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Mouse Deterrents

Illustration of House Mouse

Illustration of House Mouse

How Do Mice Get Inside?

Residents often find mice or evidence of the damage they cause in houses. These rodents’ natural ability to gnaw, climb, and squeeze through small holes or gaps often help them enter sheltered areas of homes. These include:

  • attics

  • basements

  • garages

Before the pests move indoors, using mouse deterrents may help to keep them away.

Prevention

In order to deter mice from entering an attic or crawl space, residents should first inspect the outside of the house. Mice enjoy easy access to the indoors through:

  • holes in roofing

  • uncapped chimneys

  • poorly sealed garage doors

  • ill-fitting screens

Be sure to fill all holes and create barriers to window and door openings. This is vital to stop the rodents from nesting inside.

Mouse Deterrents

Homeowners may be tempted to set up a mouse deterrent that makes the home unpleasant for these pests. Some common repellents include peppermint oil, mothballs, and ammonia. Promoters of these mouse deterrents claim that these methods release odors to repel the pests, but there is currently little proof these work.

Getting Rid of Mice

Mouse deterrents are not always effective. Certain methods, like mothballs, are toxic and can be harmful to humans or pets as well. Closing holes and gaps is a better method for repelling rodents, but it is difficult to find every possible entry point.

For effective solutions to mouse problems, especially if the mouse population Is well established and large, it will be necessary to contact the trained specialists at Orkin. Teams of pest experts will work to remove and deter rodents from the home and other places on the property safely.

Resources

Dig Deeper on Mice

What can we do about the mice above the ceiling?

Q

Our basement is finished with JYP rock tiles on the ceiling, and we can hear at times (especially at night) mice scurrying above. What can we do?

Is it a mouse or a rat?

Q

I can't tell if I have large mice or adolescent rats.

What should we do about mice in crawl space and attic?

Q

What should we do besides put traps out?

Is it a mole or a mouse?

Q

No websites give any information on getting rid of one in the house. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mice in the oven

Q

How do you make sure there is no infestation, or that they have been removed? Is it safe to use the oven?

Mouse droppings in the house

Q

We cleaned out the closet by the kitchen where we have seen the old droppings and have not seen any more. Are they gone?

What attracts mice in your house?

Q

What attracts mice in your house?

How to Use Mouse Bait Stations

How to Find a Dead Mouse in the House

Field Mice

Field mouse illustration

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