How to identify house mice
- Small body 2.5–3.5 inches, large ears relative to head
- Light brown to gray fur, slender tail same length as body
- Droppings rice-grain sized, dark, pointed at both ends
Signs of an infestation
- Droppings inside drawers, pantries, under sinks, or in the garage
- Shredded paper or fabric nesting material
- Faint scratching inside walls, especially at night
- Greasy smudges around entry holes the size of a dime
Why house mice thrive in the SFV
Mice exploit the gaps every SFV home has — under dishwashers, behind stoves, around plumbing penetrations, and under garage door corners. They thrive in apartment buildings and duplexes across North Hollywood and Van Nuys where shared walls let a single infestation feed multiple units.
The Evictr treatment process
- 1Detailed interior inspection — under sinks, behind appliances, pantry corners, garage
- 2Multi-catch and snap-trap deployment in active areas
- 3Exclusion of dime-sized and larger gaps (mice squeeze through ¼ inch)
- 4Sanitation walkthrough and food-storage recommendations
- 5Follow-up monitoring until activity is zero
Prevention tips
- Store dry goods and pet food in sealed glass or hard plastic containers
- Caulk gaps where pipes and wires enter cabinets and walls
- Replace worn door sweeps and garage seals
- Vacuum behind the refrigerator monthly
Frequently asked questions
How small a gap can a mouse fit through?
A house mouse can squeeze through any opening larger than ¼ inch — roughly the diameter of a pencil. Exclusion is fussy, detailed work; it's the part of the job that determines whether the problem comes back.
Are mouse droppings dangerous?
Yes. They can carry salmonella, hantavirus, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Never sweep or vacuum dry droppings — dampen first with disinfectant and wipe up with disposable towels.
Will glue traps work?
We don't recommend glue traps. They're inhumane, less effective than properly placed snap traps, and catch non-target wildlife. Snap traps placed perpendicular to walls in active runways are the gold standard.
House Mice control across the San Fernando Valley
Evictr provides house mice treatment to homes and small commercial properties across the SFV, including: