What Noises Mice Make & What They Mean

Has anyone ever said you’re ‘quiet as a mouse’? They were lying.

You may have heard that mice squeak, but you’d probably be surprised to learn that they are actually very noisy critters. The tricky thing about them is that they don’t stomp inside your front door, yelling “MOUSE IN THE HOUSE!” The noises can be difficult to decipher. Sometimes they produce a scratching noise inside the walls, sometimes they let out squeaks. 

For any homeowner, when you’re suspicious that these pests may be inside your home, you immediately want to figure out if they are and what to do about them. Learn what to listen for here.

What Do Mice Sound Like?

If you believe there’s a rodent problem in your home, one common sign to be aware of is the sounds that they will make. There are three noises you’ll likely hear from these pests: 

• Squeaking 
• Scratching 
• Gnawing

If you hear scratching and scurrying within the walls and faint squeaks, it is likely that you need to start looking into mouse control solutions. 

Why Do Mice Squeak?

Mice aren’t so different from people, as they’re also communal creatures. They make sounds to express emotions and to communicate where another friendly rodent can find food sources, water, and shelter. Their sounds often sound like squeaking or chirping. 

When you listen carefully to a mouse squeak though, you will often hear a sort of song. The squeaking changes in pitch and frequency depending on what they’re trying to communicate. For example, mouse noises are louder when they find food, and faster during mating. Believe it or not, female mice respond to males when they produce ultrasonic vocalizations. They may also squeak if they are in pain or to warn others of danger. 

Why You Can Hear Them Scurrying

Rodents are also known to make scratching and scuffling sounds as they scurry along baseboards, drywall, floorboards, and other common places in homes. This sound is caused by tiny mouse ‘fingernails’ digging into the surface to get a better grip. 

Their strong grip makes them excellent climbers, meaning they can easily find their way into your attic and ceiling. These creatures can even manipulate their bones to make it into small spaces like your walls. If they make it there, you’d hear scratching and scurrying through the walls, oftentimes at night.

Gnawing

If these pests find something tasty like wires or cords to chew on, you may even be able to hear them gnawing. Their teeth never stop growing, so they are always looking for items to chew on to help file them down. They may also be in search of softer items to gnaw on to use as nesting material. This means all of the furniture, cords, and walls in your home are possible places they may start chewing. 

Mice are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night. This also means they make a lot of noise while you’re trying to sleep. Perhaps the only thing worse than having these pests in your house is losing sleep because of the sounds. 

You might hear rodents squeak while they are searching your home for food and water. Right after sunset and just before sunrise is when they’re most active. They produce scratching sounds while they forage for food or even gnawing sounds if they find something tasty like wires or cords to chew on. You’ll likely hear them as they scamper and scurry through your home looking for easily accessible food, like a full dish of dog food, foods that aren’t sealed, or a garbage bin without a lid. All of those items are especially susceptible to pest infestations.

When You’ll Hear the Mouse Sounds

Mice are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night. Specifically, right after sunset and just before sunrise is when they’re most active. This also means they make a majority of their noises while you’re trying to sleep. Perhaps the only thing worse than having these pests in your house is losing sleep because of the sounds.

You might hear rodents squeak while they are searching your home for food and water. They’ll produce the scratching sounds while they forage for food or the gnawing noises once they find something to chew on. You’ll likely hear them as they scamper and scurry through your home looking for easily accessible food, like a full dish of dog food, foods that aren’t sealed, or a garbage bin without a lid. All of those items are especially susceptible to pest infestations.

So, Do Mice Make Noise?

Yes. Scratching, squeaking, scurrying, and gnawing are just a few sounds you may hear these pesky pests making inside your house. 

Are sounds the only way to find out about a mouse problem? No. There are many signs of a rodent infestation, ranging from sounds to rodent droppings to property damage. The key to getting rid of mice is early detection of the problem and preventing them from coming into your home.

Since they are lured in by the promise of food, water, and shelter, you can make your home less attractive by cleaning up and blocking entry points. Make sure to check out the best ways to remove mice from your home and consider using a botanical repellent, such as Stay Away® Rodent, to help with pest control.