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What Noises Mice Make & What They Mean

By: EarthKind

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

Mouse coming out of hole in baseboards

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?

Lady with ear up to wall listening for mice

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. 

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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.

17 thoughts on “What Noises Mice Make & What They Mean

  1. Cate says:

    My pet mouse keeps making loud noises and sneezing a lot, just wondering what I could do about all of that and if it is serious?

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Hi Cate,

      Unfortunately we aren’t experts in the care and keeping of mice. I would suggest consulting a veterinarian. Feel free to let us know what you find out.

      Thanks for reading!

  2. Camille says:

    We found a mouse over 2 weeks ago and my property manager has put 2 traps down in which the mouse has gotten the bait and escaped. I’m afraid of their being more than one mouse in the apt since they only plugged the holes a few days ago. How do I find out if there is more than one and is there something I can purchase?

    1. Chanel C says:

      Hello Camille! Mice tend to live in groups, due to preference as well as breeding habits. Mice breed frequently and give birth to litters of 6-8 on average, and can do so up to 10 times a year. That being said, if you have one mouse, then you very likely have a little family living in your house or garage so keep an eye out for signs of other mice!
      As far as getting rid of them, traps are an imperfect and short term solution– the cleanup is messy and they do nothing to prevent more mice from coming in the future. When it comes to pest control, prevention is key! So some steps you want to take are: 1. Make sure you clean up anything that can be attracting them (whether that is food, or clutter that they can use to build a nest). 2. Seal any holes or cracks where they could be getting in. 3. Place some Fresh Cab pouches in the problem areas. It helps to drive out the mice you have and prevent more from coming back. The scent over-powers their sense of smell making it difficult for them to navigate, avoid predators, and find food, so they will go running!
      Good luck, and please let us know how it goes!

  3. Karen says:

    A scent that one person loves, another may hate. Is there a refund if I get the product and as soon as I open it up I or my husband can’t stand the smell?
    Thanks!

    1. Mildred Montalvo says:

      Hi Karen,

      We understand that the scent of Fresh Cab won’t be for everyone which one of the reasons we created Stay Away Mice. The active ingredient in Fresh Cab is balsam fir oil, which many customers say smells like a Christmas Tree, but if you prefer a more subtle scent, then Stay Away® Mice may be the right option since it was designed for household usage (active ingredients are cedar wood oil, rosemary oil, and spearmint oil). Either way, the most important thing is that mice hate the smell, so either product will help prevent the pests in your life. Please feel free to contact our Customer Care Team should you have any other questions or concerns, and we will gladly help you resolve it.

      Thanks for reading!

  4. Barbara says:

    Hi your products sound unbelievable whats the life of this products how long will it continue to work once it down

    1. Mildred Montalvo says:

      Hello Barbara,

      Welcome to EarthKind! FreshCab shelf life is typically expected to be about 3 years. Once unwrapped and placed out for use, your nose is the best indicator to detect when Fresh Cab needs to be replaced – you will know when the product has expired by its lack of scent. The (opened) product lasts up to 30 days in cold storage areas. For known infested areas, use one pouch per 8 sq. feet of floor space, for up to 30 days of maximum protection.

      For more information please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Care Team ([email protected] / P: (800) 583-2921) from Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm EST

      Thank you for reading!

  5. Do says:

    I got an electrical device you plug in. The first time it worked in my rental. Now some mice got in my house. I got another one. It costs between $20 and $35.00. So far we have not heard the mice it’s been 2 weeks.

    1. Mildred Montalvo says:

      Hello!
      Thank you for reaching out. We recommend Fresh Cab or Stay Away® Mice to repel pests over electrical devices for several reasons. Electric devices are not biodegradable, may be harmful to pet’s hearing, rodents can adapt to sound, and do not meet EPA repellency standards. Meanwhile Fresh Cab and Stay Away® Mice meet all of those requirements. In addition, they do not pose any known risks to pets or kids. Plus, we offer a 100% money back guarantee. Take a look at this article with a comparison table, that explains rodent control methods in detail. What’s the Best Rat Repellent? See the Top Methods Compared
      Our repellents are plant-based oils that are offensive to rats to keep them from entering the property. The smell of the plants and essential oils is the deterrent, yet these products are generally considered safe for humans. Fresh Cab® Rodent Repellent represents the best of these botanical repellents.
      Thanks for reading!

  6. Doris Matthews says:

    I bought stay away and it does not work for me. I have a rat that I can’t get rid of.

    1. Mildred Montalvo says:

      Hi Doris!

      Thank you for reaching out. We want to make sure that there is nothing attracting the rat. For example we do not recommend traps or baits. This is recommended since our product repels while baits and traps bring mice in to your home (mice will do anything in their power to get the “prize” used for baiting). Utilizing both at the same time sends a mixed signal and when “push comes to shove” mice will come in for food.

      Where is the rat located? We recommend inspecting the area and make sure that there are no entrances, that the area does not have anything attractive for them (ie food), and that it is free from clutter and debris rodents may use for hiding behind or as nesting materials. How many pouches were used? We recommend 4 pouches for a single car garage. If the location, is a storage, farm, vehicle, etc. you can also try FreshCab (rodent repellent), while as effective as Stay Away Mice, it has a stronger scent that will keep away rats, but will be refreshing for you. When a rodent enters an area treated with Fresh Cab (or Stay Away Mice), it’s likely looking for food, water, or a nesting site (a baited trap will attract rodents too). Once in the treated area, rodents will quickly discover they can’t tolerate the smell and exit outside for fresh air to clear their sensitive sensory organ. Please contact us for live assistance at [email protected]

      Thanks for reading!

  7. Vibek Mishra says:

    Hii I am vibek Mishra .I have a
    shop near my house. There are a lot of mouse sounds at the wall corner inside n outside. It is very disgusting. So probably l want to stay far from the problem.
    Therefore I think it is a useful website for all of these.

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Hi Vibek,
      Staying away from mice is a good idea since they can spread disease and cause expensive damage. I’m so glad you found our site useful. Please let us know if we can be of any more help to you.
      Thanks for reading!

  8. Anna says:

    I have the same problem i hear them squeaking loud in my room in the middle of the night. i’ve told my mother we’re soon to get a exterminator. I think the first thing you should do is get a mouse trap. If you see one mouse then there more than one mouse in your house

    1. Rita Stadler says:

      Hi Anna,
      You’re right, if you see one mouse, there is usually more than one nearby! If the infestation is severe, an exterminator may be the best choice. For an easy DIY solution, you can place a pouch of our botanical rodent repellent anywhere you’re seeing signs of mice.
      Thanks for commenting!

  9. Charlotte says:

    Hi there! I’m young and scared of mice! There is a trash can under my desk and I saw one! Now during the night I hear lots of tiny squeaks.i also hear scratching and scruffing. Help! How do I get rid of them without killing them? Does a pest control company cost much??

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