Dealing with mice and rats
Find out what to do if you have mice or rats in your home.
What to do about mice and rats
Mice or rats in your home can be dangerous to your health, so you should try to get rid of them as quickly as possible.
They can carry diseases that could make you ill, including salmonella, as well as fleas and ticks. Plus, they can make existing conditions, such as allergies and asthma, worse.
Rodents can also chew and damage electrical cables causing fire hazards and the danger of electric shocks.
Spotting the signs of mice and rats
Droppings
Mouse droppings are black, shiny, and about the size of a grain of rice. You typically find them under fridges and kitchen cupboards, as well as lofts and gas or electricity meter cupboards.
Holes and gnawing marks
Mice chew food, boxes, wallpaper, and furniture. Usually you find little bits of damage in lots of places, rather than a lot of damage in one place.
Smears on surfaces
You may see smears of grease on surfaces left by mice or rats as they walk around.
Sightings
Mice normally feed at night. If you see them during the day, it means they’re short of food or you may have a larger infestation.
Distinctive smell
You may notice a musty smell, like the smell of a pet shop, which could mean you have a significant infestation.
How to test if you have mice or rats
If you suspect there are mice or rats in your home, put talcum powder on pieces of paper in the corners of your rooms. You’ll see footprints or tail marks if there’s a problem and be able to see which rooms are affected.
Is it a mouse or a rat?
To work out whether you have a mouse or a rat in your home, remember that mice are smaller than rats. Adult mice and young rats can look similar, but young rats have smaller ears, bigger heads, and shorter tails relative to their body.
Loading component...
Loading component...
Loading component...
