How to Keep Mice Out of Your House

Block All Entry Points (Most Effective)

The single most important preventive measure you can take to keep mice and rats away is to inspect the foundation and walls of your house to make sure any potential entry points are blocked. Rodents seek to get in from the cold in the fall and winter, which is the best time to inspect the exterior.

Mice can enter by squeezing through cracks as small as 1/4-inch in diameter. Block foundation cracks with a masonry repair material and inspect joints around windows and door sills for cracks that might allow rodents to enter. Refrain from using spray foam since rodents can chew through it. Instead, fill holes tightly with steel wool or fasten wire mesh patches over entry points using screws.

Check your attic, as well, since rodents love the warmth of insulation. However, there's no completely effective rodent-proof insulation on the market.

Move Bird Feeders Far From the House

The seeds and ground grains that go into most bird food mixtures are a delightful treat for rodents, as evidenced by the presence of squirrels that frequently invade bird feeders.

Feeding birds is an admirable hobby, but you shouldn't be surprised when mice and rats are drawn to the ground around your feeders. If you have bird feeders, keep them as far from the house as possible.

Put Pet Food in Airtight Container

Transfer dog and cat foods to sealed, airtight storage containers immediately after buying them. More than one homeowner pouring a bowl of dog food has simultaneously dumped out a squeaking mouse.

Dry pet foods are mana from heaven for rodents, so store them in tightly sealed containers well above the floor.

Tightly Close Garbage Bins

Garbage cans and bins kept alongside the house or garage are a siren call to rats and mice (as well as bigger pests, such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, and stray dogs and cats) unless they are kept tightly sealed with air-proof lids.

Keep these utility containers as far from your house as possible, put them on platforms above the ground, and secure lids with bungee cords or heavy rocks as an added prevention.

Similarly, the garbage bins in the house should be emptied regularly. Never leave trash overflowing, which attracts rodents.

Control Foundation Plantings

Dense shrubs and garden planting that butt up close to the house provide hiding spots for mice and rats (and termites) as they seek entry holes through foundations or walls.

Shrubs along the house should be planted a few feet away from the foundation, and make sure the soil level is low enough that mice cannot squeeze their way up behind the siding.

Seal Dry Foods

Rodents will not reside in your house if they can't find a food source. Flour, sugar, and other food kept in bags or paper cartons are easily broached by rodents and bugs, such as weevils. Instead, keep these foods in tightly sealed plastic or metal containers on high shelves or the refrigerator.

Clean Floors and Countertops

Clean up crumbs or food scraps on floors or countertops. Always have a handy sweeper to capture crumbs, and never leave uneaten bowls of pet food in dishes on the floor. If you have a pet bird, sweep up any scattered seeds that might have fallen beneath the cage.

Keep Outside Doors Closed

Garage doors left open can invite rats and mice, especially in the fall when these rodents seek a warm place for winter. Ensure weather seals along the bottom edges of garage doors are in good shape.

Get into the habit of closing your garage door immediately after entering or exiting with your car, and also keep side entry doors to the garage closed. Keep sliding patio doors and basement windows closed, or at least protected with screens, to prevent rodents from entering.

Never leave a garage door or other entries open overnight. Rodents are especially active in the dark hours.

Set Traps and Bait

Set a few traps and bait stations indoors as a diagnostic measure throughout the year. A live trap is a humane and poison-free way to trap and release rodents while alerting you when they are finding entry into your home.

The best live traps are chamber-type devices with a spring-loaded door that snaps shut when the mice enter in search of food. Avoid inhumane sticky trap designs since mice have been known to chew their feet to free themselves from the adhesive.

If you have no qualms about killing mice, traditional spring traps are a good choice; they usually kill mice quickly and without much pain to the creature.

Use Natural Repellents

Mice have a strong sense of smell and don't like certain odors. In one study, eucalyptus oil showed some success in repelling rats. However, efficacy was improved when the oil was applied daily compared to once a week. Other natural repellents include peppermint oil, cayenne, citronella, and cinnamon.

Chemical smells that keep mice away include ammonia, bleach, mothballs, and fabric dryer sheets. Irish Spring soap may also be a scent that mice despise, although it's not proven as an effective repellent.

Adopt Pet Predator

A pet that loves to hunt prey, or even an owl nesting outdoors in your garden, can be excellent rodent control. But because pet food is always present in a house with pets, rodents may find your home a good food source.

However, a young, aggressive cat or a dog species, such as a terrier with a reputation for hunting small animals, can often catch rodents before they can take up housekeeping and form nests to reproduce.

Remove Clutter

Mice like to hide; a cluttered home offers many spots for making mouse nests. Keeping tidy by removing boxes, newspapers or magazines, and trash from the floor will dissuade a mouse from moving in. Move boxes up on shelves and out of easy reach. Darker, less frequented spots like basements and closets are prime mouse hiding spots.

Also, remove clutter in the yard, shed, or garage. If you have a compost pile, keep it far from the house.