House mice are common in many buildings both domestic and commercial all over Britain. they are mainly house dwellers and rarely exit the property as they don’t cohabit with other small external mammals. Unlike common rats house mice are not found in drains or sewers.

House mice prefer warm and dry conditions and do not cope well in colder, damp locations. Due to their size they find it difficult to keep warm and retain their body heat if they get wet, however they can cope with colder conditions provided they are dry and are able to find a warm, dry nesting location.

House mice are extremely adaptable and find living along side humans no challenge often exploiting our way of living for their gains. Bird food stored in a connecting garage, biscuits in cupboards and bread crumbs in a toaster are all ready food sources.

There are various methods of control from snap traps, multi catch traps to rodenticide and non-anticoagulant baits like Cholecalciferol which increases blood calcium levels that are lethal or Alphachloralose, a narcotic drug-based rodenticide which works below 15 degrees centigrade.

It is important not to confuse the house mouse with other species found Britain such as field or wood mice, these species prefer to live out doors and any form of rodenticide control should not be considered for these species.

Wood mice have been noted to increasingly make their way into domestic dwellings, they have been known to nest in sheds or outbuilding but are now noted to be taking up residence within the property.

Wood mice tend to cover bait trays and fill bait stations with insulation or other items, their droppings are also slightly larger and rounder than house mice droppings. The concern is that if wood mice are consuming rodenticide baits within the property then exiting building and expiring externally there is a increased chance that they could enter the food chain of non-target animals such as kestrels or owls.

It is extremely important that the correct species is identified before rodenticides are considered.

Proofing

Mice can narrow themselves down to the width of a two pence piece so proofing can be difficult, however, simply blocking holes around pipework, meshing air bricks without disrupting air flow, keeping green growth away from gutter heights, and generally filling gaps can often stop a problem before it starts.

Infestations.

If the infestation has already taken hold within the property the advise of a professional pest controller is advised, its then a numbers game, simply put you need the right amount of the right products placed in the right places to gain control. If your seeing mice in every room putting a single snap trap with mild cheddar upon it will not solve your problem.

Rodenticide / Biocide control

The are several types of Biocidal control product available to the professional pest controller. There are many assessments carried out before safe use of poison baits are placed. Safety is paramount, non target risk, negative environmental impact are just a few observations that must be undertaken before rodenticide control is considered.

The code of Best Practice in accordance with the CRRU legislation is adhered to at all times. Both common rats and house mice have confirmation to certain anticoagulant resistance and this must be considered before active ingredient selection.