Mice are one of those pests that no one wants in their home. Not only are they unhygienic and capable of spreading various diseases, but they can also cause significant damage. From burrowing in walls and chewing on cords to leaving droppings everywhere, it’s clear you’ll want to eliminate them fast.
Fortunately, there are many effective methods to keep your home free of rodents. By following these 35 tips and tricks, you’ll be able to keep mice out of your home and garage, leaving your rodent problems behind. Keep in mind that the most effective way to manage pests is through proactive prevention. It’s much easier to keep rodents out than to deal with them once they’ve entered.
Do regular inspections
Before taking any action, it’s important to ensure there isn’t already an infestation. Inspect your home and garage for signs of mice, such as droppings, bite marks, tracks, or shredded paper. Use a flashlight to check dark areas where they might be hiding.
Block up any entry points
Mice are skilled at squeezing through small cracks to enter your home, with the ability to fit into openings as narrow as a pencil. Seal any gaps around windows, doors, and pipes using caulking or weather strips to prevent their entry.
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Utilize steel wool
Rodents can gnaw through materials like plastic, paper, and drywall, but metal is rodent-proof. This makes steel wool an excellent option for sealing holes and cracks. Simply pack it into any areas that need patching to keep rodents out.
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Clean up food particles
Eliminating accessible food sources is key to keeping mice away. Sweep frequently and clean up crumbs from floors and counters. Regularly sanitize all surfaces to ensure no traces of food are left behind.
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Mouse traps work great
Keep some mouse traps on hand as a precaution. If you suspect rodents in your home, set them out immediately. Use a variety of traps, such as bait traps, glue traps, and live traps, to increase your chances of success.
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Turn on some lights
Rodents are drawn to dark spaces, so keeping areas well-lit can deter them from nesting. Since mice are nocturnal and dislike bright lights, maintaining good lighting in potential hiding spots can help keep them away.
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Cover entry points with aluminum foil
Rodents have an aversion to aluminum foil, making it a useful deterrent. Line door bases and other cracks with foil to keep them out. For added protection, wrap any food left on the counter in aluminum foil to prevent rodents from getting to it.
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Select proper bait
To effectively trap mice, choose the right bait. Mice often prefer what they’ve already been eating in your home, so use that as bait. Alternatively, nesting materials like cotton balls can also attract them to the trap.
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Tie the bait to the trap tigger
To ensure mice can’t easily steal the bait, secure it to the trap trigger. Use dental floss to tie the bait in place or apply a small amount of hot glue to hold it firmly. This increases your chances of successfully catching them.
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Spray peppermint oil around
Using certain scents can both freshen your home and repel mice. However, if you have pets, exercise caution, as some fragrances can irritate the respiratory tracts of cats and dogs.
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Make your own mouse trap using a bottle
A DIY catch-and-release trap is a humane way to handle a mouse problem without causing injury. It’s as effective as store-bought traps and surprisingly easy to construct. Check out this video tutorial to learn how to make one yourself.
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Be smart with trap placement
For optimal results, position traps perpendicular to walls, as mice typically scurry along baseboards. This alignment ensures they encounter the trap head-on. Avoid placing traps in the center of the floor, where mice might approach from the wrong angle. Keep in mind that mice rarely stray more than 10 to 20 feet from a food source.
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Set out a dish of antifreeze
This method is only effective if you don’t have pets, as antifreeze has a sweet taste that can attract animals. Unfortunately, if ingested, it can be highly toxic and potentially fatal to them.
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Mice don’t like strong scents
Covering a cotton ball in garlic powder or cayenne pepper and using it to seal holes can deter mice from passing through. You can also place the cotton balls in key areas around your home or garage to keep them away.
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Use strong scented soaps
Soaps can also deter mice, as they tend to avoid them. Placing a few bars of soap in cracks and corners where mice might try to build a nest can help keep them away.
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Bait stations are very effective
These are poison packets that attract mice, causing them to chew through the packaging and consume the contents, which ultimately leads to their death. However, they can be hazardous if not handled properly, so they are not recommended if you have young children or pets.
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Cover big holes with bricks
If you have holes that can’t be sealed with caulking or steel wool, consider using bricks to block the area. Mice won’t be able to move them, and they can effectively prevent entry.
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Fill small holes with dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are another effective way to deter mice. Simply place them in areas where mice may enter. Remember to replace them every few weeks, as the scent fades over time.
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Secure garbage containers
Mice only require about three to four grams of food per day to survive, meaning even small crumbs around trash cans can sustain them. Garbage is a major attractant for rodents and other pests.
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Use ammonia for cleaning
Vinegar is excellent for making glass surfaces shine, but it also works as a rodent deterrent. Mice dislike the smell, so using it as a cleaning solution can help prevent them from visiting.
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Remove debris outside the home
If there are piles of debris around your home’s foundation, it’s only a matter of time before mice decide to settle there. Keeping your yard clean reduces the likelihood of mice getting close to your home or entering it.
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Store food in glass containers
If mice get into your food cabinet, they can easily chew through packaging. To prevent this, store your food in glass or other hard-sided containers that mice can’t access. Avoid using cardboard boxes, as they’re easy for mice to gnaw through.
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Stay organized and clean up clutter
Clutter inside the house makes it harder to spot mice, as it provides hiding spots where they can stay out of sight. To reduce the risk, keep items like toys neatly organized instead of in large piles, making it easier to notice any unwanted visitors.
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Adopt cats
Cats are natural hunters and a strong deterrent to mice. Their instinct to hunt means they’ll actively chase and scare off rodents without needing any encouragement. Mice know better than to venture too close to a cat.
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Keep mothballs in your closets
Mothballs have likely been a staple in your grandparents’ home for years. The strong scent is effective at keeping both moths and rodents away, as neither pests can stand the odor.
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Use air fresheners regularly
Air fresheners will make your house smell delightful, but mice aren’t fans of the scents. Most varieties of air fresheners can help deter them from entering your home.
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Be mindful of your landscaping
If you have large hedges or bushes close to your house, consider removing them, as they provide ideal hiding spots for mice. At a minimum, keep the plants trimmed at the base to reduce potential habitats.
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Secure gaps around utility lines
A lesser-known entry point for rodents is around utility lines. Small gaps where electricity or cable lines are attached to your home can provide access. Be sure to seal these gaps to prevent entry.
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Make sure your chimneys have screens
Rodents are skilled at finding entry points, and an open chimney is an invitation for them. Ensure that chimneys are covered with vents or screens to block their access.
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Treat the mice to a glass of soda
Mice are drawn to the sugar in soda, but they can’t tolerate the carbonation. Consuming enough of it can ultimately be lethal for them.
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Attach guards onto your gutters
Gutters often accumulate leaves, creating ideal hiding spots for mice. They use them like little roads to move around. Installing gutter guards can help block their access and prevent them from nesting there.
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Deter mice with cloves
Cloves are a wonderful holiday spice that can make your home smell delightful. Plus, mice dislike the scent, making them a great natural deterrent when spread around your garage or home.
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Use more hot sauces when cooking
The strong, spicy aroma of hot sauce will fill your home and repel rodents, as it’s too intense for them. Mice are particularly averse to spicy flavors, making it an effective deterrent.
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Seal the areas around pipes
Inspect areas underneath sinks and around pipes for any gaps or cracks. Seal these openings with caulking or steel wool to prevent mice from using them as entry points into your home.
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Don’t keep any food in the garage
Garages are constantly opening and closing, making it easy for mice to get inside. Avoid storing food or refrigerators in the garage, as this can attract them and encourage entry.
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