Droppings
Mouse droppings are small, 3 to 8 mm long, dark and pointed at the ends, a bit like grains of rice. Mice produce a lot of them, scattered wherever they travel: in kitchen drawers, cupboards, under the sink, behind the cooker and along skirting boards.
Nibbled food and packaging
Chewed cereal boxes, bread bags, biscuits, chocolate and pet food are typical. Mice nibble small amounts from many places rather than eating one thing.
Noises
Light scratching and scurrying in walls, ceilings, under floors or behind kitchen units, usually in the evening and at night.
Smell
A stale, musky smell in cupboards or enclosed spaces, which gets stronger with larger infestations.
Nests
Mice shred paper, cardboard, fabric and insulation to build nests in quiet, warm places such as behind appliances, in wall voids, under the bath, in the loft or at the back of cupboards.
Grease marks and footprints
Small smudges along skirting boards and around holes, and tiny footprints in dusty areas.
Pets acting strangely
Cats and dogs often notice mice first, staring at gaps behind appliances or pawing at kitchen units.
What to do next
Mice breed quickly: a female can have a litter every three to four weeks. Clean up droppings safely, store food in sealed containers and get treatment started early. See our mouse control service.
Cleaning up droppings safely
- Open windows and wear rubber gloves
- Spray droppings with disinfectant and leave for a few minutes
- Wipe up with paper towels rather than sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings
- Bag the waste, disinfect the area and wash your hands
Questions and answers
Does one mouse mean an infestation?
Usually there are more. Mice live in family groups and breed quickly.
Why do I have mice when my home is clean?
Mice come in for warmth and shelter as well as food, and in flats and terraces they travel through shared voids from next door.
Will mice go away on their own?
Very rarely. They need treatment and the gaps they use need sealing.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.