Professional Mouse Control Services in Chicagoland
Mouse / Mice Control
AMPEST Exterminating and Wildlife Control Serving the Greater Chicagoland Area Since 1979
Mouse Control
Discovering mice in your home can be unsettling, but you're not alone. August through winter marks peak mouse season in the Chicagoland area, and AMPEST's phones start ringing as homeowners spot these unwelcome visitors. With over 45 years of experience, we've helped thousands of Chicago-area families eliminate mouse problems permanently.
How Much Does Mouse Control Cost?
The honest answer: Most homeowners in the Chicagoland area can expect to pay between $150-$200 for an initial inspection and mouse control setup, with follow-up services typically running $95 per visit for homes under 3,000 square feet.
Here's what affects the price:
- Size of your home (under or over 3,000 sq ft)
- Severity of the infestation (one mouse vs. multiple mice)
- Number of follow-up visits needed (typically 1-3 visits)
- Entry points requiring attention (simple gaps vs. complex structural issues)
One-Time Treatment vs. Ongoing Protection
Unlike companies that want you locked into monthly contracts, AMPEST focuses on solving your mouse problem completely. Our approach typically involves:
- Initial inspection and setup: $150-$200
- Follow-up visits: $95 each (usually 1-3 needed)
- Exclusion work quote: Provided after we understand your specific entry points
Why we don't do one-time treatments: Mice have a 19-21 day gestation period and can have 5-8 babies per litter. A "quick fix" approach often leads to bigger problems weeks later.
How AMPEST's Pricing Compares to Other Companies
Many larger pest control companies include "rodent control" as part of a quarterly service package. What does that usually mean? One bait box in a basement corner that gets checked every three months – if you're lucky.
What makes AMPEST's approach worth the investment:
- We actually solve the problem instead of managing it indefinitely
- Professional inspection identifies the exact type of mouse (critical for health safety)
- We use professional-grade materials that are difficult and costly to source residentially
- Our goal is to eliminate the need for ongoing service, not create dependency
DIY vs. Professional Mouse Control: The Real Cost
Thinking about handling this yourself? Here's what most homeowners don't consider:
DIY limitations:
- Can't identify if you're dealing with house mice vs. deer mice (hantavirus risk)
- Hardware store traps and materials often inadequate for the scope of the problem
- Most common mistake: not using enough traps or treating enough areas
- No knowledge of proper exclusion techniques
Professional advantages:
- Proper species identification for health safety
- Access to professional-grade baits and trapping systems
- Knowledge of local Chicago-area entry points and seasonal patterns
- Exclusion work that prevents future problems
The bottom line: DIY might save money upfront, but professional service prevents the problem from escalating into a much more expensive situation.
Common Mouse Control Mistakes Homeowners Make
After 45 years in the business, we see the same DIY mistakes repeatedly:
1. Using Too Few Traps
Seeing one mouse and setting two Victor snap traps won't solve a mouse problem. Professional approach means multiple traps in strategic locations based on inspection findings.
2. Wrong Bait Strategy
Everyone thinks peanut butter, but mice often prefer:
- Sweet things like gumdrops
- Nesting materials like cotton balls (they're looking for places to nest)
- Professional-grade attractants designed specifically for mice
3. Missing the Real Problem Areas
Mice love to nest in places you'd never think to look – like inside couch cushions and stuffed chairs. Female mice seeking nesting spots get creative.
4. Not Addressing Entry Points
Catching a mouse doesn't solve anything if more can get in through the same gap.
How to Tell if You Have One Mouse or a Full Infestation
Single mouse indicators:
- One occasional sighting
- Minimal droppings in isolated areas
- No chewing damage to food packages
Infestation warning signs:
- Multiple sightings (especially during daylight hours)
- Heavy droppings that reappear quickly after cleaning
- Chewing damage to food packaging, cardboard, even wires
- Grease marks along walls where mice travel repeatedly
- Strange noises in walls or attic (yes, mice can sound much louder than you'd expect)
Don't ignore these signs: Mice reproduce rapidly. What starts as "just one mouse" can become dozens within a couple of months if there's a food source and shelter.
AMPEST's Step-by-Step Mouse Control Process
1. Same-Day Response
When you call with a mouse problem, we typically schedule an appointment within 24-48 hours. We understand the urgency and stress involved.
2. Professional Inspection
Our technicians conduct a thorough inspection to determine:
- Species identification (house mouse vs. deer mouse)
- Severity of the problem
- Entry points and travel patterns
- Potential health risks
3. Initial Control Setup
Based on our findings, we immediately place appropriate control measures:
- Strategic trap placement in high-activity areas
- Professional-grade baits in tamper-resistant stations (when appropriate)
- Documentation of all entry points for exclusion planning
4. Follow-Up Services (7-10 Days)
We return to:
- Check and reset traps
- Monitor activity levels
- Assess effectiveness of initial treatment
- Refine our approach based on results
5. Exclusion Work Consultation
Once we have the immediate problem under control, we provide a detailed quote for sealing entry points permanently.
