How common are mice in homes in the UK?

How common are mice in homes? UK homeowners may be wondering how likely it is that they have these little rodents living on their property…but the truth is, it’s an answer that varies depending on location.

Read on to learn more about the prevalence of mice in UK homes, the most common types of mice, how they’re attracted to certain homes and what we at Pest Stop Boys can do to help with your mice pest control problems.

Understanding the Prevalence of Mice in UK Homes

According to the British Pest Control Association, every year there are approximately 80,000 callouts for mice. Many of these callouts are in the Greater London area, but other towns and cities are also affected.

Mice like to live in places where they will be relatively undisturbed and where they have good access to sources of food and nesting materials. It’s a myth that only older properties can attract mice: even new builds can have mice pest control issues, the rodents making their way in during construction.

They also make their homes in rural buildings (farms, for example, not only offer access to human food but also crops and animal feed). Basically, wherever in the country you live you may be at risk of a mouse infestation – but the types of mice that are problematic might depend on your geographic location.

There are four common types of mice that we encounter when our mice pest control services are called out:

• House mice are the most common mouse type in the UK. They’re brown or grey in colour with hairless tails, and love to make their homes in both residential and commercial properties. They have hearty appetites which is why human-occupied spaces are a popular choice: we inadvertently provide them with plenty of food.

• Field mice are far more cautious than house mice, but that’s not to say that they never enter properties. They can be brown, grey or white and live mostly on seeds, creating underground storage areas where they keep their foraged food.

• Harvest mice are small, only 6cm long, on average. Sandy in colour, they prefer to live high up rather than in burrows. They build woven nests in bushes, long grass and hedgerows, and normally eat fruit and seeds.

• Yellow-necked mice are only found in the Midlands, Southern England and South Wales. Similar in looks to a field mouse, they have a distinctive yellow band around their necks – as well as larger ears. They normally eat seeds, nuts and insects, but their sweet tooth means they can also enter properties at night in search of food.

Impact of COVID-19 on Rodent Activity

The reliance of mice on human activity can be seen in how their behaviours changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic itself, one insurer revealed that residential rodent infestations were higher in the first half of 2020 than in the whole of 2019. They believed there were three reasons why this happened: reduced bin collections gave mice more food sources, closed restaurants and cafes forced them to look for food elsewhere, and being at home more made people more aware of mouse activity on their property.

The British Pest Control Association, though, believes that mouse infestations did not increase as a result of COVID. Instead, they say that mouse numbers in the UK follow regular cycles.

It doesn’t matter what type of property you live in: mice can still make their way in.

Older buildings are more likely to have gaps or cracks in walls, windows, ceilings, roof spaces and drains – and they only need a tiny hole to be able to squeeze in.

They can do the same in blocks of flats – as well as getting in through open doors and windows. Because of the number of people coming and going, there’s plenty of opportunity to sneak in…and plenty of options when they do make it inside.

You might think that living in a new build is great for mice control…but the same entry points apply. Disturbing land to build houses unsettles existing rodent populations and there’s plenty of time to get in while these properties are being built. What’s more, hollow walls and a fresh supply of insulation give these mice a comfortable place to nest, and an easy way to move around.

Attracting Factors for Mice in Homes

How common are mice in homes? UK residents should be aware that three things could be enticing them into their properties.

The first is the promise of warmth and shelter – especially in the colder months when the bitter weather can be challenging.

The second is food. While mice will try and avoid human contact, they love how we provide them with food sources. These can be varied: kitchen scraps, rubbish, pet food, garden plants – even the contents of your kitchen cupboards.

The third is nesting materials. Mice can use all sorts of things to build their nests: newspaper, insulation materials, food wrappers, bits chewed off clothing, stuffing from pillows or mattresses, bits of string…you may be providing them with a more luxurious abode than you’d realised.

Once they’ve settled somewhere comfortable, these rodents will breed…making mice pest control even more challenging.

The gestation period of a mouse is just 21 days. They give birth to anywhere between five and twelve live young at a time – and these young will be mature in a matter of months.

What’s more, a female mouse can become pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth: they can produce between five and ten litters per year.

With these stats, it’s easy to see how quickly a mouse population can spiral out of control if left unchecked – but luckily there’s plenty you can do to stop this happening.

DIY Prevention Tips for Mice Infestation

The good news is that there is plenty you can do in terms of mice control to keep them at bay. First and foremost is a focus on cleanliness and hygiene. Seal all the food in the kitchen so it’s not as easily accessible, and be sure your kitchen is clean and clear of crumbs and food waste. Keep your house and garden tidy and clean regularly in places that could potentially be attractive to mice: regular human activity will deter them.

Minimise any sources of nesting materials that you can, and check your property for potential entry points. If you’re still finding that mice are a problem, give Pest Stop Boys a call.

Professional Mice Control Solutions by Pest Stop Boys

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mice pest control. That’s why we assess each infestation on an individual basis, so we can choose the best – and quickest – solution for you.

We’re proud to work in line with the CRUU UK code of practice, which means we’ll always consider non-toxic options first – keeping you, your pets and your family safe.

We can be with you quickly – and we’ll not just tackle the existing problem, either. We also offer a mouse-proofing service, checking both the inside and outside of your property for entry points and blocking these to prevent future reinfestation, giving you complete peace of mind.

Get in touch to find out more about mice pest control from Pest Stop Boys.