Finding a professional exterminator for mice infestation is easier than you’d think. In our guide, you will find:
- Should you call for a mice exterminator?
- When should you call for an exterminator?
- How much does a mice exterminator cost?
- What to discuss with your mice exterminator
- How to screen for mice exterminators
- How to take care of pets during treatment
- What to do when the exterminator leaves
- Should you tell your neighbors?
Deciding whether or not to call a mice exterminator can often be a challenging one. We recommend Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive to get rid of mice in your home. These exterminators have some of the best-trained professionals who can use traps, baits, and other chemically treated solutions, which can be dangerous if not handled correctly.
For quotes from Orkin, call 877-831-3660, or fill out this form.
For Terminix quotes, you can reach them at 866-506-2303 or with this form.
Ed has been working in the pest control industry for years helping 1,000's of homeowners navigate the world of insect and rodent management. He manages Pest Strategies now helping homeowners around the world!
Table Of Contents
| National Average Cost | Cost Range | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $325 | $150 – $500 | $100 | $700 |
How Are Mouse Extermination Prices Calculated?
Professional exterminators use various ways to determine the price you pay to eliminate mice from your home. Here, we give you a few of the most common examples.
Infestation Level
Pest control companies use the infestation level as a guide to determine how much time they’ll need to get rid of your mouse problem. The longer the technician stays in your home, the more you’ll have to pay.
They also calculate how much material they’ll need. For example, suppose you’ve seen one or two mice running around in your kitchen at night. For that, your price will be between $150 and $200.
However, if you’ve noticed mice during the day in almost every room of your house, expect to pay $500 or more. That’s because the infestation level is presumed to be high by the technician. The fact that you’re seeing mice at all hours, day or night, verifies it.
Square Footage
Most houses under 2,000 square feet will get charged between $300 and $500 for mouse extermination services. However, when your home pushes beyond 3,000 square feet, the exterminator will take notice.
However, there’s no need to panic if you have a large home. No one’s coming to measure it with a yardstick. Just be aware, you could pay a few more dollars than your neighbor, who happens to have a smaller house.
Nest Location
Mice are small critters. So, they tend to nest in tight places. If your technician has a difficult time getting to them, it may cost you more.
For example, it’s best to ensure that your crawl space is accessible when the technician arrives at your house. Also, it’s advisable to open all storage closets and cabinets where you’ve seen signs of activity.
The more you help your technician increase their efficiency, the less the service will typically cost you.
Treatment Methods
Trapping for mice is the preferable method for most exterminators, especially for residential service. However, it’s the most time-consuming technique, as well.
For that reason, they could charge you a premium price. So, be sure to ask if a follow-up service is included in the overall cost. If it isn’t, there should be.
On rare occasions, the technician may set out bait stations. However, they still should set at least a few traps. If not, it’s okay to ask them to do so.
The best exterminators will plug the pipe entry points for you as a courtesy as well. This step doesn’t take long, and it ensures you’ll be happy with the overall service.
Service Frequency
Many pest control companies include mice in their monthly service guarantee. That means if you see mice between visits, the technician will at least come to your home to inspect. If they detect any activity, they may place a few traps and check them during the scheduled visit.
This type of arrangement offers you a huge advantage over one-time service calls where there are typically no guarantees. Additionally, with annual contracts, you’re covered for a wide range of pests, including mice.
Pest control agreements usually cost between $40 and $70 per month in most states. However, you may get hit with an initial visit fee for clean-outs of large infestations. For that, expect to pay from $100 to $150.
If monthly visits don’t sound appealing, you may wish to opt for quarterly service. These contracts run from $100 to $300, and they cover the same types of pests as monthly service visits.
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When To Call a Mouse Exterminator
There are quite a few reasons why you may want to contact an exterminator concerning your mouse problem. Here are some of the more important ones to consider.
- The infestation level has become unmanageable
- You don’t have time to devote to performing your own pest control
- It can be a dirty job, especially while handling dead mice
- You may not have all the equipment on hand
- You need results fast
If any of these are your concerns, you may want to contact an exterminator right away. Many will be glad to answer your questions, and they’ll also give you an idea of treatment costs, so you know exactly what to expect.
Signs and Causes of Mouse Infestations
Several signs of mouse activity will clue you in on where infestations are in your home. Here are the most common ones.
Mouse Droppings
Mouse fecal matter looks like a collection of tiny black footballs scattered throughout the nest. Fresh droppings are shiny and tapered at both ends. However, older ones turn brown and crusty.
Mouse droppings may be scattered, signifying light activity. In contrast, large numbers in a confined space can signal a nesting area. Or it can simply indicate a favorite location for food.
Live Activity
Mice are mostly active at night. So, if you see several during the day, it’s a bad sign. It means that nesting areas are full, and they’re struggling to find more locations to infest.
Noise
Mice are noisy little critters. They make squeaking sounds when communicating with each other. You can often hear them scampering around, especially at night.
Scratching noises are also prevalent with large infestations. This behavior signifies that they are highly active. Unfortunately, that means they are probably increasing in population around your home as well.
Scratching, Clawing, Chewing Marks
Mice don’t generally do as much damage as rats. They typically refrain from chewing through electrical wiring.
However, mice will scratch and claw at wooden cabinet doors. Sometimes you’ll see numerous chewing marks in these areas. Those are both signs of live mouse activity.
What Causes Mouse Infestations?
Mice are extremely adaptable. Although many animals prey on them, they still manage to survive in almost any environment.
That’s why they cling so close to humans. People tend to provide them with an easy source of food, water, and shelter. So, when you limit those items, they will venture elsewhere.
In contrast, certain conditions make your home more attractive to mice. For example:
- Easy access to harborage areas. Storage sheds make excellent nesting spots for mice. Woodpiles can also attract rodents. In addition, crawl spaces and basements provide shelter from predators.
- Easy access to food. Mice love dog food. The grainy textures and nutritious ingredients attract all sorts of wildlife pests. One kibble can supply a family of mice with enough food for a week.
- Easy access to water. One of the most difficult obstacles for a rodent’s survival is finding water. Irrigation and sprinkler systems make ideal areas for mice and other rodents. That constant drip under your sink will do nicely, also.
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Health Risks of Mice
Mice carry several diseases they spread to humans. Here are three examples:
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
HPS is a respiratory condition caused by breathing dust particles from mouse feces. Common symptoms include:
- Elevated heart rate
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Fluid build-up in lungs
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
Mice transmit hemorrhagic fever through the same pathways as hantavirus. However, the symptoms are vastly different. For example:
- Headache
- Chills
- Abdominal pain
- Increased heart rate
- Kidney failure
Leptospirosis
There are between 100 and 150 reported cases of leptospirosis in the U.S. each year. However, they are usually isolated to tropical areas such as Florida, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.
Leptospirosis is a blood infection that spreads through contamination of water sources by rodent feces and urine. Symptoms of the disease include:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Bleeding in the lungs
- Meningitis
