Mice often enter homes in search of food, warmth, or shelter, and can cause damage by chewing on various items like wires, books, and food storage. They can also spread diseases with their urine and feces.
If you’re dealing with a mouse problem, here are seven effective methods to eliminate them, without resorting to buying poison:
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Seal Entry Points
Mice can squeeze through tiny gaps, even ones as small as 1/4 inch. Seal any cracks and holes to prevent them from entering. -
Identify Mouse Hotspots
Find where the mice are by checking for their feces. Keep food stored in containers that can’t be chewed. -
Get a Cat
If you don’t have an allergy, a cat can be a natural way to keep mice away. If you can’t get a cat, try placing cat litter in areas frequented by mice to deter them. -
Use Essential Oils
Peppermint and clove oils can repel mice. Place cotton balls soaked in these oils in areas where mice are active. -
Set Humane Traps
Set up traps to catch mice alive and release them at least a mile away from your home. Use food like peanut butter or buttered popcorn as bait. -
Try a Hot Pepper Solution
Create a hot pepper spray and use it in areas where mice frequent, such as under the stove or behind cabinets. This is a safer alternative to poison. -
Make Your Own Trap
Craft simple live traps with household items like a bucket and stick. Bait the trap with peanut butter, and release the mice once caught. -
Block Entry Points with Steel Wool
Stuff steel wool into cracks and holes. Mice can’t chew through it, making it an effective barrier. -
Use Duct Tape
Seal gaps around pipes or under sinks with duct tape to block mice from entering.
These methods can help you get rid of mice without needing to buy expensive or toxic solutions.
