If you hear scratching at night, take it seriously. If you see droppings, act now—a Mouse Exterminator can help resolve your pest problem quickly.
This article gives you a short severity checklist, a clear cost guide, the seven questions to ask a mouse pro, and a homeowner action plan you can use today. If you’re in the GTA, use Bug Managers — a licensed, insured, eco-friendly local team that offers free, itemized quotes — as the baseline for what “good” looks like.
How bad is it? Signs of mice and how urgently to call a pro
- Fresh droppings along cupboards, pantries or baseboards
- New gnaw marks on packaging, wood, or insulation
- Grease smears or dark runways on walls and baseboards
- Shredded paper, fabric or nesting material in hidden spaces
- Nighttime scratching or scurrying; daytime sightings
- Chewed wires or insulation
- Strong musky or urine smell in enclosed areas
Read the signs fast. Fresh droppings are dark and moist; old ones look gray and crumbly. Grease smudges mark regular runways. Daytime activity usually means a larger, established problem—not a one-off visitor.
Low
Isolated droppings or a single sighting. Action: set traps and monitor. Call a pro within a week if it continues.
Moderate
Multiple droppings, nests, grease trails, or daytime sightings in more than one room. Action: call a professional within 48–72 hours. DIY trapping often fails once breeding starts.
Severe
Constant activity, visible nests or babies, chewed wiring, pervasive odors, or damage to insulation. Action: same-day professional intervention. This is a health and fire risk—don’t wait.
Quick warning: mice spread pathogens and chew wiring. That’s a public-health problem and a genuine fire hazard. If you’re past “low,” escalate quickly. Bug Managers offers same-day triage in the GTA for clear emergencies.
What a reputable mouse exterminator actually does (and what works)
Pros don’t spray and leave. A real solution inspects, removes, seals, and follows up. Anything less is a placebo.
Full inspection. The technician checks exterior entry points, attic and crawl spaces, wall voids, and common runways. They map activity before choosing a strategy.
Trapping. Inside the home, traps are the primary tool. Snap traps and electronic traps provide immediate, verifiable results and avoid the unpredictability of poisons in walls.
Baiting. Outdoors and in inaccessible voids, tamper‑resistant bait stations are used. Indoor rodenticides are used sparingly because of pets, children, and the risk of dead mice in walls.
Exclusion. Sealing holes, vents, and gaps is the long-term fix. A trapped and poisoned mouse problem will return if holes stay open.
Sanitation and advice. Pros will point out food sources, fix moisture issues, and recommend storage and cleanup steps that reduce attractants.
Effectiveness notes: snap traps are highly effective when placed correctly; modern electronic traps are even more reliable. Poisons work but create dead‑animal problems and secondary‑poisoning risks. Expect a 30–60 minute inspection on the first visit, traps placed that same day, exterior baiting if needed, and a clear follow-up plan with a quote for any exclusion work.
How much you’ll pay — one-time jobs vs ongoing plans (what to expect)
Headline numbers: a one-time professional mouse job typically runs about $150–$550. Recurring monitoring plans are usually $90–$150 per visit, or $350–$1,000 for seasonal/annual packages.
What drives price: how many mice, how many entry points, home size and construction, region (expect GTA premiums), and whether you want exclusion work or only an initial treatment. Repairs, wiring fixes, and cleanup add cost.
Practical rule: always ask for an itemized written estimate that lists inspection, trapping, baiting, exclusion labor and materials, follow-up visits, and any guarantees. Very cheap quotes often cut corners on proofing and follow-up — that’s false economy.
For clarity: Bug Managers provides free, itemized quotes and separates “initial treatment” from “optional proofing” so you can compare apples to apples.
Seven questions to ask before you hire (and the answers you want)
Bring these seven questions to the call or the doorstep. Demand answers you understand.
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Are you licensed and insured?
Why it matters: licensing shows legal compliance and training; insurance protects you if something goes wrong. Red flag: refuses to provide numbers or proof.
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What exact methods will you use indoors and outdoors?
Why it matters: you need to know whether they trap, bait, or both and where poisons will be placed. Red flag: vague answers or “we just spray” language.
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Will you seal entry points and include proofing work?
Why it matters: sealing is the only long-term fix. Red flag: “that’s extra and not necessary.”
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Do you guarantee the job? For how long and what does that cover?
Why it matters: a warranty shows confidence and sets expectations for follow-ups. Red flag: vague “we’ll come back” with no timeframe.
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What is the timeline and how many visits are typical?
Why it matters: manage disruption and costs. Red flag: no timeline or “we’ll see how it goes” responses.
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How do you protect children and pets?
Why it matters: safety is non-negotiable; tamper-resistant devices are standard. Red flag: heavy indoor poison use with no safeguards.
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Can I get an itemized written quote and a clear cancellation/refund policy?
Why it matters: you must compare offers and avoid surprises. Red flag: “no paperwork” or refusal to put guarantees in writing.
Red flags, guarantees, and the paperwork you should demand
If a company won’t show credentials, walk away. No exceptions.
Red flags to watch for: no licence or refusal to show it; no proof of liability insurance; pressure to pay cash or sign immediately; vague verbal guarantees with no timeframe or exclusions; offering only indoor poisons or glue traps as the primary solution; refusal to provide an itemized scope or follow-up schedule.
Get this in writing: the full scope of work and methods to be used; an itemized price with optional items clearly marked; licence and insurance numbers; guarantee length and what triggers free re-visits; a dead‑animal disposal and cleanup policy; and a follow-up schedule plus cancellation terms. Good contractors sign this paperwork. Bug Managers, for example, supplies itemized estimates, proof of insurance, and a written guarantee — that’s the standard to expect.
Homeowner’s checklist: before, during and after the visit
Before the visit
Clear counters and cupboards and store food in sealed containers. Move furniture away from walls so the tech can see runways. Photograph obvious droppings or damage. Keep kids and pets out of the work area.
During the visit
Ask the tech to show you entry points and the evidence they found. Request a simple map or photos of trap and bait placements. Get a written follow-up plan with dates for rechecks or proofing work.
After the visit
Clean droppings with gloves and disinfectant — don’t dry-sweep or vacuum droppings that could aerosolize pathogens. Seal obvious small holes yourself if you’re handy; schedule professional rodent‑proofing for larger repairs. Place snap traps along walls as an interim measure if comfortable. Call immediately if you see daytime activity during a warranty period.
Long-term prevention: seal holes larger than 1/4″, screen vents, trim vegetation away from the house, and secure trash and compost.
Triage with the severity rubric. Call only licensed pros. Ask the seven questions. Get everything in writing. Seal the holes afterward.
Don’t trade time for cheap fixes. If mice matter to you, hire right — and fix the holes for good. If you’re in the GTA and want a free, itemized quote from a licensed, insured local team using eco‑friendly methods, contact Bug Managers.
