The void nobody sees
Fitted kitchens sit on legs, with a plinth or kickboard clipped along the front. Behind that plinth is a continuous void running the length of the kitchen, and behind the units is another gap against the wall. The two are joined, warm from the fridge, oven and dishwasher, full of pipes, and inches from food. For a mouse it is ideal.
How mice reach it
- Holes where waste and supply pipes come through the wall or floor for the sink, dishwasher and washing machine
- Gaps left around gas pipes to the hob and cables to appliances
- The floor void below, in houses with suspended timber floors
- Gaps where the boxing around a boiler or soil stack meets the units
- Neighbouring flats, via shared walls and pipe runs — see Mouse Control Brent on conversions
Checking behind the plinths
Most plinths unclip or pull away. With a torch, look for droppings, nesting material such as shredded paper or insulation, chewed food packaging that has been dragged in, and greasy marks around pipe holes. The back corners and the area under the sink are the usual hotspots. If you find fresh droppings, read what to do about mice behind kitchen units and book mouse control before sealing anything.
Closing the gaps after the mice have gone
Seal each pipe and cable hole where it enters the void, using hard materials rather than foam — the detail is in proofing pipes and utility gaps. Remember that a gap far smaller than you would expect is enough: about 6mm. Leave gas pipework to a Gas Safe engineer.
Keeping the void unattractive
- Clean out the void when the plinths are off — crumbs and spilled pet food collect there
- Refit plinths tightly; brush or rubber seal strips along the floor edge help
- Keep food in sealed containers, not open packets in low cupboards
- Pull out the cooker and fridge occasionally to clean behind them
Flats and conversions
In a converted house or block, the kitchen void may connect to the flat next door or the one below. Proofing your own kitchen helps a great deal, but if neighbours have mice too, the problem is shared — more on that in our Willesden page about floor voids in terraces.
Getting it sorted
Mouse control in Brent is £190 for a flat and £240 for a house. Once activity has stopped, our rodent proofing closes the small holes behind the units for £180 for up to one hour — book rodent proofing. Not sure which holes they use? See which holes rodents are actually using.
