A mouse problem in a Montana house is usually solved by finding the small gaps they're using, trapping or baiting the ones already inside, and blocking those gaps before the next lot follow. Mice need very little space to get in, and newer homes often have more of these openings than people expect.
Why newer homes get mice
It surprises a lot of people that a house built a few years ago can have mice. The reason is in how homes are finished. Where water pipes, gas lines, aircon pipes and electrical cables pass through an outside wall, the hole is often a bit bigger than the pipe, and nobody comes back to seal it. Garage doors on newer homes frequently leave a gap at one corner. Built-in kitchen units hide the space behind the kick plate, which connects to the back of the stove and the dishwasher, and that's where mice like to nest.
Montana's setting adds the rest. Field mice live in the veld that still borders many complexes and estates, and when building work clears more of it, or when the first cold nights arrive, they move towards shelter.
The signs
- Droppings about the size of a grain of rice, in drawers, the pantry and along the back of counters
- Chewed corners on cereal boxes, dog food bags and bread packets
- Light scratching inside walls, behind units or in the ceiling
- A musty, slightly sharp smell in a closed cupboard
- Shredded paper, fabric or insulation bundled into a nest
If the droppings are noticeably bigger and you hear heavier movement overhead, you may have rats rather than mice. Our page on rodent control in Montana explains how we handle both together.
How we deal with mice
We begin by tracking where the mice are running. That usually means pulling out the stove, checking behind the fridge and under the sink, looking at the kick plates, and walking around the outside of the house for gaps at ground level. Inside, we use traps along their runs and, where needed, tracking powder in wall voids or behind units where nobody will touch it. Outside, we place lockable bait stations near entry points so mice are dealt with before they get in. Then comes the most important part: showing you which holes to close, with what. Steel wool packed into a pipe gap and finished with sealant works well. A brush strip on the garage door helps too.
In a complex, mice can move along a row of units through shared roof spaces and cavity walls. If neighbours are seeing them too, it's worth speaking to the body corporate so the whole block can be done.
What people get wrong with mice
Treating mice like rats is the common mistake. Mice are curious rather than cautious, so they'll investigate a new trap quickly, but they also stay very close to their nest. One trap in the middle of the kitchen floor catches nothing. Several traps placed along walls, behind appliances and inside the pantry work far better. The other mistake is leaving food accessible while trying to trap them. If there's an open bag of dog pellets in the scullery, the bait has no chance.
A tip for Montana kitchens
Pull off the kick plates under your kitchen units once, with a torch, and look. In many newer homes the space underneath is open to the cavity behind the stove and the plumbing under the sink. If you see droppings there, that's your nest site. Clearing it out and blocking pipe gaps under the sink fixes more mouse problems than any amount of bait.
What does mouse control cost?
It depends on how widespread the activity is, how many traps and stations are needed and how many follow-up visits it takes. A single kitchen with a few mice is a small job. A complex where several units are affected is quoted for the block. Honestly, if you've seen one mouse once, try a couple of snap traps baited with a little peanut butter along the wall first. If you're still catching them after a week, call us.
Mice and pantry pests often go together, so see pantry pest control in Montana if you're also finding weevils or moths. For the city-wide picture, there's mouse control in Pretoria, and we treat mice in Lynnwood as well. Everything else we do locally is on the Montana pest control page.
We're SAPCA registered, with 25 years of experience, and every treatment carries a 3-month guarantee: if the mice come back in that time, so do we. Call 012 012 5526, or WhatsApp us a photo of the droppings and we'll confirm whether it's mice or rats.
Questions we get asked
How small a gap can a mouse get through?
Roughly the width of a pencil. If the head fits, the body follows, which is why unsealed pipe holes are such a common entry point.
Why do I have mice in a brand-new house?
New homes often have unsealed pipe and cable entries, gaps under garage doors and open space behind kitchen units, and Montana's open veld provides the mice.
Are mouse droppings dangerous?
They can carry bacteria, so don't sweep them dry. Spray with disinfectant, wipe up with gloves on and wash surfaces that touch food.
What bait works best in mouse traps?
A small dab of peanut butter works better than cheese. Place traps flush against the wall, where mice run.
Will mice leave on their own when it warms up?
Rarely. Once they've found food and a nest site indoors, they tend to stay and breed.