House Mouse
Mus musculus
A small gray-brown rodent with big ears that squeezes through dime-sized gaps to nest indoors.
Size
Body 2.5–4 in; tail about as long as the body
Color
Dusty gray to light brown
Where
Attics, wall voids, kitchens, pantries, and cluttered storage — anywhere near food and shelter.
How to Identify It
- Small body with large ears and a pointed nose
- Thin tail roughly as long as the head and body
- Big eyes relative to the head
- Leaves small, rice-grain-sized droppings
Signs of a Problem
- Small pointed droppings in drawers, pantries, and along walls
- Gnaw marks on food packaging and small gaps widened to entry holes
- Scratching or scurrying in walls and ceilings at night
- Shredded paper, insulation, or fabric nests
House Mouse vs. Rat
| House Mouse | Rat | |
|---|---|---|
| Body size | 2.5–4 in | 7–10 in |
| Ears | Large for the head | Smaller relative to the head |
| Droppings | 1/8–1/4 in, pointed | 1/2–3/4 in, blunt |
| Entry gap | ~1/4 in (a dime) | ~1/2 in (a quarter) |
Is It Dangerous?
Moderate riskMice contaminate food, gnaw wiring (a fire risk), and can spread bacteria and allergens through droppings and urine.
Did You Know?
A house mouse can slip through a gap the size of a dime — about 1/4 inch — so sealing entry points is key to keeping them out.
Rodent cleanup and attic-to-crawl-space care in Hampton Roads
Trapping and exclusion remove the rodents; cleanup removes what they left behind. We can remove contaminated nesting material and use a fogging machine for disinfectant treatments in attics and crawl spaces when the space and materials call for it. In some homes, up to 40% of the air you breathe can come through attic and crawl-space pathways, so those areas deserve more than a trap and a quick sweep.
Infestation cleanup
Droppings, urine-marked nesting material, and damaged insulation are assessed and cleaned up after the rodent control work.
Disinfectant fogging
Where appropriate, a fogging machine helps distribute a disinfectant treatment through affected attic and crawl-space areas after contaminated material is addressed.
One family of companies
Universal Insulation Doctor handles damaged insulation, while Universal Duct Cleaning cleans affected ductwork. That is the Total Home Health promise: one coordinated path from control to restoration.
Rodent repellent application around your perimeter — included at no additional charge
Every membership subscription service now includes a rodent repellent application around the perimeter of your home. On its own it is $75 per application — with a membership it comes with your regular service at no extra cost.
Dealing with a house mouse problem?
Our local, family-owned team has protected Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — with pet- and family-safe treatments and a Pest-Free Guarantee. Get a free inspection today.
More Rodents
Ready to protect your home?
Call now or request a free quote online. Same-day service often available.
How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies
Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.
| What to compare | Universal Pest Control | Most pest control companies |
|---|---|---|
| UniGuard ProgramExclusive | Universal Pest Control Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $59/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together. | Most pest control companies Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of. |
| SmartPay financingExclusive | Universal Pest Control $0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments. | Most pest control companies Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender. |
| Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive | Universal Pest Control Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original. | Most pest control companies Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material. |
| Total Home Health Network | Universal Pest Control Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order. | Most pest control companies Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines. |
| A+ BBB rating | Universal Pest Control BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community. | Most pest control companies Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone. |
| 26+ years in business | Universal Pest Control Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced. | Most pest control companies Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common. |
| Family owned & operated | Universal Pest Control Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors. | Most pest control companies Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area. |
| Guarantees in writing | Universal Pest Control Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service. | Most pest control companies Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract. |
The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.