Scratching in the ceiling doesn't always mean mice. Larger wildlife — squirrels, raccoons, even birds — leaves different clues, and treating a wildlife problem like a rodent problem usually doesn't solve it.
Mice and rats tend to produce quick scurrying and scratching, often at night. Raccoons and squirrels are heavier — you'll hear slower thumping, dragging, or rolling sounds, and squirrels are typically active at dawn and dusk rather than all night.
A mouse can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. If you're finding torn or chewed openings closer to the size of a fist along the roofline, soffit, or vents, that points to a raccoon or squirrel rather than a rodent.
Rodent droppings are small and pellet-shaped. Raccoon droppings are noticeably larger, tubular, and often found in a consistent pile called a latrine — a strong sign of a bigger animal, not mice.
Wildlife tends to flatten and displace large sections of insulation to build a nest, while rodent nesting damage is usually smaller and more scattered throughout the space.
Wildlife removal often involves one-way exclusion devices and confirming there are no young animals still inside before sealing an entry point — a different process than rodent baiting or trapping, and one that matters for doing it humanely and effectively.
Not sure what's actually up there? Call (833) 767-2812 for an inspection.