Mice in your apartment or condo: what to do
Updated .
Mice in an apartment raise questions a house owner never has to ask: do I tell my landlord, who deals with it, did they come from next door, and will it come back? This guide walks through what to do first, how to handle your landlord or condo board, what you can do yourself, and how treatment works in a shared building.
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What should I do if I have mice in my apartment?
Do four things: confirm it is mice, tell your landlord or property manager in writing, keep food in hard containers, and do not seal holes until the mice are dealt with. Then get a licensed professional to inspect and treat, ideally with the units next to, above and below yours checked too.
Acting quickly matters. Mice breed fast, and in a shared building they can spread to other units along pipes and walls.
Who is responsible for pest control in an Ottawa rental?
If you rent, treating pests in your unit is generally the landlord's responsibility, and tenants are expected to prepare the unit and follow the treatment plan. The City of Ottawa publishes guidance for tenants and landlords on pest infestations, so check its page for your situation.
Tell your landlord or property manager in writing, by email or letter, as soon as you see signs, and keep a copy. Include the date, what you saw (droppings, noises, a mouse) and where. That record helps if the problem drags on.
What if I own a condo?
Condo owners usually arrange treatment inside their own unit, but should let the property manager or condo board know. Results are much better when the units beside, above and below are checked at the same time, because mice move through wall and floor voids. Your condo corporation may also have rules about contractors and building access, so ask before you book.
How do I know it is mice?
The usual signs in an apartment or condo are:
- Small, dark, rice-sized droppings under the kitchen sink, behind the stove and fridge, and in lower cupboards.
- Scratching or scurrying in walls or ceilings at night.
- Chewed food packaging, or small holes in boxes in the pantry.
- A stale, musty smell in cupboards.
- Greasy smudges along baseboards and around pipes.
Our guide to the signs of mice in the house explains each one and how to clean up droppings safely. If the droppings are much bigger, read about the signs of rats.
Where do mice get into apartments and condos?
In shared buildings, mice often arrive from the outside through the ground floor, the garage or the garbage area, then travel between units. Common routes are:
- Gaps around pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks, and behind the dishwasher and stove.
- Utility closets and risers where pipes and wiring connect units.
- Gaps around the dryer vent, balcony doors and patio doors.
- Shared walls, ceilings and floors with open gaps.
- Garbage rooms, parking garages and storage lockers, which can be a source for the whole building.
What can I do myself while I wait?
- Store food in hard containers, including pet food, cereal, flour, rice and snacks.
- Clean up crumbs and wipe counters at night. Take the garbage out each evening.
- Clean up droppings safely: open a window, wear gloves, wet the droppings with disinfectant, wipe them up with paper towels, bag them twice and wash your hands. Do not sweep or vacuum them dry.
- Reduce clutter and cardboard along walls and under the sink.
- Note where and when you hear or see activity. It helps your technician place stations on the right routes.
- Do not plug holes completely yet. If mice are in the wall, sealing the last way out can leave them trapped. Our guide on how mice get in and how to keep them out explains the right order.
Why neighbours matter
Mice do not respect unit boundaries. If you treat your unit and your neighbours do not, mice can return from the next apartment. We can treat a single unit, but the most lasting results come when neighbouring units are checked too. Tell your landlord or condo board if you hear noises on a shared wall, and ask them to check adjoining units. Whole buildings are quoted separately.
How does treatment work in an apartment or condo?
We inspect your unit, check under sinks, behind appliances and around the utility openings, and place tamper-resistant, locked bait stations along the routes mice use, away from children and pets. We do not use snap traps or glue traps. We show you the entry points we find and seal small gaps with steel mesh on the first visit. A follow-up visit checks activity and adjusts the stations.
Our mouse and rat control is a flat $299 plus HST for houses, townhomes and condos, with a six-month guarantee: if mice or rats return to the treated areas, we re-treat for free. If you rent an apartment and are booking yourself, mention your building and unit type in the booking note so we can confirm the details with you. Sealing larger openings is a separate rodent proofing service, quoted after an inspection. See all prices on the pricing page.
Mice in apartments and condos across Ottawa
We see mice in older low-rise buildings, in newer condo towers and in stacked townhouses. In areas with many apartment buildings, such as South Keys, Alta Vista and parts of Nepean, shared walls and garbage areas are the usual routes. Whichever you live in, acting early keeps the problem small. If you only just saw your first mouse, start with our guide on what to do if you saw a mouse in the house.
Quick answers about mice in apartments
Can I just ask my landlord to set traps?
You can ask, but a single round of traps rarely deals with an established group of mice. Ask for a licensed professional to inspect and treat, and for neighbouring units to be checked.
Will mice leave if I move out?
No, and moving them with you in boxes or furniture can spread the problem. Treat first.
Do I need to leave the apartment during treatment?
No. The stations are sealed and tamper-resistant, so you can stay home during the visit.
Can mice travel between apartments?
Yes, along pipes, wiring and wall and floor voids, which is why neighbouring units matter.
Do I need to tell my landlord before I book?
Yes, if you rent. In Ottawa, pest treatment in a rental unit is generally the landlord's responsibility, so tell them in writing first.
Book mouse control online
Pick a day and time window on our booking page and add your building type and where you have seen signs. Have a question first? Read our pest control FAQ or contact us.
Book online See mouse & rat control ($299 + HST)
Not sure what you're dealing with? Call 343-341-2815 and describe it. We'll tell you what it is and what it costs.
Keep reading
- Signs of mice in your house
- Saw a mouse in the house? What to do next
- Do mice come back after extermination?
Sources
- Pest infestations: tenants' rights and responsibilities, City of Ottawa
- Rats and mice, Health Canada
- Hantavirus: spread, prevention and risks, Public Health Agency of Canada
General information for homeowners. Every home is different; your technician will confirm what applies to yours.
Let's make them gone.