Mice Pest Control and Treatment

Mice Pest Control

Mice are small rodents that are highly adaptable and thrive in urban, rural, and suburban environments. Their population size can increase rapidly as females can reproduce from as young as two months old with litters of up to eight pups at a time. This fast breeding cycle allows infestations to get out of control quickly if not managed.

Mice feed on a wide range of foods, including grains, nuts, and animal feed. Contrary to popular belief, cheese is not a favourite. They don’t need much water — only about one millilitre a day — and can survive on tiny amounts of food scattered across different locations.

Common signs of a mouse infestation include small black droppings, urine stains or smells, gnaw marks on packaging, and scratching noises at night. Sometimes, they can even be spotted darting across a room in search of food.

What Do Mice Look Like?

The common house mouse is a slender rodent typically brown to grey in colour. They have large, rounded ears, bulging black eyes, and a pointed snout. Their body length ranges from 60–100 mm, with a tail that can measure an additional 75–100 mm.

Mice have one pair of sharp, chisel-shaped incisors that never stop growing, which is why they constantly gnaw on materials to keep them trimmed. Agile and adaptable, they are excellent climbers and jumpers. While they can swim, they usually prefer not to.

Where Do Mice Live?

Mice are highly resourceful and build their nests in sheltered, secluded places. Indoors, they can be found in roof voids, wall cavities, subfloors, cupboards, and storage areas. They use shredded paper, fabric, insulation, and other soft materials to make their nests.

Outdoors, they burrow into the ground or take shelter in sheds, garages, compost heaps, and wood piles. Their preference for warm, hidden spaces close to food and water makes homes and businesses an ideal environment.

Common Types of Mice in Australia

House Mouse (Mus musculus)

How they look 

The house mouse is the most common rodent pest in Australian homes. It is small, slender, and usually grey-brown with a lighter underside. Adults range from 60–100 mm in body length, with a tail almost as long as their body. They have large rounded ears, black protruding eyes, and a pointed snout.

Where they live 

House mice thrive in urban and suburban areas. They are commonly found nesting inside homes, wall cavities, roof voids, and under floorboards, especially close to kitchens and pantries. Outdoors, they burrow into gardens, sheds, and compost heaps. They prefer warm, dry, and secluded areas where food is easily accessible.

Why they are a problem

House mice are prolific breeders, a single pair can produce dozens of offspring in a matter of months. They contaminate food with droppings and urine, gnaw on packaging, wiring, and furniture, and spread bacteria. Their constant gnawing also increases the risk of electrical fires.

Field Mouse (also called Wood Mouse) (Apodemus sylvaticus)

How they look 

Field mice are slightly larger than house mice, with a more reddish-brown coat and a white or pale underside. They have proportionally larger eyes and ears compared to house mice, giving them a more “wide-eyed” appearance.

Where they live 

Field mice typically live outdoors in fields, woodlands, and gardens, but they will enter homes and sheds when food becomes scarce — especially during cooler months. Inside, they are often found in roof spaces, garages, and basements.

Why they are a problem

Though less common indoors than house mice, field mice can still cause significant issues. They gnaw on electrical wiring, wooden beams, and insulation, and can contaminate stored food. Their droppings also carry pathogens, posing health risks to humans and pets.

Black-Headed Mouse (Pseuddomys species)

How they look

Native to Australia, black-headed mice are small rodents with dark brown to black fur on the head and lighter colouring on the belly. They are slightly stockier than house mice, with shorter tails.

Where they live 

While primarily found in rural or regional areas, black-headed mice can sometimes invade homes, especially farmhouses or properties near bushland. They make nests in sheds, barns, or quiet indoor corners, often in stored produce or animal feed.

How to Identify Mice Infestations

Why a Mice Infestation is a Serious Problem

Mice may look small and harmless, but they are highly destructive pests. They chew through food packaging, insulation, timber, wires, and even soft concrete, creating costly damage and potential fire hazards.

Worse, they carry dangerous diseases such as hantavirus, salmonella, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV). Their urine can also dry into dust, becoming airborne and inhaled — spreading illness without direct contact.

As the weather cools, rodents commonly seek shelter indoors. Cracks, vents, chimneys, and even tiny gaps around doors and windows become entry points. Spotting early warning signs is key to preventing contamination, property damage, and large infestations.

