Everything Calgary Homeowners Need to Know About Mice and Infestations

If you’ve ever heard scratching sounds coming from your basement or walls on a cold Calgary night, you already know how unsettling it can be. At first, you might brush it off. “Maybe it’s the pipes,” or “the house just creaks.” But then, one morning, you notice a few tiny droppings under the sink or a chewed-up cereal box in the pantry.

That’s when it hits you. It’s mice.

And once they’re inside, they don’t leave on their own. We’ve seen this countless times at Grove Pest Control. Calgary’s cold winters make homes warm, inviting places for rodents looking for shelter. The good news? Once you understand why they come in and how to spot early signs, you can get ahead of the problem before it gets serious.

Why Mice Love Calgary Homes

Calgary’s climate is a big part of the issue. When temperatures drop, mice head indoors looking for warmth and easy access to food. They only need a gap the size of a pencil to squeeze their way in.

Most of the time, it’s house mice inside city homes and deer mice out on the edges — areas like Springbank, Bearspaw, or the newer suburbs. Deer mice are slightly larger, but both can cause damage by chewing wires and contaminating food.

A lot of homeowners don’t realize that new construction also plays a role. As neighbourhoods expand, mice lose their outdoor nesting areas and end up moving closer to houses. It’s a city-wide problem that gets worse as the days get shorter.

How to Tell If You’ve Got Mice

You don’t always see them. Mice are quiet and move fast, but they leave signs.

Here’s what most Calgary homeowners notice before calling us:

• Droppings that look like small black grains of rice, usually along walls or under appliances.
  
• A scratching or light tapping noise at night.
  
• Food packages that look chewed or gnawed through.
  
• Faint musky smells, especially in hidden areas like storage rooms or attics.
  
• Shredded bits of paper, insulation, or fabric. That’s nesting material.
  

Even if it seems small, it’s best to act fast. Mice multiply quickly, and one pair can turn into dozens quickly. 

Why DIY Mouse Traps Don’t Always Do the Trick

Many homeowners start with traps, and that’s understandable. A few mouse traps in your Calgary home can help catch the first ones, but it doesn’t always solve the whole problem.

Here’s why: mice are smart. Once they sense danger, they avoid traps. And if there’s still food and shelter available, more will come in from outside. Most of the time, the traps just manage the surface problem.

If you’ve already tried bait stations or store-bought traps and the noises haven’t stopped, that’s a sign it’s time for professional help.

How Grove Eco-friendly Pest Control Handles Mice Removal in Calgary

Our mice removal process is built for Calgary homes because we live and work here, too. Every property is different, but our approach usually includes:

1. Inspection: Finding every entry point, even the ones behind walls or near plumbing lines.
   
2. Safe removal: Using methods that work without harming pets or kids.
   
3. Sealing up: Closing off the holes that allowed mice in.
   
4. Follow-up: Checking that the problem stays gone for good.
   

We focus on long-term solutions, not just quick fixes.

Tips to Keep Mice Out

Once you’ve dealt with the infestation, prevention is key. Small habits make a big difference:

• Keep dry food sealed in tight containers, especially grains. 
• Don’t leave pet food out overnight.
• Seal cracks around windows, doors, and vents.
• Clear clutter where mice can hide.
• Trim trees and bushes that touch the house. They make easy bridges.
• Remove any bird feeders and clean up the seeds.
• Keep your grass short, especially over winter. 

These are small changes, but they can save you a big headache later.

When to Call the Experts

If you’re still hearing scratching after a week or noticing droppings in more than one area, don’t wait it out. The longer mice stay, the more damage they do.

That’s where Grove Eco-friendly Pest Control can help. We’ve handled hundreds of mice removal calls across Calgary, from downtown condos to acreages outside the city. Our technicians know what to look for and how to make sure the problem doesn’t come back.

Final Thoughts

Mice might seem harmless, but a small problem can quickly get out of hand. The best time to deal with them is right when you notice the first sign.

Whether you’ve already spotted droppings or just want peace of mind before winter hits, reach out to Grove Pest Control. We’ll inspect your home, remove the mice safely, and help you keep them from returning.

Your home should be yours, not theirs.