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Mice Control: A Recent Job & Some Homeowner Tips

Category: Holiday

Published: September 01, 2026

By Peter, Owner, Power Pest Control

What I Walked Into

September brought me to an Etobicoke home where the owner had found small droppings inside a basement storage room.

They had also heard occasional scratching near the utility area at night. A few traps had been placed in the centre of the room, but there had been no change in the activity.

During my inspection, I found evidence along the wall edges behind stored boxes. An accessible gap around a utility penetration also provided a possible route into the building.

The Problem

The concern was not limited to the mouse already moving through the basement. The property also had conditions that could make continued activity more likely.

Cardboard boxes were stored against the walls, loose pet food was kept in its original bag and several utility openings had not been properly sealed.

Mice often travel close to walls and protected edges. The traps in the middle of the room were not positioned along the areas where the evidence was concentrated.

The homeowner needed a plan that addressed both the active mouse and the conditions supporting access and shelter.

The Process

I inspected the basement, storage room, utility lines, garage connection and accessible exterior foundation areas.

I showed the homeowner the droppings, travel areas and possible entry gap. We discussed how the stored food and dense cardboard storage could make monitoring more difficult.

The control plan focused on the identified activity areas and travel routes. I also recommended transferring pet food into a sealed container, reorganizing stored belongings and addressing practical exterior openings.

The goal was to control the current activity while making the basement easier to inspect for new evidence.

The Outcome

Following service and the recommended property changes, the homeowner stopped hearing scratching near the utility area.

The reorganized storage also made it easier to inspect wall edges and notice whether new droppings appeared.

The biggest improvement was that the homeowner no longer relied on traps placed randomly around the room. They understood how evidence, travel routes and entry points work together.

DIY Advice

If you suspect mice, I recommend these practical steps:

Check wall edges for droppings, gnawing and nesting material.

Store pet food, birdseed and dry goods in sealed containers.

Keep storage boxes raised and away from walls when practical.

Inspect gaps around pipes, cables, doors and foundation openings.

Repair damaged door sweeps and weather stripping.

Avoid leaving food or pet bowls out overnight.

Do not sweep or vacuum dry rodent droppings.

When cleaning droppings, follow current public-health guidance and use appropriate disinfecting and protective procedures.

"It's brighter than before!"

— Megan

Professional Insight

Catching one mouse does not confirm that the entry problem has been resolved.

A proper inspection looks at where evidence is concentrated, how mice may be moving through the property and which accessible openings require attention.

Exclusion also needs to be handled carefully. Closing openings without considering activity already inside may create new problems or cause mice to search for another route.

Closing Thoughts

This September job was a reminder that early signs should not be ignored. A few droppings or occasional scratching may be the first visible evidence of a larger access problem.

Homeowners can make a strong start by improving food storage, reducing clutter and inspecting exterior openings before colder weather arrives.

If mouse activity continues, Power Pest Control can inspect your Etobicoke property and recommend a service plan based on the evidence we find.