What should I do if I find signs of mice in the kitchen?
Droppings, gnawing, or food damage suggests an active entry and sanitation problem that requires safe cleanup and exclusion.
Urgency: moderate
What this means
Protect food, avoid dry sweeping droppings, and identify accessible gaps without handling live animals.
Safe checks
- Discard contaminated food
- ventilate
- use appropriate gloves and wet-cleaning guidance
- seal small non-utility gaps with durable pest-resistant material.
Stop and get help if
- Use licensed pest control for a large infestation, inaccessible nests, repeated activity, bites, or contamination of ventilation systems.
Which professional to call
Contact the matched licensed or qualified trade if safe checks do not resolve the issue.
Find the relevant tradeSource and method
This answer combines HomeSOS's structured triage with safety boundaries supported by a public source. It does not replace inspection.
Health Canada: Home safety and indoor air guidanceReviewed August 12, 2026