Mice in the house: what should I do?
Call for pest control help during posted hours on the referral page for this service.
Mice enter for food, warmth, and gaps you can often seal. This guide covers traps you can set safely, cleanup without dry sweeping, and when to hire help. It does not tell you to mix rodenticides in living spaces or handle wildlife.
Safety first: when to call a pro
Read the pesticide label before you use any product, and keep children and pets away during application and drying time. Do not mix concentrates unless the label allows it. For rodents, avoid dry sweeping droppings; CDC recommends wet cleaning. Large infestations, stinging insects, and wildlife need a licensed applicator.
Sanitation, sealing gaps, and traps you can place without climbing are the DIY lane. Fogging an entire home or treating termites, bed bugs, or bees is outside this page. The EPA describes integrated pest management as combining prevention with labeled products when needed.
How do you clean droppings safely?
CDC says not to sweep or vacuum rodent droppings in enclosed spaces. Spray droppings with a commercial disinfectant or bleach solution, wait the label time, then wipe with a paper towel. Wear gloves and wash hands afterward. Open windows for ventilation while you clean. Do not sleep in a room until droppings are removed.
CDC rodent cleanup pages list the bleach dilution and ventilation steps. Follow those instructions rather than dry dusting baseboards.
How do you keep more mice out?
Store food in metal or thick plastic containers, including pet food. Stuff steel wool in small holes temporarily and seal with caulk or metal flashing when dry. Check where pipes enter walls and garage doors meet the floor. Trapping works best after you remove food and close routes. University extension sites show common entry sizes.
Set snap or live traps along walls where you see droppings, baited per the trap instructions. Check traps daily and dispose of rodents with gloves.
When is professional help appropriate?
Call if you hear scratching in walls you cannot access, smell decay, or see many droppings daily after trapping. The referral call on this site connects mice in homes but not wildlife or commercial buildings. For company selection, use the pest company guide linked below instead of repeating those questions.
See how to choose a pest control company for license and label discussions.
Steps
- Disinfect droppings without dry sweeping. Follow CDC wet cleanup steps.
- Remove food sources and clutter. Seal pantry items and pet food.
- Set traps along walls. Check daily and reset safely.
- Seal gaps around pipes and doors. Use durable materials after trapping.
- Call if activity stays high. Note sounds, odors, and trap results.
Questions
Can I use poison bait indoors?
Only products labeled for indoor rodent use; keep away from children and pets.
Do mice always mean a dirty home?
No. They need a small gap and a food crumb.