Hunters study the tracks and droppings of the animals they hunt, so they can zero in on the kill. It makes sense that we should do the same when trying to eradicate pests from our house. So if you're looking to protect your home against mice, this is the place to start. 

It’s not raisins you see, and it certainly isn’t leftover Halloween candy on the kitchen floor. It’s mouse poop. Yes, your suspicions are correct. You have critters sneaking through your house at night, and you should be concerned. At the first sight of poop, inspect the rest of your home for mouse droppings and then call the professionals. Here is the complete guide to doing mouse poop patrol in your home.

Mouse Poop Guide

What does mouse poop look like?

There are many things you can learn from mouse droppings. The size of the mouse that left it. The possible number of mice infesting your home. And whether or not they are still active.

First of all, you won’t notice a problem from a single piece of feces. It is not uncommon for mice to leave more than 50 pellets per day around your home. In fact, a single mouse can leave behind 70 droppings a day. Some say this number can be as much as 150! That's a lot of poo, folks. So, your first sign that a mouse left those droppings is the sheer quantity. The greater the amount of mouse poop you find around your home, the larger the infestation.

Rarely will you see the mouse or mice that left the droppings on your floor. They are nocturnal, so they are most active when you sleep at night. Mouse poop in the kitchen and other areas of the home are how most people know they have a mouse problem. 

If you discover several droppings of different sizes, this is a good indication that mice are breeding in your walls. Varied sizes mean babies are running around.

Is it mouse poop or cockroach poop?
Sometimes cockroach droppings are mistaken for mouse droppings, they do have many visual similarities. But while large roach droppings are brown or black, depending on the species, and cylindrical, like mouse poop, these droppings also contain ridges throughout the fecal matter. Mouse droppings, on the other hand, do not contain these ridges, tend to be larger, and contain short hairs. However, if you find a smear on the wall, you can know for sure that was a cockroach.

How is mouse poop shaped?

Mouse poop is brown or black, and it is small. The average size is like a grain of rice, and it is found in piles. Mouse droppings are usually about a fourth of an inch and spindle-shaped. If you look closely, you'll notice that they are fat in the middle and taper to a point. Many times, they will also bend in an arch.

What color is mouse poop? 

Fresh droppings will be shiny and black, with a wet look to them. When squashed, they will have a consistency of putty. Fresh droppings means an active infestation. Call a professional and have the mice safely removed. Old droppings have a grayish, moldy, dusty look to them, and crumble when squished.The age of the droppings can help you determine if the mice are still active in your home. 

Where will you find mouse poop in the house?

If you have mice, the most common place you will find mouse poop is in the kitchen. This is because your pantry, cabinets, and counters provide mice with an unlimited food source. Mice, and cockroaches, often leave droppings in the back of your silverware drawer, in or behind food boxes, and under the kitchen sink. Mice poop can also be found in bedrooms, if food is present or was at one time. Mice enjoy garages, attics, and basements, especially if you store bird food, suet, and extra food in these areas.

The age of the droppings can help you determine if the mice are still active in your home. Old droppings have a grayish, dusty look to them, and crumble when squished. 

Okay, you checked all the boxes and it's definitely mouse poop. Now what?

The Dangers of Mouse Poop

When you detect mouse poop in your home, you should be worried about more than the mice eating your food. You need to worry about them building nests in your walls, damage to your home, and damage to your health, too. 

Mice are known to spread diseases, viruses, and bacterial illnesses that can make you, your kids, and your pets sick. Mice carry salmonella, hantavirus, leptospirosis, hemorrhagic fever, and rat-bite fever. If you have pets, mice can bite them and give them fleas, too.

Cleaning Mouse Poop

Do not try to tackle mouse poop on your own. If you sweep, wipe, or touch mouse poop, you can become ill. When you wipe mouse poop or touch it with your hands, the urine, poop, and saliva can carry diseases. 

If you remove mouse poop before the pros arrive, Do not touch them with your fingers. You must do so with a mask and your hands completely covered. DO NOT VACUUM OR SWEEP mouse poop. Doing so will stir it up and release airborne particles into the air. Use rubber gloves and long pants and sleeves. Dispose of the mouse poop in a bag, seal the bag, and then throw it out. You must also dispose of the gloves and the clothes you were wearing as well. Clean the area with bleach. 

Call the Pros

Do not try to tackle mouse poop on your own. This is not a do-it-yourself pest problem. An infestation of mice is dangerous and you can become ill. Mouse urine and feces contaminate food storage areas and utensils. These areas need to be cleaned, and your home needs to be sealed from future infestation. Trapping and removing them will not keep your home safe from the health risks of this pest.

Call the professionals at Thomas Pest Services for safe and thorough cleaning. Thomas Pest Services offer complete expert rodent service to achieve and maintain a mouse-free environment! Call our offices today.