Getting rid of mice

Mice are most active at night. They are very good climbers and can squeeze themselves through gaps as small as 6mm. They don't need as much water as rats and can usually find enough moisture from their food.

Why are mice a problem?
Mice are a health hazard. They are responsible for spreading diseases, and can contaminate food with their urine, droppings and fur.

Mice have a compulsive urge to gnaw and can cause huge damage to buildings by eating through woodwork, wires, pipes and household items.

Breeding
A mouse's life-span is around nine months to a year. During this time a female can breed up to ten times producing, on average, a litter of six. Breeding occurs throughout the year but especially in the spring and autumn.

How can I get rid of mice?
The first step is to mouse-proof your home by blocking all possible routes into the house including checking that the space around all pipes coming out of the house are fully sealed.

Most garden centres, hardware shops and large chemists stock a range of poisons and traps. It is very important that you follow the instructions carefully. Humane mouse traps usually consist of a box that the mouse is tempted into, once trapped you simply let the mouse free into an open area a long way from your home.

If you have an infestation call your local council or a professional pest control company to carry out the treatment for you.

How to prevent further infestations
- Don't leave open food out in the kitchen overnight
- Don't leave uneaten meal intended for a pet cat or a dog in dishes out overnight
- Remove all food and waste spillages as they occur
- Empty food waste bins in the kitchen etc frequently
- Place food in rodent proof containers
- Empty bins regularly, ensure that spillages and refuse is not allowed to accumulate in the yard or garden
- Seal structural defects in the house to prevent mice gaining access to your home (mice can squeeze through gaps in excess of 5mm.)

If signs of infestation are noticed, for example, fresh mouse droppings, gnawing marks, smears, take immediate action to control the infestation.