To learn more about our Mouse Exclusion Service please click the button below:
What Makes Mice So Difficult to Eliminate Permanently?
The challenge: A quarter-inch gap is all a mouse needs to enter your home. If they can get their head through, their flexible body follows.
Environmental factors that increase difficulty:
- Wooded lots with natural mouse populations
- Multiple outbuildings (sheds, detached garages)
- Tall grass and overgrown landscaping
- Neighboring properties with rodent issues
How AMPEST addresses these challenges:
- Comprehensive exclusion work using materials mice cannot chew through
- Exterior baiting programs to reduce pressure on your home
- Quarterly maintenance programs for high-risk properties
- Custom solutions for unique architectural challenges
Chicago-Area Seasonal Mouse Patterns
Peak season: August through winter Why August? Weed seeds. Natural weeds go to seed, triggering mice to hoard food in protected areas – like your home. This instinctual behavior continues as daylight decreases and temperatures drop.
Why Chicago winters affect our approach:
- Heavy snowfall can bury exterior monitoring stations
- Mice seek shelter more aggressively during harsh weather
- Access to some exterior areas becomes limited
Year-round activity: While August kicks off peak season, we handle mouse problems throughout the year. The key is understanding seasonal behavior patterns that affect treatment strategies.
Health and Safety Concerns
Serious health risks mice pose:
- Hantavirus (potentially fatal, especially from deer mice)
- Various bacteria and viruses spread through droppings and urine
- Contamination of food surfaces and preparation areas
- Parasites that mice can bring into your home
AMPEST's safety-first approach:
- Proper species identification to assess health risks
- Safe placement of all control materials away from children and pets
- Use of tamper-resistant stations with locking mechanisms
- Professional cleanup and sanitation recommendations when needed
Child and Pet Safety
We always consider children and pets when designing treatment plans:
- Snap traps: Placed in areas inaccessible to children and pets
- Bait stations: Weighted, locking, tamper-resistant design
- Professional baits only: We use anticoagulant baits with vitamin K1 antidote (much safer than some products available to consumers)
- Strategic placement: Attics, crawl spaces, and other areas where children and pets don't go
Older Chicago Homes vs. Newer Construction
Older home challenges:
- Multiple additions with complex entry points
- Large front porches and low-lying decks
- Finished basements limiting access for exclusion work
- Some situations require reconstruction rather than exclusion
Newer home issues:
- Wooded lots with natural mouse populations
- Flashing problems around roof lines
- Utility penetrations not properly sealed during construction
AMPEST's solutions:
- Custom metal fabrication for unique architectural features
- Drone inspections for complex rooflines
- Honest assessment when reconstruction is more cost-effective than exclusion
When to Call for Help
Best-case scenario: You call after seeing one mouse. We can often solve the problem within a week with minimal exclusion work.
Worst-case scenario: Waiting too long leads to:
- Population explosion (mice reproduce every 19-21 days)
- Structural damage from chewing
- Health hazards from contamination
- Much higher costs for cleanup and extensive exclusion work
- Potential fire hazards from chewed electrical wires
Why Choose AMPEST for Mouse Control?
After 45 years serving Chicagoland families, we've learned that other companies often want to keep you as a customer forever. We'd rather solve your problem completely.
Our difference:
- Inspection-based approach: We identify the real problem before recommending solutions
- Species identification: Critical for determining health risks and treatment methods
- Professional materials: Metal fibers in caulk, rust-resistant excluder products, custom metal fabrication
- Local expertise: We know Chicago-area construction styles and common problem areas
- Honest pricing: Time and materials basis, not inflated "package deals"
- Problem-solving focus: Our goal is to eliminate your need for ongoing mouse control
Request Mouse Control Service
Quick Solution!
Reasonable price · $140–160
One mouse in the utility room was the problem.
The problem was resolved very quickly.
I would not hesitate to call AMPEST again!
-Joanne N.
Mouse Removal Success!
Joe Peifer was our technician and he was fantastic. Very professional and was extremely helpful through the entire process. Would not hesitate to use AMPEST again if needed and will not hesitate to recommend their services
-Marty D.
Great Staff!
We would highly recommend AMPEST services. The office gal Jackie was very kind, professional and understood our concern and need for prompt service . Your technician Jeff was excellent . His knowledge , his experience and his kind mannerisms made us feel we were in good hands. Jeff was very detailed and he would not stop until he found the source of our problem . Thankfully , Jeff found the problem and fixed it. Thank you Jackie & Jeff for your excellent service. We are grateful & appreciative .
-Mrs. S
Ready to Solve Your Mouse Problem?
Don't let a small mouse problem become a major infestation. AMPEST's experienced technicians can typically schedule an inspection within 24-48 hours and begin solving your problem immediately.
Our Service Area
If you are located in the "grey" area on the map then give us a call, we can help!
Not sure if you are in our service area or not? Call to find out.
