If you’ve found mouse droppings, heard scratching, or spotted a mouse indoors, act quickly. The best way to get rid of mice is to combine trapping, sealing entry points, removing food and water sources, and cleaning safely. Traps may catch mice already inside, but sealing gaps helps prevent more from coming in.
1. Look for signs of mice in your house
Check places where mice can hide or find food, including kitchen cabinets, behind appliances, basements, attics, crawl spaces, and around pipes. Common signs include droppings, gnaw marks, nesting material, and food packaging with chew marks. Clean an area safely, then check it again for new droppings to help determine whether mice are still active. (cdc.gov)
2. Set snap traps where mice travel in your house
Use mouse-sized snap traps and place them where you’ve seen signs of activity. Set traps along walls, behind appliances, or in the backs of cabinets and drawers. Place the baited end next to the wall so the trap forms a T shape with it. A small amount of bait, such as peanut butter, may help attract mice.
Check traps daily and keep them away from children and pets. Continue trapping until you no longer catch mice or find fresh signs of activity. The CDC recommends snap traps and advises against glue and live traps. (cdc.gov)
3. Seal holes and gaps around your home
Mice can squeeze through a gap about the width of a pencil, so inspect your home carefully. Check around pipes, doors, windows, vents, the foundation, and places where cables or utility lines enter.
Seal small holes with steel wool and caulk, and use sturdy materials such as metal mesh, hardware cloth, or cement to close larger openings. Check the garage, basement, attic, and crawl space as well as the rooms where you’ve seen mice. (cdc.gov)
4. Remove food, water, and hiding places
Make your home less inviting to mice by storing pantry food, pet food, and animal feed in tightly sealed containers. Clean up crumbs and spills, wash dishes promptly, secure garbage, and put away pet food and water bowls overnight. Reduce clutter, especially piles of paper, cardboard, and fabric that can provide nesting material.
5. Clean droppings safely
Wear rubber or plastic gloves. Do not sweep or vacuum mouse droppings, urine, or nesting material, because this can stir contaminated particles into the air. Spray the waste with a household disinfectant or an EPA-registered disinfectant, let it soak according to the product label, then wipe it up with paper towels. Disinfect the surface afterward and wash your hands when you finish.
If you find a dead mouse or nest, spray it and the surrounding area with disinfectant before handling it. Place the waste in a plastic bag, seal it, then place that bag inside a second bag for disposal.
Should you use mouse poison in your house?
Traps and exclusion are good first steps for many household mouse problems. If you choose a rodenticide, use only a product labeled for the situation and follow its directions exactly. Keep bait in tamper-resistant stations and where children, pets, and wildlife cannot reach it. (epa.gov)
When to call a pest control professional for mice in your house
Consider professional help if mice keep returning after you’ve set traps and sealed visible gaps, or if you hear activity in walls, ceilings, or other hard-to-reach areas. A professional can inspect for entry points and help address activity you may not be able to access safely.
Environmental Pest Control provides mice and rodent control, prevention, and entry-point seal-up services in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Request a free estimate or inspection, or learn more about mice and rodent control. (environmentalpc.com)
Quick checklist for getting rid of mice
- Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and possible entry points.
- Place mouse snap traps near signs of activity, away from children and pets.
- Seal holes and gaps with suitable materials.
- Store food securely and remove crumbs, clutter, and other attractants.
- Clean droppings and nests with disinfectant, not a broom or vacuum.
- Contact a professional if activity continues or mice are in inaccessible areas.
