How to Get Rid of Mice in the Walls

Hearing Mice in Your Walls Can Drive Anyone Insane!

Picture this: you’re relaxing after a long day, and then…scratch, scratch, gnaw. Those little freeloaders are setting up shop. From gnawing through insulation and electrical cables to contaminating your food and spreading disease, these tiny tenants are doing more damage than your teenage nephew. Fun fact: rodents are actually responsible for up to 20% of undetermined house fires every year, usually due to chewed electrical wires. That’s right—your new roommates could be setting up their own version of a backyard bonfire in your walls (National Fire Protection Association, 2021).

If you find mice in your walls, it’s time to act fast before they start charging rent. Let’s dive into some low-cost ways to handle these unwanted guests—and, for those who are tired of the “cat-and-mouse” game, we’ll even cover the only real way to kick them out for good.

Low-Cost Options for Dealing with Mice

• Set Traps: This is a classic move. It’s like going to your toolbox, grabbing a hammer, and feeling like a real-life MacGyver—except, of course, the hammer is a trap, and you’re dealing with small, furry squatters instead of spies. You’ve got options: snap traps, live traps, electronic traps. All fairly cheap, ranging from $2 to $20 depending on your level of vengeance (Home Depot, 2023). Place them where you’ve seen those little buggers or suspect they’re hiding. Pro tip: a dab of peanut butter works wonders here. Yes, mice have good taste.
• Seal up Entry Points: Mice are nature’s gymnasts—they can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, which is about as impressive as it is horrifying (CDC, 2022). So grab some caulk, steel wool, or that spray-foam stuff, and start plugging holes. If you’re like most of us, this might also involve cursing under your breath and questioning your home maintenance skills. But hey, focus on the prize: fewer mice.
• Keep Food Sealed: Nothing says “welcome” like a bag of chips left wide open on the counter. Mice are attracted to food like kids to a candy store, except they have zero concept of personal space. They’ll gladly nibble through your favorite snacks, contaminate whatever they touch, and leave droppings like confetti. So keep your food in sealed containers, and sweep up those crumbs. Mice may only be a few inches long, but the diseases they carry—like salmonella and hantavirus—are the real party poopers (CDC, 2021).
• Use Natural Deterrents: Ah yes, peppermint oil, mothballs, and good vibes. Some people say these things work, but studies say mice just laugh in their little mousy way and carry on (Pest Management Science, 2020). So unless you’re going for the aromatherapy approach, skip it. Better yet, save that peppermint oil for your own relaxation after a long day of trap-setting.

Ok, ok, so your probably saying that I’ve tried all of these methods myself and, guess what, they just don’t work that well.  If they did work, we wouldn’t be writing this article!  We feel your pain!

How to Find Mouse Holes | Video

Extent of Damage Mice Can Cause

• Property Damage Costs: Mice have a nasty habit of gnawing on just about everything, especially wiring, insulation, and wood. And here’s the kicker: they’re responsible for a staggering $20 billion in damage globally every year. That’s a lot of chewed wires and insulation flakes. The NFPA even says rodents are behind up to 20% of undetermined fires, which just means your new “roommates” may also moonlight as pyromaniacs (PestWorld, 2023).
• Health Risks: Mice are walking disease factories. They carry over 35 diseases, including hantavirus, listeria, and salmonella. You don’t have to come face-to-face with one to get sick; all it takes is a bit of their, um, “leftovers” on your countertop. And it doesn’t stop there—fleas, mites, and ticks can pick up these germs and bring them to you, free of charge. Fun stuff (WHO, 2022).
• Rapid Reproduction: A single female mouse can birth up to 10 litters a year, with each litter producing 5-6 squeaky new freeloaders. That’s around 60 mice annually, all cozily multiplying in your walls (American Society of Mammalogists, 2023). In other words, if you’re not dealing with a serious problem yet, just give it a few weeks.

What is the cost of mouse damage to a home?

So, you’ve chosen the “low-cost” route, huh? Sure, it’s fine… until it’s not. Let’s say you finally decide to sell your house, only to have the home inspector uncover a mouse disaster in your walls. And here’s where things get messy, literally and financially. Once mice make themselves at home, they leave urine, droppings, and nest materials—often inside walls, insulation, and other hard-to-reach places. This not only poses a health risk but also affects the air quality in your home, especially if their droppings begin to mold or decay.

Insulation and Structural Damage: Mice tend to chew through insulation, creating gaps that affect your home’s energy efficiency. Damaged insulation means higher heating and cooling bills, and replacing it isn’t cheap—homeowners can expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 to replace damaged insulation in just one area (HomeAdvisor, 2023).

Cleanup and Decontamination Costs: Once the mice are gone, cleaning up the mess is another big expense. A professional cleanup service specializing in rodent decontamination can run between $500 and $1,500, depending on the level of contamination and damage to your home’s interior. These services are crucial, as improper handling of mouse droppings and urine can release harmful pathogens into the air, increasing the risk of diseases like hantavirus and salmonella (Environmental Protection Agency, 2023).

Impact on Home Resale: The news gets worse if you’re planning to sell. A documented mouse infestation can deter potential buyers and reduce your home’s value. If an inspector finds signs of an infestation or damage, you may have to pay for repairs or risk a price reduction of thousands of dollars. In competitive markets, a history of rodent infestation can drop property values by 5% to 10%, potentially costing you tens of thousands in lost equity (Real Estate Reports, 2023).

A Real Solution: Sealing up Your Home for Mice

Look, I’m all for a good DIY project. But if you’re serious about keeping these mini-menaces out for good, you’ve got to seal up your home tighter than a drum. Sounds easy? Not so fast. There’s a reason professionals get paid for rodent-proofing: it’s a complex job. Here’s why you might want to rethink doing it yourself:

• Understanding Structural Weaknesses: Sure, you can seal a few holes here and there, but mice are incredibly adept at finding weak spots you’d never even notice. Professionals know exactly where to look for hidden gaps around vents, pipes, crawlspaces, and foundation cracks—areas most of us wouldn’t think to check.
• Equipment and Materials: Rodent-proofing isn’t just a matter of grabbing a few cans of spray foam and some steel wool. Proper sealing requires specialized materials that can withstand gnawing and prevent entry over time. Professional-grade caulks, heavy-duty metal flashing, and specific types of screening aren’t items you’d typically have lying around the garage.
• Safety and Accessibility: Sealing every entry point requires climbing ladders, getting on the roof, and working in tight, often dirty spaces. Without the right equipment—like tall ladders and protective gear—it’s both risky and exhausting. Pest-proofing pros are trained and equipped to tackle these areas efficiently and safely.
• Avoiding Future Costs: Think about it: even if you managed to seal some entry points, mice only need a hole the size of a dime to get back in. Missing even one tiny spot means you could be dealing with an infestation all over again, which translates into higher costs for ongoing fixes and cleanup. A professional, on the other hand, ensures a thorough job the first time around, helping you avoid recurring infestations and repairs.

If you’re ready to get serious, call a pro. They’ll inspect your home, make recommendations, and handle the sealing like the experts they are. After all, the only good mouse in your house is one that stays outside.