To get rid of mice in your house effectively, follow these expert-recommended steps:
1. Eliminate Entry Points
- Seal all cracks, holes, and gaps in your home's foundation, walls, doors, and windows. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a pencil's diameter.
- Use steel wool, caulk, or cement to block entry points, avoiding materials mice can chew through like plastic or wood.
- Install weather stripping on doors and windows to close gaps
2. Use Mouse Traps
- Snap traps are a quick and humane way to kill mice. Place traps along walls and behind objects where mice travel.
- Bait traps with peanut butter, chocolate, bacon, or nuts.
- Position traps perpendicular to walls with the trigger facing the baseboard to maximize effectiveness.
- Change trap locations every few days to prevent mice from learning and avoiding them
3. Maintain Good Sanitation
- Clean up crumbs and food residues regularly.
- Store food in airtight containers or glass jars.
- Secure garbage cans with tight lids.
- Remove clutter and debris inside and outside the home to reduce hiding spots
4. Use Natural Repellents (Supplementary)
- Peppermint oil on cotton balls placed near entry points can help deter mice but is not a permanent solution.
- Mothballs can repel mice but are toxic to pets and children and should be used cautiously in well-ventilated areas
5. Avoid Harmful or Ineffective Methods
- Sticky or glue traps are inhumane and less effective.
- Rodenticides (poison) pose risks of accidental poisoning and are best left to professionals.
- Ultrasonic devices have not been conclusively proven to eliminate mice
6. Call Professionals if Needed
- If the infestation persists or is extensive, professional pest control services can provide safe and effective eradication
By combining sealing entry points, strategic trapping, sanitation, and careful use of repellents, you can effectively get rid of mice and prevent future infestations in your home
