Mouse Pest Control in Leeds

 main mice

A widespread problem throughout the whole of the UK, mice tend to be more problematic in the colder autumn and winter months. Rural properties will typically notice more of a mouse presence as the temperatures drop, but even city dwellings are at risk of an infestation too.

Mice, a pest all year round

Although they are more commonly found in autumn or winter, mice are a pest that can be present at any time of the year.

Mice tend to be much smaller than rats. They are between six and nine centimeters long and can have tails as long as 10 centimeters. They tend to have brown or black fur with a grey underbelly. They reach sexual maturity at the age of nine or ten weeks. They can then go on to produce up to seven or eight litters per year. With four to sixteen mice in a litter, this quickly adds up.

Risks associated with mice

Mice are also carriers of bacteria that can cause illness in humans, such as salmonella and listeria. If you suspect that you have an infestation of mice in or around your property, then you need to take care of it before you or someone around you becomes ill.

Where to find mice

As mice get their hydration from food, they do not always have to be near a source of water. They like to be warm and so many of them congregate in houses or buildings. They can often be found in the following areas:

  • Near your boiler
  • Inside walls
  • In basements or attics
  • In or near rubbish bins

They have even been found down in coal mines! Once they make a place for themselves, they often begin to destroy the area around them.

Mice infestation signs

Common signs of an infestation of mice include:

  • Scratching noises
  • A musky scent or odour
  • Droppings near sources of food, such as cupboards
  • Signs of gnawing on various surfaces
  • Evidence of a nest or burrow

There are several ways to remove mice from your home or property. Mice traps, mice poison and live mice traps can be used. By laying out traps over a wide area of your home, you can better your chances of catching most of the mice and alleviating the issue at hand. Catching mice isn’t always easy, particularly an infestation of field mice in the winter months. This is because they will have had their fill of food during the summer and won’t be attracted to the food in either the poison or the traps