How to Get Rid of Mice in Walls and Ceilings: Expert Tips
Scratching overhead or behind the drywall usually means mice have found the voids in your home. Here is how to get them out and keep them from coming back.
Scratching in the walls and ceilings
If you hear scratching noises in your walls or ceilings, you might have a mouse problem. Mice are not only annoying but also dangerous. They damage your home, spread diseases, and bring other unwanted pests with them. That is why it pays to learn how to get rid of mice in walls and ceilings as soon as you notice them.
Below we cover what draws mice in, the signs that tell you they are already there, and the methods that actually move them out.
What attracts mice to my home?
Mice are common household pests, and they are looking for three things.
Shelter
Mice squeeze through tiny gaps and cracks, so those need to be sealed well.
Food
They feed on any crumbs or spills they find, so store food securely and clean up regularly.
Nesting materials
They build nests using soft or fluffy items, so declutter the areas where they might hide.
You can use traps to kill mice, but keep them well away from children and pets. If your pet starts acting strangely around a wall or ceiling, that itself can be a sign of mice inside it.
How to tell if you have mice
Mice cause serious damage to a home, so spotting an infestation early matters. These are the signs to watch for.
Droppings
Small, pointed pellets or urine stains indicate mouse activity.
Nests
Mice use paper, cardboard, or fabric to build cozy nests in hidden areas.
Disturbed insulation
Mice may nest in or destroy your insulation, reducing its effectiveness.
Gnawed wood or drywall
Mice chew through various materials to create pathways and reach food sources.
Squeaking inside walls
Scratching noises or squeaks coming from the walls suggest mice are living there.
The smell of droppings or decay
A foul odor from hidden areas may signal mouse waste or dead bodies.
How to get rid of mice in walls and ceilings
Mice in your walls and ceilings damage your home and spread diseases. These are the methods homeowners reach for first.
Set up a rolling mouse bucket trap
A DIY trap that uses a rolling cylinder over a bucket of water or bait to catch mice.
Get a plank bucket trap
A similar trap that uses a wooden plank over a bucket of water or bait to catch mice.
Use an ultrasonic rodent repeller
A device that emits high-frequency sound waves that annoy mice but not humans or pets.
Deter mice with essential oils
Oils like peppermint or eucalyptus have strong smells that repel mice. Place cotton balls soaked in these oils near mouse entry points or nests.
Clear away open food and water sources
Store food securely and clean up spills to remove what draws mice in. Remove water sources like leaky pipes and standing pet bowls as well.
For the step-by-step version of trapping what is already inside and then sealing the gaps behind it, see our longer guide on getting rid of mice in your walls. If you are trying to work out whether the problem is actually over, read how to know when all the mice are gone.
What is the best way to get rid of your mouse problem?
If you suspect mice in your home, act quickly. DIY methods help, but a rodent control professional can remove the mice without opening up more of your walls and ceilings than the job needs.
Keep reading
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Read articleHearing mice above the ceiling?
Tell us where the noise is coming from and we will get a rodent control technician out to inspect your home.