Mice

How to Get Rid of Mice:

1. Identify the problem. Check for typical evidence of a mouse infestation using our Identification of Rodents Table.
2. Bait > Place NO Rats & Mice One Feed, NO Rats & Mice Bait Blocks,  NO Rats & Mice Eliminator Bait Blocks or NO Rats & Mice Dual Action Bait & Powder at strategic, safe points, inside and outside affected buildings, in order to reduce populations around the building and to deal with individuals that enter, before an infestation can take hold.
3. Bait Stations > For safety and effective control of rodents use NO Mice One Feed Bait Stations and NO Rats One Feed Bait Stations.
4. Trap > Snap traps are the safe and effective way to catch mice. Traps can be used in conjunction with rodenticides helping catch mice that have taken bait so the bodies can be removed. Snap traps can also be used where rodenticides cannot be placed. See NO Mice Mouse Traps and NO Rats & Mice One Feed Bait
5. Proof  > Check for possible rodent entry points. Mice can get through gaps as small as the width of a pencil. Seal gaps under doors, around pipe work and cables. Cut vegetation away from roofs where it could help rodents get onto eaves and enter.

• More information on identifying rodents

You may hear a scurrying or gnawing sound in your roof space or under the floor as the first indication of infestation. Or perhaps you find a bar of chocolate half eaten in a cupboard. More alarming would be an electrical problem, caused by rodents gnawing though your wiring. With such signs it may be difficult to say whether you have rats or mice.

If droppings are found, the identification is much easier. Rat droppings are much larger, typically one inch (25mm) long and with a characteristic pointed end. Mouse droppings are less than 1/4 inch (4mm) long and usually more numerous. A mouse can produce around 80 droppings in a day!

If you want to know which species you have an infestation of try the ID Table.

The species of rodent (rats and mice) found in New Zealand are:

• The brown rat, Norway Rat or water rat, scientific name - Rattus norvegicus
• The roof rat, black rat or ship rat, scientific name - Rattus rattus
• The Kiore, polynesian rat scientific name - Rattus exulans
• The house mouse, scientific name - Mus musculus

Mouse Facts

• Mice can get through a gap as narrow as 6 mm.
• The home range of mice may be only 3-10 m.
• Mice are inquisitive and usually do not exhibit the neophobia (fear of new things) that their rat 'cousins' do.
• Mice almost continually dribble urine.
• Mice have poor eyesight but have an excellent appreciation of their position in their environment.

It is important to keep all toxic baits out of reach of children, pets and other non-target animals both from a safety point of view and from the point of view of finding the best place for rodents to find and eat the bait. Ideal bait sites are roof and ceiling voids, behind cupboards, fridges, freezers, etc.

• View the 1-2-3 Rodent Control Programme
• Watch the Videos on How to Get Rid of Rodents
  • How to Identify Rodents
  • How to Choose the Best Solution for Rodents
  • How to Use Rat and Mice Bait Stations
  • How to Prevent Rodent Infestations
  • Tips and Trick for Using Rodenticides
  • How to Stay Safe with Rodenticides