How to get rid of mice in the loft

It's no secret that mice can get anywhere. If you think they're in your loft, fear not, there are ways you can get rid of them. Read on to find out how to get rid of mice in your loft.

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In this guide, we’ll look at the common ways that mice get into loft spaces and how you can recognise signs that you might have a mice problem in your home. We’ll also look at the best ways to get rid of mice in your loft – and keep them out.

How do mice get in loft spaces?

Mice are expert contortionists and can fit themselves through to the tiniest of holes – even gaps as small as a penny (roughly 20mm in diameter). That means there are often plenty of openings and gaps that mice can enter a loft space.

Some of the most common ways that mice get in lofts include:

Running up pipes, gutters, and drains
Through air vents
Climbing across tree branches and external structures that touch your property
Scaling telephone poles and crossing along the cables
Running vertically up walls
Climbing up structures or large objects that are positioned close to the walls of your home, e.g. bins, planters, or sheds

Common signs of mice in your loft

To help you identify the problem, here are some of the signs that you might have mice in your loft:

Mice droppings – Often one of the first signs of mice that you’ll notice are their droppings, which tend to be small, dark brown pellets with pointed ends
Squeaking or scratching noises – Another common sign that can alert you to mice in the loft is the sound of them squeaking or scratching the loft floor as they move around, particularly at night as mice tend to be nocturnal
A distinct odour – There’s no doubt that mice have their own distinct, musky odour, which you’ll soon notice if mice are in your home. And it will only get worse as mice are very speedy when it comes to building nests and multiplying
Tracks in dusty areas – Sometimes you might spot tell-tale marks in dusty parts of your loft, where mice will leave tracks of their feet and tails dragging along the floor

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How to get rid of mice in your loft

Once you’ve identified that you do indeed have mice in your loft, it’s time to get rid of your unwanted guests.

Here are some of the best ways to get rid of mice in your loft:

1. Remove food sources

Mice are constantly in search of food and it’s often one of the main reasons that they decide to take up residence in your home, so removing any food sources that they can access should be one of the first things you do.

Making sure you clean away any crumbs and food anywhere in your home, will help prevent mice coming looking for dinner.

It’s also a good idea to store all food in airtight containers, so mice won’t be able to smell the food – and that goes for pet food too. And, if you have pets, make sure you clear out their food bowls after they’ve eaten.

2. Block up any openings or access points

It can sometimes be tricky to find every opening and gap mice can use to enter your loft, but do as much as you can to seal up any openings you can find.

You can use mortar to fill holes in brickwork or, for blocking other materials, you can use weatherproof fillers, caulking, steel wool or fine wire mesh.

Repair any broken seals, seal up any holes in the roof or loft space, and pay attention to air vents, door or window frames, areas around cable entry points, and the eaves.

Blocking up all possible access points is crucial, otherwise, any other pest control methods you use may be in vain if mice still have an easy way of getting into your loft.

3. Cut back any branches close to your property

Tree branches and tall bushes often make the perfect entryways for mice to get into your loft. To stop mice from getting in, make sure you regularly cut back any trees or bushes that are close to the walls of your property.

4. Use mouse traps and/or poison

Mouse traps and poison are often an effective way of getting rid of mice in loft spaces, and there’s a wide range of traps and poison products you can choose from.

If using mouse traps or poison, just make sure that they are out of reach of children and pets.

You can also choose a humane method to catch the mice by using catch-and-release traps. If you opt for this type of trap you should check them at least once a day and if you find any mice in them, make sure you relocate them as far from your house as possible (so they don’t just come back for another visit).

5. Clear your loft of excessive clutter

Mice love clutter. Fact. It gives them the perfect place to take shelter, build their nests and multiply. If you want to get rid of mice in your loft, or deter them from coming in the first place, keep your loft as clean and clear as possible.

Ideally you want to keep all the belongings in your loft in sealed, hard-wearing boxes or containers. Avoid using cardboard boxes as mice will easily chomp their way through them and often make their new home inside.

6. Regularly empty your bins

Overflowing bins can be a real attraction for mice and if the bins outside your home are calling them over, then they’ll often start exploring the inside of your home next.

By keeping your bins firmly closed, you’ll avoid attracting mice. And if you find you have too much rubbish to fit in your outside bins, try keeping additional waste in a large sealed container until bin day.

Professional pest control to get rid of mice in lofts

One of the quickest and most effective ways to get rid of mice in your loft is to hire an experienced local pest control specialist.

An experienced local pest control service will be able to confirm if you have mice in your loft and offer the right advice and treatment to get rid of your furry little intruders.

Most professional pest control experts will be able to offer you a range of treatments, and will usually come back for at least one repeat visit to ensure that all the mice have gone.

Sometimes it may take a number of treatments to deal with the problem, but a pest control professional will be able to help until you have completely eradicated all the mice in your loft.

Wondering how much it costs to hire a pest control specialist? Check out our guide to pest control costs.

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