Why You're Seeing More Mice After Catching One, And How to Stop Them

Okay. Let's say you caught a mouse. Congratulations! It is challenging to catch a mouse. But then the noises behind your walls continue at night, or you notice a few droppings in the pantry. What’s going on? Should you set more traps, try something different, or just wait it out? It can feel overwhelming.

Let’s break down why seeing more mice after catching one is common and what you can do to regain control of your home.

mice searching for food inside hampton roads home

What Happens After You Catch a Mouse?

Catching one mouse doesn’t always mean your rodent problem is solved. The best-case scenario is that there really was only one mouse, and once you seal the entry points in your exterior, you can enjoy a mouse-free home.

Unfortunately, that’s not usually the case. More often, you might notice one of these scenarios:

You continue to catch mice and find signs of activity like droppings, gnawed items, or scratching noises.
You don’t catch more mice, but you keep finding evidence, like a few droppings here and there or chewed pantry items.
You don’t see signs of mice, but hear them scurrying and squeaking behind walls, in the attic, or other hidden spaces.

The key issue with DIY control is that it rarely addresses the source. Mice are excellent at hiding and reproducing, often establishing nests in secluded areas. Without treating the entire infestation, catching one mouse can actually be misleading; you might already be dealing with a full-blown infestation.

How to Get Rid of Mice and Keep Them Out

Effective mouse control isn’t just about setting traps; it’s a science. Licensed pest management professionals have the training to tackle rodent problems safely and thoroughly. Here’s a proven approach we use at Getem Services for homes and businesses in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and across Hampton Roads:

Inspection: We identify mouse activity, locate mouse nests, and find entry points.
Exclusion: Professional-grade materials are applied to seal entry points and prevent reinfestation.
Control: We place appropriate traps indoors and exterior rodent bait stations as needed.
Follow-up: We return weekly for three weeks to monitor progress and ensure the problem is fully resolved.

This comprehensive approach tackles the rodent problem at its source, behind walls, in crawl spaces, and wherever mice nest, rather than just reacting to surface signs like droppings or noises.

Preventing a Mouse Infestation

Once you’ve addressed an active mouse problem, prevention is key. Understanding mouse behavior helps you anticipate and block their access. Here are practical ways to reduce the chances of a future rodent problem:

Maintain good sanitation
Mice follow food. Keep counters and floors clean, store food in sealed containers, and remove crumbs.
Control vegetation
Overgrown lawns and shrubs create hiding spots. Keep your property tidy to reduce cover for mice.
Declutter and secure storage
Mice hide in tight spaces and behind stored items. Using containers with lids helps deter activity.
Move bird feeders away from your home
Seeds attract mice. Keeping feeders at a distance helps prevent visits.
Complete home maintenance tasks
Repair damaged wood, replace weatherstripping, and apply vent covers to eliminate entry points.
Trim roof-adjacent branches and install rodent guards
Mice can access your home from above, so keeping trees trimmed and pipes protected helps reduce risk.

Addressing potential food sources, hiding places, and entry points can significantly lower the likelihood of seeing another mouse or a full-blown infestation in your home.

Don’t Forget the Crawl Space

Crawl spaces are a favorite location for mice to build nests. Dark, secluded, and often damp, these areas allow mice and rats to move freely into the rest of your home if left unprotected. Our solutions for moisture-prone crawl spaces include, but are not limited to:

Clean-out: Remove debris that may harbor mice and other pests.
Encapsulation: Seal the space.
Ventilation and dehumidification: Keep the space dry and less attractive to rodents.
Vapor barrier installation: Protect against moisture that encourages pest activity.

A well-maintained crawl space helps prevent mouse nests from forming and protects your home from other moisture-loving pests, like termites and carpenter ants.

Stop a Mouse Problem Before It Starts

You don’t have to wait until a mouse infestation takes over. Regular home maintenance tasks combined with professional pest control services help keep your home mouse-free year-round. Even if you only notice a few droppings, acting early can prevent a minor problem from turning into a full-blown infestation.

For effective, lasting results, Getem Services is your best ally. Whether you’re looking for rodent control or an ongoing home pest control plan (that targets rodents and other house-infesting pests), you can rely on our locally owned and family-operated pest control company to help!

This blog was originally published on August 24, 2024, and has been updated to reflect the most up-to-date information.