You likely have mice if you hear scratching in the walls or ceiling at night, or find small dark droppings with pointed ends along baseboards and in cabinets. Gnaw marks and shredded insulation are other common signs. In Boyne City and Boyne Falls, Inner Banks Pest Solutions inspects homes to confirm activity and find the entry points. Learn more about our mouse control and inspection.
The five most common signs
Droppings. Mouse droppings are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, dark and pointed at the ends, a lot like grains of rice. NC State Extension says one mouse can leave 50 to 75 droppings a day (NC State Extension).
Sounds. Quiet scratching or scampering in walls and ceilings, mostly at night (University of Arizona IPM).
Gnaw marks. Small holes in food packaging, and chewing along the edges of baseboards and walls.
Shredded nesting material. Insulation pulled out of place, or torn paper and fabric.
Rub marks and odor. Dark smudges along the routes mice travel, and a musky smell in enclosed spaces.
Walls and attics: why you hear them but don't see them
Mice nest in wall voids and attics because those spaces are warm, dark and undisturbed. They travel close to walls, which is also why MSU Extension recommends setting traps along walls where they run (MSU Extension). MSU advises against using poison inside homes, because mice can die inside the walls and cause odor problems.
What to do next
Confirm the activity, remove the mice that are already inside, then seal the gaps they used to get in. Skip that last step and new mice simply replace the ones you removed.
Mini FAQ
Do mice in the walls go away on their own?
Usually not in winter. Mice don't hibernate, and they can breed year-round indoors when food and shelter are steady.
Is it mice or something bigger?
Droppings tell you. Mouse droppings are rice-sized. Larger droppings or louder noises call for an inspection.
Should I use poison bait inside?
MSU Extension doesn't recommend it, because mice may die in the walls and cause odor.
Related: Rodent control · Bat removal · Pest control in Boyne City
Call (231) 350-3495 to have Inner Banks Pest Solutions check your walls and attic.
