Top 10 Ways To Get Rid Of Mice At Home

10 Proven Methods To Get Rid Of Mice

Mice infestations can be a persistent nuisance in homes, leading to potential health risks and property damage. Dealing with these rodents requires effective and proven methods that not only eliminate the problem but also ensure the safety of your living environment. 

Let us explore ten proven methods to eliminate mice and reclaim a pest-free home.

1. Caulk

Seal small entry points with caulk to prevent mice from entering your home through tiny holes. Mice can infiltrate spaces with a diameter as small as 1/4th inch, making caulk an effective barrier.

2. Copper Wire

Replace traditional steel wool with copper to seal larger entry points. Unlike steel wool, copper doesn’t degrade or rust over time, making it a durable barrier that mice find harder to chew through.

3. Peppermint Essential Oil

Use the strong scent of peppermint essential oil to drive mice away. Place cotton swabs with a few drops of peppermint oil in areas prone to mouse activity, such as under the sink or corners. Refresh the scent by replacing the cotton balls when needed.

4. Mint

Mint is another effective way to keep mice away. Place mint leaves near the sinkhole and the corners of your home. You can also keep mint toothpaste in a box with tiny holes and place it near the target area. Alternatively, plant mint along the walls of your home to keep mice from entering your home.

5. Humane Traps

Opt for humane traps that capture mice without causing harm. Smart Mouse Traps, Mice Cubes, and Havahart Humane Mouse Traps are effective and safe options. Ensure that trapped mice can breathe by drilling small holes if using Mice Cubes.

A. Smart Mouse Trap

This type of humane trap is very effective. The bait is placed on a removable door between two pieces of plastic. A spring, placed under a plastic platform, snaps the door shut when the mice step on the trigger plate. These smart mice traps are entirely safe to use around kids and pets.

B. Mice Cube

The mouse cube is a semi-clear, hard plastic rectangular box. It has a plastic door that swings inward. The bait is placed at the end of the box and away from the door. When the mice enter the trap, the door shuts. Drill a few holes before setting up the trap so the trapped mouse can breathe inside.

C. Havahart Mice Trap

The Havahart or have-a-heart mice trap is a mesh wire supported by steel that makes it sturdy. It has two doors on either side for the mice to enter. The trip plate is located at the trap’s center and connected to the doors by a rigid wire. When the mice enter the trap, it triggers the spring mechanism, which shuts the door.

6. Cloves

Cloves provide a natural and aromatic solution to repel mice from your home. Wrap whole cloves in cotton cloth, placing them in corners and under sinks to naturally repel mice. Enhance the effect by using clove essential oil on cotton balls in cabinets. It is advised to avoid clove essential oil if you have pets, as it may irritate their skin.

7. Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil is a temporary solution to deter mice, keeping them away from covered areas. Place foil over surfaces at night and fold it in the morning to address mouse droppings. The crinkling sound, almost inaudible to humans, is a disruptive noise for rodents. 

As they hear and communicate ultrasonic frequencies, the foil gives a rustling sound, making it a simple and non-toxic method to discourage their presence.

8. Bay Leaves

Bay leaves offer a safe and child-friendly method to eliminate mice. Crush the leaves and place them in mouse-prone areas, replacing them every 2-3 days for continued effectiveness. This natural approach provides a non-toxic way to deter mice without harming children or pets.

9. Baking Soda

Baking soda becomes an effective mouse poison when mixed with sugar and flour. Mix equal measures of baking soda, sugar, and flour without adding water. Leave the mix along a path that mice frequently scurry along. 

When the rodents eat the mixture, the soda reacts with their stomach acid and creates excessive gas that cannot be expelled, leading to the death of the mice. The mix is safe for pets and kids, as it doesn’t have the same effects on them.

10. Ultrasonic Mice Repeller

As mice communicate in ultrasonic frequencies, it can repel them from your home. Ultrasonic mouse repellers that produce sounds to keep away the mice are available in electronic stores. The ultrasonic sounds are inaudible to humans but irritate mice. 

This method isn’t always effective, especially if you have a massive nest of mice living in your home. The sounds could affect your pet and cause restlessness, but they are entirely safe to use around children.

Additionally, learn how to prepare your home for pest control and safeguard your family from potential risks associated with traditional mouse control methods.

Dangers Of Using Common Mice Control Remedies

Awareness of the potential dangers associated with popular mice control methods is crucial for responsible pest management, particularly in households with children and pets. The following risks posed by mice control remedies highlight the need for alternative, non-toxic solutions to maintain a safe and healthy living space.

Mice Poison

Mice poison contains Bromadiolone. When Bromadiolone enters the mice’s body, it prevents blood clotting, resulting in bleeding and death. Pets and kids could mistake mice poison lying around the house for food and consume them. 

Exposing your kids or pets to these risks is not worth it. Another danger of poisoning is that a predator like the neighborhood cat or your own could consume the dead mice and get killed in the bargain.

Mice Traps

While effective for mice control, sticky and snap traps pose significant risks in households with kids and pets. The adhesive on sticky traps can harm pets by sticking to their paws, tails, or faces, causing distress and difficulties in removal. Similarly, snap traps, designed to kill mice swiftly, carry the potential for severe injuries if accidentally triggered by a curious child or pet.