, Traps & When to Call a Professional

Recognise signs of mice, remove food sources, close entry points and use lawful traps safely before considering higher-risk rodenticide options.

Key points & steps

Look for droppings, gnaw marks, shredded nesting material, scratching noises and greasy rub marks along regular routes.
Remove easy food sources by using sealed containers, cleaning crumbs, securing pet food and keeping waste bins closed.
Inspect likely entry points around service pipes, doors, vents, floor voids and damaged fabric. Mice can use very small gaps, so check carefully.
Seal suitable gaps with durable materials that mice cannot easily chew through, while preserving required ventilation and drainage.
If trapping is appropriate, use traps designed and approved for mice, positioned according to the maker’s instructions and protected from children, pets and non-target animals.
Check traps frequently and deal with captured animals lawfully and humanely.
Treat rodenticides as a higher-risk option. Use only products authorised for general-public use, exactly as labelled, and consider professional pest control first.
Use a professional pest controller if activity is widespread, repeated after proofing, difficult to access or if you are unsure of the species or legal method.

Do not use glue traps for rodents; they are prohibited for general pest control use in the UK.
Avoid placing traps or bait where children, pets or wildlife can reach them.
Proofing plus food control is what prevents recurrence; killing individual mice without closing entry points rarely solves the underlying problem.