Post-war houses were not built with mice in mind, and they have plenty of small openings round pipes and extensions. Finding them is half the battle.
A house mouse can pass through a gap of roughly six to seven millimetres, and they are strong climbers and jumpers. This means that the usual suspects are not just holes at ground level, but also gaps under eaves, around cables and where services enter the building.
The Broxtowe estate in north-west Nottingham is a large area of post-war housing. Many houses of that period have cavity walls, airbricks, pipe penetrations for gas, water and waste and later additions such as conservatories, porches and extensions. Each join between old and new masonry can leave a crack, and every service pipe has a collar that may be loose or poorly filled.
Rows of similar houses also share features, so if one has a problem, neighbouring houses are likely to have the same weak points. Garden sheds and garages at the back give mice a staging post before they cross to the house.
Check these in daylight with a torch, running a hand along the wall for draughts. Where you feel air, a mouse may get through.
Wire wool, fine metal mesh and quick-setting filler are common materials to close small holes. Plain foam and plastic can be gnawed through. Do not seal a gap until you are confident that no mouse is inside, or you may trap one in a wall void.
Inside, keep food in hard containers, clear clutter at the back of cupboards, and vacuum crumbs from kitchen floors. A mouse can survive on very little, so crumbs under the cooker are enough.
If droppings keep appearing or you hear scratching at night, a technician can treat the mice and identify the entry points as well. Our free pest prevention survey includes the outside of the house, and a free advice session covers proofing. How quickly activity ends depends on numbers and how easy it is for the mice to reach food.
Take care with garages and sheds as well. A mouse can nest in a box of old clothes or behind a lawnmower, then slip into the house when the weather turns. Store items in plastic boxes with lids, off the floor, so nests have fewer places to hide.
Call 0115 937 5117 and we will arrange a visit at a time that suits you.
Usually because an entry point remains open or food is still easy to reach. Treatment removes the mice present, while proofing and storage changes keep new ones from moving in.
It works well to plug small holes because mice dislike chewing it, but it can rust over time. Combine it with filler for a durable repair, and wear gloves as it can splinter.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. Prices are fixed and there is no call-out charge.
