Inspect for mice.

Whether you have heard scratching in the loft or found droppings in the kitchen, a formal inspection provides a clear roadmap for eradication and long-term proofing. In the UK’s terraced and semi-detached housing stock, mice often move between properties, making a professional assessment vital to stop the cycle.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Internal Void Check: Inspecting lofts, roof voids, underfloor spaces, and service risers for droppings, nesting materials, and "smear marks" (grease from fur).
• Kitchen & Utility Audit: Detailed search behind kickboards, under sinks, and around integrated appliances where heat and food sources are concentrated.
• External Perimeter Survey: Checking air bricks, weep holes, damaged brickwork, and gaps around waste pipes for potential entry routes.
• Entry Point Mapping: Identifying and marking specific structural defects that require "proofing" (sealing) with wire wool, mesh, or specialist sealants.
• Monitoring Setup: Placing non-toxic tracking dust, gel, or bait boxes in high-activity areas to confirm movement patterns.
• Reporting: Providing a written summary of findings, risk levels, and a tailored treatment plan or proofing estimate.

Typical Costs

Prices for a mouse inspection vary based on your location in the UK and the size of the property. Most pest control companies charge a fixed fee for the initial survey, which may be deducted from the total cost if you proceed with a full treatment plan.

Costs are generally higher in London and the South East. If the inspection reveals a heavy infestation requiring specialist "deep cleaning" or loft insulation removal due to contamination, these services are quoted separately.

How Long Does It Take?

• Standard Terrace/Semi: 1 to 1.5 hours for a full internal and external walkthrough.
• Large Detached/Period Property: 2 to 3 hours, particularly if there are multiple cellar rooms or complex roof structures.
• Follow-up Monitoring Check: 30 to 45 minutes, usually conducted 7–14 days after the initial inspection.

DIY or Professional?

While you can buy traps at a hardware store, DIY efforts often fail because they treat the symptom rather than the cause. Mice can squeeze through gaps as small as 6mm (the width of a pencil); a professional has the training to spot these obscured entry points that homeowners often miss.

Professional pest controllers have access to higher-grade monitoring equipment and legal rodenticides not available to the general public.

If you live in a flat or a terraced house, a professional is essential to determine if the mice are coming from a neighbouring property, which may require a coordinated approach or landlord intervention.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Accreditations: Look for membership in the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) or the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA).
• Verify Qualifications: Ensure the technician holds an RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management.
• Insurance: Confirm they have public liability insurance (minimum £2 million is standard).
• Questions to Ask:
  • Do you provide a written report with photographic evidence of entry points?
  • Are your monitoring methods safe for households with pets and children?
  • Do you offer a guarantee on your proofing work?
  • Will you check the loft and sub-floor voids as part of the standard fee?

UK Regulations

• CRRU Code of Best Practice: Professionals must follow the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use to protect non-target wildlife.
• COSHH: The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations apply to any chemicals or baits used on your property.
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Pest controllers must ensure that proofing measures do not inadvertently trap or harm protected species like bats.
• Paperwork: You should receive a "site folders" or digital report detailing what products were used and where they were placed.

Common Problems

• Inaccessible Areas: If the loft hatch is blocked or floorboards can't be lifted, the inspection is incomplete. Clear these areas before the tradie arrives.
• Treating the Symptom: Putting down traps without sealing entry points (proofing) results in a "revolving door" infestation.
• Hidden Damage: Mice often chew through plastic plumbing pipes (Speedfit); an inspection should check for signs of slow leaks caused by gnawing.
• Neighbouring Issues: In UK terraces, mice often travel through the "party wall" or shared roof voids, meaning your house may be clean but still vulnerable.

Frequently Asked Questions