PEST PREVENTION FIELD GUIDE

Signs of mice: safe first steps and when to call

Droppings, gnaw marks, scratching and damaged packaging can indicate rodent activity. A mouse sighting does not tell you the scale of an infestation.

What to do first

1. Protect food in durable sealed containers and empty refuse regularly.
2. Inspect accessible gaps near doors and pipes; discuss rodent-resistant exclusion with a qualified provider.
3. Keep people and pets away from droppings and follow local public-health cleanup instructions.

What to avoid

Never sweep or vacuum dry droppings. Do not use loose poison or improvised baits where children, pets or wildlife could encounter them.

When to get expert help

Seek a qualified pest professional for active rodent activity, contamination, recurring entry or difficult-to-reach nesting sites.

Further guidance

Read Health Canada's pest-control tips and check local public-health recommendations. If a pesticide is considered in Canada, choose a product with a PCP registration number authorized for the pest and application site and follow its label precisely.

Educational information only, not a species diagnosis or professional inspection. Updated October 11, 2026.