So how do you pick the right exterminator for the job?
Go with a trusted name. Don't call up some fly-by-night company. You need to be able to trust that the exterminator will get the job done. Perform research online to see how different exterminators are rated. Ask your friends. Trust me, I'm sure they've had pest problems as well and may have called an exterminator of their own. Don't be embarrassed. It's not a reflection of you or how you maintain your home (although it could be). Many people live right in the middle of a mouse's natural habitat. It's expected that mice and people will run into each other at some point in time.
The other thing you need to do when hiring an exterminator is to manage your expectations. Don't expect the problem to disappear over night. While they may be professional and experienced, they are not miracle workers. They are still subject to the same unpredictable behavior of animals that you are. What you're paying for is their expertise and experience. They are trained to spot the signs of mice and know from their past what the optimal trap placement and baiting techniques are. While I try to share with you these tricks of the trade, there's something to be said about letting someone who's done it before do it again.
I have one final word about hiring mice exterminators. If you are renting an apartment or a home, don't feel that you have to resolve the problem on your own. Contact your landlord as they have a mutual interest in resolving the problem. They don't want the problem to spread to other units. It's also very likely that they have an established relationship with some type of pest control service in the area. Let them leverage that relationship as they may even foot the bill.
Hope this helps, and if you don't think hiring an exterminator is right for you, then check out more articles on this site for do-it-yourself tips to get rid of mice.