Domakihub How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Home for Good
A practical, step-by-step guide for homeowners, landlords, and property managers in Greece.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Mice can move into any property — a family home in Athens, a holiday villa on the islands, or a hotel room on the Peloponnese — especially as temperatures drop in autumn and winter. The video above walks through the full control process from start to finish, and the guide below turns that process into clear, actionable steps you can follow today. Act quickly: a single pair of mice can produce dozens of offspring within a few months.
Why Mice Enter Greek Homes
Greece's warm summers and mild winters give mice ample opportunity to nest both indoors and out. As outdoor food sources dry up in late summer, mice seek warmth, water, and stored food inside houses, apartments, and commercial kitchens. Stone buildings and older constructions common in Greek villages and island towns often have natural gaps at foundations, pipe entries, and roof junctions that provide easy access.
Holiday rentals and seasonal properties face a particular risk: a property left unoccupied for weeks or months is essentially undisturbed nesting territory. Regular inspection and preventive measures are especially important for owners of short-term rental properties who need to protect their guests and their reviews.
Signs of a Mouse Infestation
The most common signs are small dark droppings (roughly the size of a grain of rice) along walls, behind appliances, and inside cupboards. You may also notice gnaw marks on food packaging, wood, or cables, as well as a faint musty odour in enclosed spaces. Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls or ceilings at night are a strong indicator that mice are active.
Spotting a live mouse during daylight hours is a reliable sign that the population has grown large enough that competition for space is pushing individuals into the open. At this point, a multi-method approach rather than a single trap is needed.
5 Steps to Eliminate Mice From Your Property
- 1
Inspect and identify all entry points
Walk the entire perimeter of the building and look for gaps larger than 6 mm — about the diameter of a pencil. Pay close attention to where pipes and cables enter walls, gaps around door frames and window sills, and any cracks at the foundation. Mark every opening you find before moving on to sealing, so nothing is missed.
- 2
Seal every gap and entry point
Fill small holes with steel wool packed tightly into the gap, then cover with expanding foam or caulk so mice cannot pull the wool out. For larger structural gaps, use wire mesh fixed with screws or metal flashing. Do not rely on foam alone — mice can chew through it. Blocking entry is the single most important long-term action: traps and baits only work on mice already inside.
- 3
Remove food and water sources
Store all dry food — including pet food and bird seed — in hard-sided, airtight containers. Clear clutter from floors, shelves, and storage areas where mice can nest undisturbed. Fix any dripping taps or condensation issues, as mice need water daily. In Greece, remember that open olive oil containers, dried legumes, and traditional pantry stores are attractive targets and should be secured.
- 4
Set traps in active areas
Place snap traps — the most reliable type — along walls and behind appliances, positioned perpendicular to the wall with the trigger end facing the skirting board. Use peanut butter, chocolate, or nesting material as bait rather than the cartoon-cliche cheese. Set multiple traps at once: one or two traps rarely match the scale of a real infestation. Check and reset traps daily and dispose of dead mice in a sealed bag.
- 5
Monitor, clean, and follow up
After trapping activity stops, continue checking for new droppings for at least two weeks. Deep-clean all affected areas with a disinfectant — mice carry leptospirosis and other pathogens — wearing gloves and a mask when handling contaminated material. If activity resumes or you cannot locate all entry points, contact a licensed pest control professional. For rental properties, keep a written log of inspections and treatments for guest safety records.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted pest control pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- Is it safe to use rodent poison bait in a home with children or pets?
- Rodenticide blocks (second-generation anticoagulants) are effective but carry a secondary poisoning risk for cats, dogs, and birds of prey that might eat a poisoned mouse. In homes with children or pets, snap traps inside tamper-resistant bait stations are the safer choice. If you decide to use poison, place it strictly inside locked bait stations, follow label instructions, and keep station locations documented.
- How long does it take to fully get rid of mice?
- With consistent trapping and all entry points sealed, most infestations are under control within two to four weeks. Larger infestations in buildings with many hidden voids can take six to eight weeks. The key is not stopping after catching the first few mice — continue trapping until there is no fresh activity for at least 14 consecutive days.
- Can mice come back after I have dealt with an infestation?
- Yes, unless every entry point is permanently sealed. Mice from the surrounding area will re-enter if gaps remain. Annual inspections — ideally in late summer before temperatures drop — are recommended for all properties in Greece, and are especially important for holiday rentals or properties that sit empty for part of the year.