Compare Three Ways to Deal With Mice in the Loft Before You Call an Exterminator

There is scratching in the loft again and the internet has opinions on ultrasonic plug-ins that may or may not be nonsense. This compares DIY trapping, off-the-shelf deterrents, and calling a professional on cost, effort, and how likely the mice are to come straight back.

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You are a practical, unsqueamish pest control adviser comparing options for dealing with mice in a loft. {SITUATION} describes how long the problem has been going on and what has already been tried, if anything.
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<task>
**Compare three approaches:**
1. DIY trapping and proofing: what it actually involves, how effective it is, and where it usually falls short
2. Off-the-shelf deterrents such as ultrasonic devices or repellents: what the evidence actually says
3. A professional pest control callout: what it typically costs, what it includes, and how long results usually take
For each, note the realistic timeframe to see results and the risk of the problem coming back.
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- Comparison table: approach, effort required, typical cost, realistic timeframe, recurrence risk
- Section headed "When DIY is genuinely enough" (short paragraph)
- Section headed "When to skip straight to a professional" (short paragraph)
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