Got Mice? There are a number of ways to get rid of a mouse infestation problem and discourage their friends from ever coming back, here are 20+ tried and true home remedies to get rid of mice and keep them out . . .
20+ Ways to Get Rid of Mice
We realize that most people just want the mice out of their homes! They’re unsanitary, often urinating and defecating on counters or in cupboards where food and dishware are stored; They’re annoying, chewing through food packages in the pantry, etc.
Homemade Mouse Repellent
Make your Own Deer & Mice Repellent Spray
Bay Leaves– this natural repellent works wonderfully in the Pantry, simply crush a few leaves and leave them on the shelves and on the floor in the corners of the pantry, etc.
Mothballs– these work well in basements and attics but are toxic to pets and people, so ensure they’re placed where they can’t be reached.
How to Kill/Remove Mice
Get a Cat- cats are notoriously effective for removing unwanted mice. The downfall, they don’t always eat them and may leave surprises for you (examples include: squirrels, rabbits, snakes, and the occasional Opossum (or is that just MY cat??)
Mouse Traps
Mousetraps come in all different types and sizes such as:
Wood or Plastic Snap Traps: (which can be frustrating to set) and need to be placed where fingers, toes, and pets will NOT come into contact with them.
Glue Traps– these are placed flush against a wall in areas where mice have been seen.
Glue traps are not necessarily killing traps, you can release a mouse by spraying their stuck parts liberally with cooking oil (vegetable oil), do not spray it’s face or eyes, or by pouring some vegetable oil on the trap itself. The mouse will more than likely need your assistance to remove itself from the glue. This really should be considered a “kill” trap though.
Please note, disposing of mice in this method is a long, painful, drawn-out death.
Live-Traps– where the mouse can be taken outside and let go such as Havahart brand.
The mouse is caught and later released into an area that is more suitable for the both of you!
Make Your Own Water Bucket Mouse Trap– an effective way to get rid of large populations in a very short time, particularly in barns, sheds, storage buildings that hold grain, bins of pet food, etc.
Homemade Mouse Bait aka Poisoning Mice
Mouse Poison– There are several issues with poisoning- firstly, as foragers mice are relatively smart. They consume small amounts at a time, if they don’t get sick, they’ll come back and eat more. So the item that you put out to poison them must work in very small doses and must work quickly.
There are several different types of poisons available:
Commercial Mouse Poison– these are available in the Pest Control aisle of the grocery store/supermarket (place in area where pets/young children cannot reach)
Homemade Mouse Poison, including:
Instant Mashed Potato Flakes– place instant mashed potato flakes on a shallow lid and place in areas where signs of mice have been found. Once they consume it they will seek out water, causing the flakes to swell in their stomachs, killing them. This is generally considered a pet-friendly method as you’re only placing a couple of tablespoons of flakes out at a time for the mice and most pets won’t be remotely interested in consuming mashed potato flakes. (MOST). Will Not harm Pets or Young Children.
Nutrasweet/Equal (anything containing Aspartame) this is known to kill mice quickly as well. Mix a packet or two into a teaspoon of peanut butter and place it in an area where mice have been seen or noticed. (place in an area where pets/young children cannot reach)
Vit D– crush 3-4 vitamin D tablets into a powder and mix it with a tablespoon of peanut butter. After a sufficient enough amount has been consumed the free calcium levels are raised causing calcification in the heart, effectively killing them. (place in an area where pets/young children cannot reach)
Zinc– crush zinc tablets into a fine powder and mix it with a Tablespoon of Peanut Butter- the acid in their digestive system reacts with the zinc to create a toxic phosphine gas. (place in an area where pets/young children cannot reach)
Keep in mind, if you live in an area where there are many predatory birds such as hawks and owls, poisoning mice should be reconsidered.
Preventing Mice from Entering
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure… If you’d prefer not to kill them at all and want to prevent them from entering your home in the first place try these methods:
Seal areas around pipes/plumbing with steel wool pad pieces. Mice do NOT like to chew through this and will avoid them. They will, however, PULL them out, so be sure you ensure it’s jammed in tightly.
Alternatively, you can cut up some pieces of steel wool and tuck them in while spraying expanding foam to seal around pipes. Allowing the foam and steel wool pieces to mix together ensures that mice will not attempt to chew their way into your home.
Mice are naturally repelled by plants in the mint family. Growing these as a border to your home it will go a long way in preventing mice from moving into your basement, garage, or other areas of your home.
Mice are excellent climbers and will enter through open windows, doors, etc. Ensure that you have screens in any doorway or windows, or keep them closed.
Inspect the foundation of your home for cracks and crevices, Mice can squeeze through very small areas (1/4″) Use mortar, sheet metal, hardware cloth or steel wool to seal any cracks. Mice will chew through caulking or expansion foam.
Remove items that attract mice- keep floors swept and vacuumed, clean up any spills immediately as dirt and debris attract mice.
Clutter is attractive to mice, it gives them areas to hide and make nests to have their babies, keep old cardboard boxes, cans, bottles, boots/shoes to a minimum.
Mouse-proof your pantry by storing good in plastic or glass storage containers. Mice will easily chew through boxes of cereals and grains.
If you have dogs or cats and you know you have an issue with mice do NOT leave your pets food dish setting out with food in it. The mice will have a field day collecting pet chow and storing it in your walls for later.
When I was a kid, my mom regularly made molded chocolates in various designs. The chocolate melting discs routinely disappeared and we kids were blamed for it. When we moved, we discovered some boots in the attic, completely filled with the stolen chocolates. The mice really had a field day with them!
Need More Ideas:
- Tin Cat Metal Box
- Deer, Rabbit, Mice Repellent Spray
- Kill Mice with Salt
- Mice Repellent Spray
- How to Kill Mice with Toothpaste
Interesting Facts about Mice:
- Mouse Urine glows under a blacklight so if you’re wondering whether they’ve been in your pantry, screw in a blacklight bulb to a lamp, or use a blacklight flashlight to look for glow spots of dried mouse urine.
- Mice are omnivores and will literally eat almost anything, they eat 15-20 per DAY.
- A mouse can jump down 12 feet without sustaining injury.
- Mice see best in dim lighting
- Did you know that mice are the 3rd most successful mammal on earth, following Humans (1st) and Rats (2nd)?!
- Female mice can give birth to up to 12 babies every 21 days, each of those babies is old enough to breed within 2 months.
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