Don’t hesitate to call in a professional. Mice breed very quickly, and the larger the infestation gets, the more expensive an exterminator will be. The cost of an exterminator depends a lot on the size of your home and the size of the infestation. However, the average cost is typically between $200 and $600. [2] X Research source Exterminators typically focus on lethal short-term methods, while pest control professionals will often use non-toxic, long-term control methods. You can call either one for a mouse problem, but an exterminator is more likely to take care of the problem fast.
Mice will usually make their nests in dark, secluded places, like underneath shrubbery or in a crawlspace. Mouse droppings can carry diseases like hantavirus or listeria. If you see droppings, put on gloves and clean them up, then throw them away quickly. Disinfect the area with bleach spray to get rid of any bacteria left behind.
If you do find that your food has been chewed on, throw it out right away. Mice can carry diseases, and it’s not safe to eat food that they’ve touched.
You might even hear tiny squeaking sounds. Animals (especially dogs and cats) can pick up on these sounds better than we can. If your animals seem to be on high-alert at night, check your home for other signs of a mouse infestation.
Mice can also smell vaguely musty or stale, especially their nests.
If you’d like to trap a mouse without harming it, look into nonlethal traps instead. These will catch the mice and hold it in a container until you release it elsewhere.
Also, install door sweeps in your doorway. Oftentimes, mice will come in through the door, because they can squeeze in right underneath it.
Trim any large shrubs and move wood piles away from your home to deter mice.
