How to Find Mice and Rodents in Your House

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Identifying where rodents are located in your home involves several different techniques. First begin by trying to identify the type of rodent problem you have.

The house mouse is dusty gray in color and usually 2.5-4 inches long. Mice nesting areas include cluttered areas such as closets or garages and areas behind appliances. Mice eat cereals, grains, meats and seeds.

The Norway rat is grayish-brown in color and normally 7-10 inches in length. Its nesting areas include burrows in soil, sewers and basements, and the lower areas of buildings. Their diet includes cereals, grains, meats, seeds, cockroaches, fruits and shrimp.

Roof rats are black to brownish-gray and typically 7-10 inches long. The roof rat nests in attics, false ceilings, dead fronds of palm trees and upper portions of buildings. Their diet consists of fruits, berries, meats, seeds, vegetables and eggs.

Start with a good inspection to determine which type of mouse is in your house and where they are nesting. Fecal pellets are the best sign that you have an infestation. Even a small population of mice can produce a large amount of droppings in a short time. Fresh droppings are dark in color and soft to touch. After three days, they'll harden and lose color. The age of the droppings tells you if your rodent problem is current. Recent gnawing may also be evidence of a current rodent infestation.

Pathways are evident in infestations. Rodents use the same pathways from their nest to your home, for their food source. Rub marks or grease marks from oil and dirt on the rodent's skin will often appear on walls next to pathways. Sounds from their nests such as chewing and squeaking can be heard while on nighttime searches. Remember, a mouse can deposit 3,000 droplets within 24 hours!

Look for these signs to determine if you have a mouse in your house. Also, protect your home with Victor mouse traps.