5 Signs You Have Mice In Your Attic And How You Can Remove Them

Having a mice problem in your home can be easily identified... Simply check around your food storage areas for droppings and signs of chewing. Having a mice problem in your attic is a different story - unless you spend a considerable amount of time in your attic, you may only find out about your infestation once the mice start invading other areas of your home. There are several different signs that can help you determine if you have mice living in your attic, and even if the infestation is only in your attic, it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. Why?

The mice can find their way inside other areas of your house, and can contaminate food sources, and; Even if they only stay in the attic space, their feces can spread disease through the ventilation systems in your home.

Here are 5 simple ways to find out if you have mice taking up residence in your attic:

(5) Noise

Mice are usually active at night but many events will trigger them to become active at all hours; such as drastic weather changes, construction, hunger and thirst, or if there are too many mice living in the area. Pay close attention to any noises that you might hear coming from your attic at night time because this is when mice are looking for food and building up their nests. Tip: Leave a small recording device running at night to avoid having to stay up late on a mice-recon mission. You've got better things to do

(4) Look For Chew Marks & Footprints

You may notice recent gnaw markings, as well as fresh mouse droppings around your house and attic space. Gnaw marks can be found on just about every hard surface, such as your floor, rafters in the ceiling, house siding, electrical wires, ventilation ducts and areas around pipes inside your walls. TIP: If you can't find any obvious signs of chewing, simply sprinkle talcum powder on your attic floor and inspect for footprints over the following few days.

(3) Look For Signs Of Mice Tunnelling

Inspect your attic for tunnelling, especially if your house has blown in insulation. Mice often tunnel in materials like this and can even get behind fiberglass insulation in order to keep them warm while they are nesting. Mice are fearful so if they can hide their whereabouts they will do so - especially when they hear you coming.

(2) Look For The Source

Look around your house and attic for signs of entry. Mice can fit into very small openings (even holes that appear smaller than their bodies!) Try thinking like a mouse and check your entire attic for spots where they may have entered from. Preventing mice from getting inside your house is a great way to save you time and money in the future by taking a few proactive steps. TIP: If you find any holes bigger than a dime, you've most likely got company.

(1) The Obvious Giveaway - Droppings

Mice will leave a trail of faeces while they are scurrying around your house going about their business. Their droppings are very small, oval shaped and pointed at one end. It's common to find mouse faeces near food sources, but in your attic it's likely you'll find them near their nesting spots. The only way to find mouse urine is to use a black light, and it’s horrifying to find out how much mouse urine is all over food prep areas and utensils.

So You've Got Mice In Your Attic, What Next?

In eliminating your mice problems, you should always follow these three simple yet concise steps:
1) Sealing Entry Points
2) Elimination
3) Prevention
The first step involves identifying and sealing up all possible entry points where the mice could be entering your home. Common weak spots include around the roofline, and basically any gap at floor level bigger than a dime. Mesh and filler-foam will become your best weapon during this stage.
If you have a brick home always insert stainless steel weep hole covers in your weepholes. Once you've double checked that you've sealed all entry points, it's time to get rid of the mice left inside. There are various ways to catch mice inside of your home, and we do not recommend poisoning techniques. Visit the Attic Pest Authority's: 'Guide to getting rid of mice' for more information regarding trapping and removal of mice in your attic. Finally, remember these words: "prevention is better than the cure". Prevent future mice invasions by following some simple housekeeping tips, such as:

Always keep a clean and tidy household (take the rubbish out often) If you notice a hole in your home's exterior, seal it up straight away. Regularly inspect your attic to ensure there are no growing pest infestations.