Stop Mice from Getting Into Your House

Mice need only a dime-sized gap to enter, and become more active in homes during colder months as they seek warm shelter. Your strategy: seal entry points, eliminate food sources, then trap any stragglers already inside.

Step 1: Find and Seal Entry Points (Priority #1)

1. Inspect foundation, siding, and where utilities enter (pipes, cables, vents). Look for gaps, cracks, or holes.
2. Seal gaps ¼ inch or larger with steel wool + caulk combo (mice can't chew through steel).
3. Use expanding foam for larger gaps, but stuff steel wool in first — foam alone gets chewed through.
4. Install door sweeps on exterior doors if you see daylight underneath.
5. Cap chimneys with mesh screens, cover roof vents with ¼-inch hardware cloth.

Step 2: Eliminate Food and Shelter

• