House mice may look cute but they are a genuine pest. They are destructive, carry disease and leave feces wherever they go, which is dangerous to human health. If you think you have a mouse in your house or want to prevent them taking up residence, this article is for you! We’ll outline what a house mouse is, how to recognize if you have them in your home and how to remove them humanely.

What is a house mouse?

A house mouse is literally a mouse that lives in your house. It’s a short haired mouse that is either light brown or gray in color. They measure around 3-4 inches long and are a small, round shape. They have large round ears and a long tail, which is what makes them look so cute. House mice eat cereals and seeds but when in a home, they will eat pet food, human food, fruit, nuts and anything that’s laying around.

Signs you have house mice

There are several signs of house mouse infestation, including:

• Feces around the home
• Gnaw marks on woodwork or furniture
• Footprints (yes really!)
• Oily rub marks on corners of walls or furniture
• Chemical odor from urine

You will often see the mice running around or identify a mouse run that mice use often. This will have footprints and those oily marks as they pass

The dangers of house mice

Despite how they look, a house mouse is an unwelcome visitor that brings diseases with them. Their feces contain harmful bacteria that include salmonella, rat bite fever, hantavirus, bubonic plague and other harmful diseases. Mouse feces can also cause allergies in children and mice bring fleas, mites, ticks and lice with them, which has obvious repercussions! 

How to get rid of house mice?

There are a few effective methods to prevent or remove house mice from your home.

Remove food sources

The most effective way to reduce or remove house mice is to remove their food source. That means not leaving food out overnight, keeping food in containers, keeping cupboards closed, not leaving pet food out, cleaning up food spills quickly and practising good kitchen hygiene.

Remove points of entry and exit

Making it difficult for pests to get inside your property is also useful. Fill holes in walls, the roofline, the roof, chimney, doors and anywhere on the exterior of your house.

Pay particular attention to foundations and where pipes and cables enter the house. If you can fit a pencil into a gap, a mouse will fit, so seal it up.

Use ultrasonic mouse deterrents

Ultrasonic mouse deterrents are an excellent way to prevent house mice infestations. Used outdoors, they can stop mice entering your yard. Used indoors, they can drive out mice, rats and other pests without killing them.

Mice and small mammals don’t like ultrasonic frequencies and will actively avoid them, which is how these ultrasonic mouse deterrents work. Place one in a room you think mice live in or in the attic and leave it running.

Use a repellent device in every room you think you have mice or in the center of your home to prevent house mice taking up residence.

Prevention is always better than cure and if you can prevent without killing, using an exterminator or traps, all the better!