Removing Mice from Walls

Do the walls in your home make unusual noises at night? If so, you could be dealing with mice that have taken up residence within them. Many homeowners miss the early warning signs until the scratching and scurrying become impossible to ignore. Beyond the noise, mice can chew wires and insulation, leading to costly damage. Mice love the protection and comfort that walls provide, but once inside, they can be very difficult to remove.

The experts at Action Pest Control are here to share proven strategies for getting mice out of your walls and keeping them away.

How Can You Tell if Mice Are Hiding in Your Walls?

Mice are experts at hiding and can slip through even the smallest cracks, making it difficult to notice an infestation, especially inside your walls. However, there are telltale indicators that can help confirm their presence. Watch for these common signs of mice in your walls:

• Scratching or Rustling Noises: At night, mice are most active, and you may hear scurrying, gnawing, or scratching inside your walls during the evening or early morning hours.
• Holes or Gaps: Mice often chew through drywall, wood, or other materials to create small entry points. Openings along baseboards or walls are a common indicator of their presence.
• Nesting Materials: Shredded paper, fabric, or insulation tucked near cracks or openings may suggest mice are nesting inside your walls. These materials are often gathered to build their hidden homes.
• Unpleasant Odors: A strong, musty, or urine-like smell can develop in areas with mouse activity, especially if a mouse has died within the walls.
• Gnaw Marks: Mice frequently gnaw on wood, wires, or insulation to maintain their teeth. Marks around openings, baseboards, or suspected entry points are signs of activity.
• Droppings: Small, dark pellets left near baseboards, corners, or along travel paths are a clear sign of mice. Droppings are often found close to walls where they travel most.

Why Do Mice Like to Live in Walls?

Mice frequently invade homes, building nests inside walls and becoming a stubborn nuisance. They find their way indoors through small cracks, holes, and gaps near baseboards, vents, air ducts, crawl spaces, and windows. Walls provide them with warmth, protection, and a perfect hiding spot from humans and predators alike. To make nests, they chew through insulation, which leaves them hidden yet close to food and water sources. These habits allow them to thrive unnoticed for long periods. Knowing why mice are drawn to walls is the first step in stopping a full-blown infestation.

How Can You Seal Mice Entry Points in Your Home?

Sealing possible entry points is one of the best ways to keep mice out of your home. Even small gaps can give them access. Here are some proven techniques to help you rodent-proof your space:

• Inspect Your Home for Openings: Carefully examine both the inside and outside of your home for cracks, holes, or small gaps. Pay close attention to areas around windows, baseboards, ducts, foundations, attic vents, and spots where pipes or wires enter. Evidence like droppings or gnaw marks can help identify where mice are getting in.
• Seal Small Gaps with Steel Wool and Caulk: When dealing with tiny holes, fill them with steel wool, which mice cannot chew through. Secure the steel wool in place with caulk to create a long-lasting and mouse-proof seal.
• Use Expanding Foam or Wire Mesh for Larger Holes: For wider openings, fill them with expanding foam or block them off with wire mesh. Both options stop mice from entering and prevent them from gnawing their way back inside.
• Check and Reinforce Vulnerable Areas: Give special attention to common weak spots like vents, crawl spaces, and door or window frames. Use caulk, mesh, or weather stripping to strengthen these areas and reduce possible entry points.
• Regularly Monitor for New Openings: Even after sealing, continue to check your home for fresh gaps or activity. Regular inspections ensure that your home stays protected from future infestations.

Proven Approaches for Catching Mice

Controlling a mouse problem starts with knowing how to trap them properly. The right methods can make a big difference in protecting your home. Consider the following approaches:

• Types of Traps: There are various traps available for catching mice. Snap traps are fast and effective, killing mice immediately upon contact. Glue traps hold mice in place for later removal but are less humane, while live traps offer a safe and humane option, allowing mice to be captured and released.
• Placement of Traps: For the best results, place traps along baseboards, near entry points, and in areas showing signs of mouse activity. These spots are common routes for rodents to travel. Check and reset traps regularly to maintain their effectiveness and catch any new mice that appear.
• Baiting Strategies: Mice are naturally drawn to foods like peanut butter, cheese, and seeds, making these excellent choices for bait. Place the baited traps near likely entry points, such as cracks or holes in baseboards. Because mice tend to follow walls, set traps along their usual paths and use just enough bait to avoid theft without activating the trap.

What to Do When DIY Methods Don’t Work

A rodent infestation can quickly become overwhelming. DIY traps may catch a few mice, but larger infestations require more than home methods. Mice can squeeze through tiny cracks, chew through drywall and wiring, and make detection tricky. Signs like droppings, gnaw marks, or noises from attics and crawl spaces often point to a bigger problem. If these issues continue, it’s best to call a professional rodent exterminator.

Professional Rodent Extermination With Action Pest Control

The fastest way to tackle a rodent infestation is by working with a trained professional. Experts have the experience and knowledge to handle treatments safely and effectively. In Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, homeowners trust Action Pest Control to manage even the most persistent rodent problems. We evaluate your home to develop a customized plan for removing mice. Our team will walk you through every step and address any concerns. We also offer follow-up support to keep rodents from coming back.

Think you might have rodents nesting in your walls? Contact Action Pest Control for expert assistance today.