How Long Does It Take A Mouse To Chew Through A Wall? A Must Read

A mouse can become very destructive when it wants to be. It can chew through a range of things many people may consider impossible. These include soft vinyl, plastic, rubber, fiberglass-based screening, or wood.    

Mouse’s ability to chew through hard materials or surfaces can be attributed to their strong teeth. So, be wary of any mouse that sneaks into your house. These rodents can cause a range of damage in your home. 

Now, here’s the question.

How long does it take a mouse to chew through a wall?

It depends on the type of wall. If the wall is soft (plywood wall or drywall), then it will take a mouse two hours or a week to chew through. 

On the other hand, if the wall boasts thicker wood, it would take a mouse more days or several weeks to chew through it. The bottom line is a mouse can chew through walls and diverse materials. 

Continue reading as we share more information about mice.

Proof There Is A Mouse In Your House

You left a food bag on the counter overnight only to find holes in it the next day. Scurrying, scratching, or scampering sound coming out from the walls or floorboards also indicates one thing – a mouse has visited your home. You might have even seen a mouse in the fireplace or around the kitchen with your own eyes.

Now, what piece of evidence indicates there’s a mouse or mice in your house? To make matters worse, you haven’t seen one with your naked eyes. 

Keep an eye out for the following signs.  

#1: Trace of droppings: 

Check your house properly for mice droppings, especially in dark and quiet places. If you find droppings that resemble dark seeds, there is a mouse or mice in your house. 

However, fresh droppings differ from old ones. The fresh ones appear shiny and dark, while the older ones appear faded and dried. Finding a cluster of fresh or faded droppings indicates there are mice in your home. 

#2: Watch out for nasty nests: 

Mice like to create nests. But it is common for mice who are already super active in homes or ones that feel settled. They chew through several things to build their nests. These include cardboard boxes and clothing. 

Where can you find mice nests? Check dark and quiet places around your home. Check sites like storage boxes, cabinets, under furniture such chairs, closets, or areas where you left a pile of clothes.  

Just know that mice like to nest in a place where they feel super safe. That is, places you don’t visit often.

A Handy Tip: You might find mice droppings close to the nest or some distance away. But both always go hand-in-hand.   

#3: Mouse runs: 

Have you discovered mouse runs in your home? If no, and you know there could be mice in your home, it, therefore, means you have not been checking for runs. 

Mice usually take the same route day by day. They feel safe following the same path and understand they can find food via that same path. They sometimes leave faint runs on countertops, tables, wooden floors, and drywall. 

The runs left mice are sometimes faint. You may have to pay close attention to spot them. 

How Did Mouse Get Inside Your Wall?

The scurrying and scratching sound from within your wall suggests that a mouse is inside. The question is, how did it land inside your wall? 

Well, a mouse can climb on anything or pass through the tiniest of places to get inside your walls. From there, they can move into your apartment. 

They are usually desperate to get into homes for three reasons. It’s because houses do have enough food, and feel safe and warm. 

A mouse can pass through holes or openings the size of a coin. They can enter via the base and climb up. Also, they can enter near the roof and move from the attic into the wall.

What Can A Mouse Do Inside A Wall

Having a mouse inside your walls is never a pleasant experience. It would surely cause a range of destruction in the house. Here’s what to expect when a mouse enters your wall. 

#1: Chew on wood: 

Shelter is not the only reason mice move into homes. They hate starving and can do anything or eat a range of foods to survive. 

So, when they get inside your wooden walls, expect one or more holes soon. If it were a plywood wall, it would take a couple of hours or a few days for the mouse to chew through. 

However, if the wooden wall is thicker, the mouse will chew through it in several days or weeks. Once the mouse succeeds in creating a hole in the wall, expect it to visit your kitchen frequently, searching for food. 

The bottom line is that if a mouse has the determination to leave a hole in your wall, it will succeed. You can only stop it from happening by eliminating the rodent.

#2: Chew on electrical cables: 

A mouse can chew through wood, so munching on wires shouldn’t be an issue. They can chew through the insulation on electrical wires whenever they feel like it.

Why do mice enjoy nibbling on electrical wires? Well, unlike humans, mice’s front teeth grow throughout their life. So, to keep the teeth within a manageable size, they usually chew on soft materials such as PVC and PE cables, pipes, and wires. 

With that said, it is advisable to protect electrical wires during installation. You can seal the wires in protective materials like plastic or concrete. You can also purchase electrical cords that are impossible for rodents to chew through. 

So, prevent mice from chewing on your electrical wire to avoid a fire hazard. Don’t wait for the rodents to strike before taking action. 

#3: Pee and poop: 

Mouse droppings indicate it has gained access into your home. And when one mouse enters your home, expect the arrival of others soon.

When a mouse enters a wall, they usually mess up the area with pee and poop as they attempt to chew through the wall. Mouse’s droppings can also invite other rodents into your home. 

Additionally, mouse droppings are unhealthy to have around the house. They can spread bacteria, cause allergic reactions, and even contaminate food sources. 

#4: Build nest: 

Mouse usually chews on clothes and even cardboard boxes to build a nest. So, if they create a hole in the wall, they can get all the supplies they need to make a nest and feed.

Now, why do mice build nests? They do so to breed, store food, keep litter protected, keep themselves warm and keep their young ones away from predators. Mice generally feel safe in their nests.

How To Get Mouse Out Of Your Wall

Here are steps to get rid of mice already inside your walls, including preventing other rodents from entering your property. 

Step#1: Inspect your property: 

A mouse in your wall probably gained access via an opening in the building. So, inspect the exterior of your property carefully and block any entrance. 

Check for openings as small as ¼ inch, but keep in mind that rodents can pass through smaller holes. Again, check every single area for holes. Do not leave any stone unturned.   

Step#2: Seal the openings: 

Use steel mesh to close any hole on the exterior of your property. Why? Mice can’t chew through this material. 

Step#3: Set traps in your attic space: 

If you’re confident that you have sealed all openings, go into your attic space and put a wooden snap trap there. Use peanut butter as your bait.  

Remember also that location is crucial. So, when setting your traps, place them where the rodents can spot them with ease. 

The final step is to check the trap every day for a dead mouse. After removing the dead body, you can reset the trap to catch other rodents.

Conclusion

How long does it take a mouse to chew through a wall? Well, it depends on how hard the wood is. They can chew through plywood in hours or a few days. But thicker wood will take them days or several weeks to chew through. 

We also explained how mice get inside walls and what you can do to eliminate mice inside your walls. Furthermore, we described ways to know mice have entered your home. You can read and see the various tips shared in this post.