Droppings 

One of the most obvious indicators of a mouse infestation is droppings. Mouse droppings look like small, dark pellets around 3–6 mm long. Unlike rats, whose droppings tend to cluster in one spot, mouse droppings are scattered randomly around food storage areas, pantries, cupboards, or boxes.

Mice can produce 50–80 droppings a day, each one potentially carrying harmful bacteria. If you notice droppings, clean them carefully using gloves and disinfectant, and arrange pest control immediately.

Noises in the Night

Mice are nocturnal, so most activity happens after dark. If you hear scratching, scurrying, or squeaking sounds in your roof, walls, or under the floor, you may have mice. Brown rats often make grinding noises with their teeth, but mice are usually lighter and quicker, sounding like small footsteps darting across ceilings or behind cupboards.

Grease Marks and Smears

As mice squeeze along walls and baseboards, their oily fur leaves behind dark, greasy streaks. These trails mark their regular paths between nests and food sources. Finding smears or rub marks near skirting boards, cupboards, or small entry holes is a strong sign of regular rodent traffic.

Strong Odours 

Mice produce a strong, musky smell, often compared to ammonia. This odour is caused by their urine and tends to linger near nesting sites or areas with high activity. The smell becomes stronger as infestations grow. In some cases, homeowners may also detect the foul stench of a dead mouse hidden behind walls or under flooring.

Nests 

Mice build nests in dark, quiet areas using shredded paper, cardboard, insulation, fabric, and other soft materials. Nests are usually found behind walls, inside roof voids, under appliances, or in cluttered storage areas. If you discover a nest, you will often also notice droppings, gnaw marks, and a strong smell nearby.

Gnaw Marks 

Mice constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from overgrowing. This means they chew on almost anything whether that be timber, electrical wires, furniture, plastic, and even food packaging. Small, fresh gnaw marks or holes in boxes and bags are clear signs that mice are present.

Sightings of Live Mice

The most obvious and worrying sign of an infestation is seeing live mice scurrying across a room, especially during the day. Since mice usually avoid open spaces when humans are active, daytime sightings often indicate a large population with nests nearby.

Signs of Heavy Infestation

When a mouse infestation becomes well-established, the signs are difficult to miss. Multiple mice may be seen during the day, an indication that overcrowding has forced them out of hiding. Droppings and urine stains will be widespread across the property, often accompanied by a strong ammonia-like odour.

Structural damage such as gnawed wires, chewed packaging, and shredded nesting materials may be found throughout several rooms. Scratching and scurrying noises in walls or ceilings are also common at this stage. A heavy infestation not only causes significant property damage but also poses serious health risks, making professional pest control essential for complete eradication.

How to Prevent Mice Infestations

Mice are one of the most common household pests in Australia. Once inside, they breed rapidly, spread disease, and cause significant property damage. Prevention is far easier than dealing with a full-blown infestation, so keeping your home well-maintained and secure is the key to keeping mice out.

Block Entry Points 

Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 6 mm — roughly the size of a pencil. Sealing off entry points is one of the most effective ways to prevent them from getting inside. Check around doors, windows, vents, plumbing pipes, and rooflines for cracks or openings. Use steel wool, wire mesh, or caulking to block holes, as mice can chew through softer materials like plastic or wood.

Store Food Securely

Mice are opportunistic feeders and will gnaw through packaging to access food. Keep all pantry items such as grains, cereals, nuts, and pet food in airtight containers. Never leave food out overnight, and clean up crumbs and spills immediately. Rubbish bins should have tight-fitting lids and be emptied regularly to avoid attracting pests.

Maintain Cleanliness 

Regular cleaning makes your home less attractive to mice. Vacuum crumbs and food debris from floors and under appliances, and wipe down benchtops daily. Pay particular attention to kitchens, dining rooms, and pantries. A tidy home reduces available food sources and makes it easier to detect early signs of rodent activity.

Reduce Clutter and Nesting Materials 

Clutter provides perfect hiding spots and nesting material for mice. Cardboard boxes, paper piles, and stored fabrics are especially attractive. Keep storage areas neat and rotate items regularly. Store paper, fabrics, and seasonal decorations in sealed plastic tubs rather than cardboard.

