Mice are mostly active at night and make a variety of noises that can help you detect their presence. The most common sounds are scratching, gnawing, squeaking, scurrying, and rustling — typically faint, coming from walls, ceilings, cabinets, attics, or basements. If you hear any of these sounds consistently after dark, you likely have mice and should act quickly before the infestation grows.

Types of Noises Mice Commonly Make at Night

• Scratching: Mice have sharp claws and frequently scratch at surfaces when climbing, building nests, or moving inside walls, attics, or under flooring. It usually sounds like a soft, fast, irregular scraping.
• Gnawing: Mice constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from getting too long. You may hear a faint crunching or rasping sound as they chew through wood, drywall, cardboard, cables, or plastic.
• Squeaking: Mice communicate through high-pitched squeaks or chirps — often barely audible — and are more common when they're socializing, feeling threatened, or mating.
• Scurrying: A scurrying noise is what you hear when they dash from one place to another — behind walls, across ceilings, or in hidden spaces. It sounds like light feet moving quickly over hard surfaces.
• Rustling: Mice use soft materials like paper, fabric, or insulation to build nests. You may hear rustling or crinkling as they arrange bedding or search for food.

Details About Where and When You Might Hear These Noises

Mice are nocturnal and primarily active from dusk to dawn — most likely to be heard late at night or just before sunrise when your house is quiet. Common locations:

• Inside walls or ceilings (especially near kitchens or food sources)
• Behind appliances
• In attic insulation
• In basements or crawlspaces
• Under floorboards or inside cabinets

In New Hampshire homes, mice commonly nest in attics and wall cavities during the colder months — scratching sounds from above or beside walls are especially common between October and March.

Mouse sounds may also seem to come from far away because they travel through wall cavities and floor joists. The actual nest may be 10–15 feet from where you hear the sound — keep this in mind when deciding where to place traps.

Mouse Noises vs. Rat Noises: How to Tell the Difference

Mouse sounds are light and quick. Rat sounds are distinctly heavier, slower, and louder due to their larger body size — more of a thumping drag than a quick patter. Key differences:

• Mice — rapid, light scurrying (like fingers tapping quickly)
• Rats — slower, heavier thumping; deeper, more sustained gnawing
• Mouse squeaks are sharp and high-pitched; rat vocalizations are lower and less frequent

If the sound wakes you up or is clearly audible from another room, it's more likely rats than mice. For a full breakdown of rat sounds, see our guide on what noises do rats make in walls.

Why Recognizing Mouse Noises Is Important

Identifying mouse noises early helps prevent a bigger infestation. Mice reproduce quickly — regular scratching, squeaking, or rustling at night is a strong signal to check for entry points, food sources, or nesting spots. Early detection lets you respond fast: seal gaps, clean up food, and set traps before numbers grow.

Heard Noises? Here's What to Do Next in NH

If you're hearing consistent sounds in your walls or ceiling, don't wait. In New Hampshire, Anchor Pest Services provides same-day inspections across Manchester, Nashua, and Concord. Call (603) 785-0118 — our team identifies exactly where mice are nesting and eliminates the infestation at the source.

‍