House mouse: the field card
Small, curious and prolific: the mouse goes where nobody looks.
Card 02
Mus musculus
In short
The house mouse (Mus musculus) measures 7 to 10 cm without the tail and squeezes through a gap of around 6 mm. It nibbles everywhere, contaminates food with its urine and breeds very fast. Getting rid of it means treating and, above all, sealing the small gaps along cables, pipes and skirting boards.
Unlike rats, mice happily live indoors: behind kitchen units, inside wall linings, false ceilings and cable ducts. They drink very little because they get much of their water from their food.
Mice are curious and explore every new object, but they live in a small territory, often just a few metres around the nest. Stations therefore have to be numerous and placed right on their actual routes.
Tell-tale signs of house mice
- 1Black droppings 3–6 mm long, like grains of rice, scattered in cupboards and behind appliances.
- 2A strong, sharp smell of urine in enclosed rooms.
- 3Nibbled packets, cardboard or paper, and little piles of shredded material used as nests.
- 4Light scratching at night inside partitions or above ceilings.
Risk index
DeratiseurPRO rating, from 1 (low) to 5 (high).
- Health
- 3/5
- Damage
- 4/5
- Spread
- 4/5
The risks
- Contamination of food, worktops and utensils by urine and droppings.
- Urinary allergens that can make asthma worse.
- Gnawed cables and insulation in ducts and wall linings.
- Very fast breeding: around three weeks' gestation and many litters a year.
How we treat it
- 01
Detect
We trace droppings and urine marks with a UV torch and identify routes and gaps around pipes and cables.
- 02
Neutralise
Secured bait stations placed close together, or mechanical traps in food areas.
- 03
Lock
Sealing of cable and pipe gaps, skirting boards and door bottoms, mesh on air vents.
- 04
Monitor
Station checks, fine-tuning of the set-up, photo report and written guarantee.
Prevention checklist
Simple habits that lower the risk of the intruder coming back.
- Keep cereals, flour and pet food in airtight containers.
- Don't leave a full pet bowl out overnight.
- Check pipe openings under the sink and behind appliances.
- Fit door sweeps on outside doors and cellar doors.
Frequently asked questions
I've only seen one mouse. Do I need to act?
Yes. A mouse seen in daylight often means others are living nearby. The earlier we step in, the shorter the treatment.
Do ultrasonic repellents work?
No serious study shows a lasting effect: mice get used to the sound. Cutting off access and food works far better.
Why do mice show up in autumn?
When temperatures drop they look for warm shelter and food. Poorly sealed buildings are the first ones they visit.
Got house mice at home?
Price shown before you book, 2-hour time slot, same-day photo report and written guarantee.