Why do mice get into homes and buildings?
Houses, apartments, and other buildings offer many warm places to hide, such as cracks, crevices, lofts, and basements. They often find food leftovers in the form of crumbs, spilled food, or dry and wet pet food. In addition, mice can easily gnaw through packaging to access grains, cereals, and other kitchen delicacies.
In short, mice like to feel safe indoors, where the chances of finding natural predators are much lower than outdoors, and where they can easily feed and breed.
Common rodent entry points
These often live in cavity walls, insulation layers, false walls or ceilings and floors, ventilation shafts or a network of electrical wiring and piping, making it easy to spread through the building unnoticed.
- Through an opening in the exterior wall
- Weep holes
- Ventilation grilles or gaps
- Openings under the garage door, front or back door, or around poorly framed windows
Some curiosities about mice
Mice have a remarkable sense of orientation. They create mental maps of their territory using a combination of smell, touch (their whiskers are incredibly sensitive), and even the Earth's magnetic field. This allows them to navigate complex environments and find their way back to their nests.
Mice also have exceptional hearing. They can detect sounds at frequencies far beyond the human hearing range, allowing them to hear approaching predators or distant prey. This acute hearing also helps them navigate in the dark and avoid obstacles.
While mice are fascinating creatures, it's important to remember that they can also cause harm in many ways. If you have a mouse problem in your home, it's best to consult Anticimex.
How to prevent mice infestation?
Mice like to be close to humans. We unknowingly provide them with a warm nest and food. When winter arrives, they move their nest indoors and become a nuisance.
Therefore, it is important to take precautions to prevent them from entering your home. Seal holes or gaps. Store food in secure food containers and clear up leftovers straight away.
What you need to know about using mouse poison - is it still legal?
The use of rodenticides (rat and mouse poisons) is not banned for home use in the UK, but their use is subject to strict legal requirements and product-specific instructions. Rodenticides can pose risks to people, pets, wildlife and the environment if used incorrectly.
Before using rodenticides, it is recommended to consider non-chemical control methods such as proofing buildings, improving hygiene and using traps. Professional guidance and industry best practice promote an integrated pest management approach, with rodenticides used only when necessary.
Some rodenticide products are available to the public, while others are restricted to trained or certified professional users. Professional-use rodenticides can only be purchased and used by individuals who meet the relevant competence requirements under the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime.
Anyone using rodenticides must follow the product label, comply with applicable regulations and dispose of unused product, packaging and rodent carcasses responsibly.
When hiring a pest control company, ask for evidence of relevant qualifications, certifications and treatment records where appropriate. Reputable professionals should be able to demonstrate that any rodenticides are being used legally, safely and in accordance with industry best practice.