How can you drive mice out of a house? - briefly
Seal all cracks, gaps, and utility openings to prevent ingress, then deploy snap or live traps along walls and use rodent‑repellent products while keeping food sources and clutter eliminated. Maintain regular inspection and removal of any captured mice to ensure the infestation does not recur.
How can you drive mice out of a house? - in detail
Mice enter homes seeking food, shelter, and water. Eliminate the infestation by addressing entry points, reducing attractants, and employing control devices.
Identify and seal openings. Inspect walls, foundation, roof, windows, doors, and utility penetrations. Use steel wool, copper mesh, or cement‑based sealant to close gaps larger than ¼ inch. Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens.
Remove food sources. Store dry goods in airtight containers, clean crumbs and spills immediately, and keep pet food in sealed bins. Dispose of garbage daily and use containers with tight‑fitting lids.
Control humidity. Fix leaking pipes, drips, and condensation sources. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas such as basements and crawl spaces.
Deploy trapping methods. Choose snap traps for rapid kill, positioning them perpendicular to walls with the trigger end facing the mouse’s travel route. Place multiple traps near known activity zones—behind appliances, along baseboards, and in cabinets. Check traps daily and dispose of captured rodents promptly.
Apply bait stations where snap traps are impractical. Use tamper‑resistant boxes containing anticoagulant or bromethalin pellets. Follow label instructions for dosage and placement, keeping stations out of reach of children and pets.
Consider electronic repellents only as supplemental measures; they do not replace sealing and trapping. Natural deterrents such as peppermint oil or ultrasonic emitters lack consistent scientific support and should not be relied upon as primary control.
Maintain a regular monitoring routine. After sealing and trapping, inspect for fresh droppings, gnaw marks, or new damage weekly for at least one month. Re‑seal any new openings that appear.
If activity persists despite these actions, contact a licensed pest‑management professional for integrated pest‑management strategies, including professional‑grade baits and exclusion services.