Get familiar with every inch of your house to identify small problems and get them fixed. Agree about the cat.

Very true

get a professional - it could also be rats. I have 3 cats, still get mice....

not all cats are mousers.

call an exterminator.

If you live in an area with Hanta virus, read up on that before deciding what to do.

The classic snap mousetrap works. But you may have rats. Rats are worse. Rat snap traps are simply larger versions of mousetraps. Go up and take a look. If they have been there for a while, someone will need to do some cleanup after the critters are caught. You may prefer a professional to deal with the situation. Not cheap, but effective, and they do the cleanup of nests and droppings in the attic insulation.

If you are renting, ask your landlord to deal with the situation.

"We've never been in the attic and I'm a bit scared to as the house was empty for two years before we moved in." You HAVE to do it ... get up there and find out what the critter is. Remove all the debris, take pictures of any droppings or nests you find, etc.

NOTE: If you see bats, get out and call a pro.

Probably squirrels, because mice don't make much noise.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/squirrels/tips/squirrels-in-attics.html

Getting rid of them is only part of the problem ... keeping them from returning is the other half. You have to find and seal all the cracks and holes they are using to get in ... it's got the side effect of making the house more energy efficient.

We had a mouse infestation in our prior home after a tenant left bird food out in her apartment and squirrels getting into our current house from an opening near the roof that we didn't notice. I would definitely call an exterminator (they catch squirrels and let them go not kill) and get one of those packages where they close up all the "access points" to your house. If they are that loud maybe they are squirrels. Which also carry disease I was told.

absolutely call a professional ... there could be damage as well. Insurance will cover any insulation, etc. that may need to be done.

Mice multiply quickly- hurry! If you do not see droppings in your kitchen or evidence of them chewing- I doubt it is mice. They tend to go where the food is. Agree it could be squirrels or raccoons. They do a lot of damage. You could get some of those sticky traps and see if you catch anything, but figuring out the sources of entry are also a must.

We are pretty certain it's nice. We live in the country and already have two cats in the rarely use basement, one in the living quarters. The only access tithe attic is an opening in the ceiling I a closet...I'm not sure a cat is a good option up there.

Whatever you do, don't poison them. They'll get sick and go in hiding between your walls or under your appliances, and you'll have to rip them apart to get the stinky bodies out of there.

Mouse traps are the best way to go. And of course a kitty cat. :)

Oh just saw your note about cats. OK mouse traps then.

Yes, a professional is needed or use traps. We had "roof rats" and my husband put rat poison up in the attic area. OMG...some died in the wall space and stunk and we couldn't get to it. It took some time to lose the smell. :(

I have 3 cats, one who is expert at catching mice, and does. However the mice continue to come, especially when the weather turns cold. I have found a trap that works great It's a bit expensive $20.00 per trap, but it works very nicely and with no mess. It has a zig zag compartment the mouse enters and bait, (I use peanut butter) placed at the end. It's battery operated. When the mouse passes over a certain point it triggers an electric shock that kills it instantly. It flashes a light on top that you caught one. In the morning you open the lid, tip the dead mouse into the trash and push the reset button on the outside of the trap. It's small, discrete and WORKS HUMANELY! No mess, no half killed mice, no poison. Clean and quick. I have several in areas where the mice "evidence" has been noted. Eventually you get them all. I always leave a couple in place for that straggler that may come when unexpected later on. I got it at Mills Fleet Farm but I'm sure they're sold in may location. They also have a rat sized version.

Please read this blog http://blog.asepsis-kenya.com/control-rodents-rats-mice/

Hi n247080, what is the brand and model name of your product ? Is it the
Rat Zapper Ultra, or Raticator Max ?

I don't have the packaging anymore. It's by VICTOR model m250 per the actual trap

Call an exterminator, quick! They multiply like crazy.

Need an exterminator! I just bought a home with crawl space and found out there was a mice infestation. The exterminators came out set traps, once the critters were caught the next step was to seal every hole, crevice and the seal around the bottom of the house where the foundation meets. Screens were placed around the vents and gutters. A secure chimney cap with screen and a screen over the dryer vent outside. A new crawl space door. Problem solve:) I spent 1200 to have this process done but well worth the money .

Best to understand that these creatures love hiding! Finding one typically means there are many. Buy a cat + Call an exterminator who will reveal to you the structural deficiencies for your home.

belleandlucy outlined what you need to do in the most succinct manner. Make those calls first thing in the morning!