How Common Are Mice In UK Homes?

Mice in UK homes are an absolute plague. No matter where you live, or how nice the area, there’s a good chance that you’ll pick up these pests. But how common are mice in UK homes, really? To answer this question, here are some facts about the issue.

Mice in UK homes: a bigger problem than you may think

What you first need to know about mice in UK homes is that this problem is extremely prevalent. For example, according to the BPCA (British Pest Control Association) there are about 80,000 call outs for mice every year. Not surprisingly, many of these calls come from the Greater London area.

It was found that the number of sightings drastically increased during COVID-19 lockdowns of common rodents. During this period there was a 50% increase in rodent activity. This was mostly because mice were finding it harder to find food, and therefore were coming indoors more often.

The bottom line is that mice in UK homes are extremely common even though we have a lot of mice myths. What you also need to understand is that any type of home can get them. It doesn’t matter how big or small it is, or whether it’s detached, terraced or a semi or even a flat. What’s more, it doesn’t matter how new your home is either. Even new builds can get mice, and often do. For example, mice can easily slip in during construction.

Mice in UK homes: why do they live with us?

Something else which attracts mice to homes is food and shelter. They may also be attracted by the warmth and safety of your home. When mice get into your home, they look for a dark place where they can live undisturbed. This usually means they nest inside of walls, in crawlspaces, attics, sheds and garages.

Once mice have found a place to nest they start looking for food. They also start breeding. The problem with this is that mice reproduce extremely quickly. A female can get pregnant about 5-10 times per year. They are able to produce about 3-14 offspring each time they give birth. This means a pair of mice can create 30-50 new mice per year.

The easiest way to combat mice in UK homes is by keeping your kitchen clean. Do not leave a mess which will attract mice. You’ll need to keep food properly stored. Mice can easily chew through things like pasta packets and cardboard boxes. To prevent this from happening, food should be decanted into plastic containers.

Your home should also be kept free of clutter. Mice like to hide in clutter and also use it to build their nests. If you do have mice, then putting down traps will help. That being said, these methods are not always effective. If none of the above works, then it’s probably a good idea to call in pest control who can help you get rid of mice properly.