Advice
Signs of Mice in the House: What to Look For
Mice are small, secretive and mostly active at night, so the first clues are usually droppings, gnaw marks and faint sounds rather than a sighting.
Read the guide →If you can hear scratching, have found droppings or notice chewed packaging, it is worth acting early because mice breed quickly. Phone us, describe what you have seen, and we will arrange an inspection and explain the plan before any work starts.
Why mice do well in a city like Plymouth
Mice need very little: a gap the width of a pencil, a warm void and a source of crumbs. Plymouth's rows of terraced homes share walls, roof spaces and drains, which gives them plenty of ways to move between properties. A working waterfront also means food storage and delivery areas close to homes.
In rental properties the signs are often missed between tenancies. Look for droppings behind appliances, gnaw marks on cupboard corners and skirting, and a musty smell in cupboards that stay closed. Landlords and letting agents can save a lot of trouble by checking these places during routine visits.
What happens during our visits
In Plymouth we start with a walk round inside and out, checking air bricks, pipe entries, gaps under doors, the loft and any outbuildings. The aim is to work out how many mice are active and which routes they favour. Then we place traps and, where it is safe to do so, bait, in the spots that matter.
We come back to look at what has been caught, move or add traps and note whether droppings and gnawing are reducing. This checking is the heart of the job. When there has been no fresh activity, we collect the equipment and talk through what to seal.
Plymouth homes and businesses: stopping a repeat problem
For a business in Plymouth, good storage and regular cleaning behind equipment matter as much as traps. At home, store dry goods in sealed containers, deal with spills quickly and keep clutter off the floor in lofts and garages. We also cover Ivybridge, Salcombe and Dartmouth if you are just outside the city.
Frequently asked questions
Do you treat mice in Plymouth flats and rented houses?
Yes. We deal with flats, terraces and rented houses alike. Where several households share walls or a loft, we recommend telling neighbours or the landlord so the whole building is looked at, because mice move between units.
How can I tell if it is mice and not rats in my loft?
Mouse droppings are small, around the size of a grain of rice, and the scratching is light and quick. Rat droppings are larger and the noise is heavier. If you are unsure, we will inspect and tell you what we find.
Do I need to move out while the traps are down?
No. Traps and bait stations are placed out of the way and you carry on as normal. We will show you where they are and ask you to leave them in place, and to keep pets away from them.