Eliminate Water Sources 

Although mice need very little water to survive, they will seek it out when available. Repair leaky taps, dripping pipes, and condensation issues in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries. Wipe up standing water immediately and ensure pet water bowls are not left out overnight.

Use Natural Deterrents

Some scents are believed to discourage mice. Peppermint oil, cloves, and eucalyptus oil can be placed on cotton balls and left in cupboards, pantries, or near suspected entry points. While not a complete solution, natural deterrents may reduce activity in low-level infestations.

Outdoor Maintenance 

Mice often gain entry from the garden. Keep lawns trimmed and remove piles of leaves, wood, or debris where rodents could hide. Store firewood away from the home and at least 30 cm off the ground. Trimming back overhanging tree branches also helps prevent mice from accessing roofs and attics.

How to Get Rid of Mice Infestations

Mice are highly adaptable pests that breed quickly and spread disease. A single female can produce dozens of offspring each year, which means small problems can escalate into infestations in just a few months.

Because mice can gnaw through wood, plastic, and even wiring, they pose both a health and safety risk. Complete eradication usually requires a combination of at-home measures and professional pest control.

At-Home Actions to Reduce Mice

Seal Food and Waste 

Mice can chew through cardboard and paper packaging, so always store food in airtight containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic. Clean up crumbs and spills straight away, wash dishes promptly, and empty rubbish bins regularly into sturdy, rodent-proof containers.

Remove Shelter and Nesting Material 

Mice build nests from shredded paper, fabric, or insulation. Reduce clutter, keep storage areas tidy, and avoid leaving piles of newspapers or cardboard around the home. This makes it harder for them to establish nests.

Use Traps 

Snap traps, bait traps, and multiple-capture live traps are effective at reducing small populations. Place them along walls, in cupboards, and near entry points where mice are most active. Always wear gloves when handling traps, as human scent can deter rodents.

Avoid Unsafe Cleaning 

Never sweep or vacuum mouse droppings directly, as this can release dangerous bacteria into the air. Instead, spray droppings with disinfectant, wear gloves and a mask, and carefully clean the area before disposal.

Professional Mice Treatments

Because mice reproduce so quickly, professional pest control is usually the only way to fully eradicate an infestation. Licensed technicians use targeted treatments that reach both active mice and hidden nests.

Baiting Systems

Tamper-resistant bait stations are placed around your property to attract and poison mice safely. These are designed to minimise risks to pets and children.

Exclusion Work 

Professionals can identify and seal entry points that mice use to access your home, such as cracks, vents, or gaps around pipes. This prevents reinfestation after treatment.

Follow-Up Visits

Because new mice may still enter from outside, follow-up inspections are often scheduled. These ensure the infestation is completely under control and that long-term prevention steps are in place.

Call a Pest Control Professional

Even if you catch a few mice with traps, infestations are rarely solved without expert help. Mice are fast breeders, skilled climbers, and capable of contaminating food and spreading disease wherever they roam.

A licensed pest control company can confirm the infestation, apply safe and effective treatments, and provide long-term prevention advice. Non-toxic and pet-friendly options are also available.

Need help now? Book a professional mouse inspection on 1300 766 614. Our experts will assess your property, explain your options, and create a tailored plan to eliminate mice and keep them out for good.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How fast do mice multiply?

Mice breed extremely quickly. A single pair can turn into dozens within just a few months because females can start reproducing at only 4–6 weeks old. By the time you see one mouse, there are usually many more hidden.

How often do mice reproduce? 

A female mouse can give birth every 25–30 days, with litters of 5–10 pups at a time. With up to 10 litters per year, populations grow rapidly and can overwhelm a home if left unchecked.

How long do mice live? 

In the wild, mice live about 12 months, but indoors they can survive up to 2–3 years. Safer conditions and reliable food sources inside homes allow them to live longer and reproduce more.

Are mice nocturnal? 

Yes, mice are most active at night when it’s quiet and dark. This is why you often hear scratching or scurrying sounds in walls, ceilings, or cupboards after sunset.

What smells do mice hate? 

Mice dislike strong scents such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and ammonia. While these smells may repel them temporarily, they are not a substitute for proper pest control.

Can mice climb up walls? 

Mice are excellent climbers and can scale rough vertical surfaces such as brick, wood, and wires. They can also jump surprisingly high, making it easy for them to reach cupboards, counters, and ceilings.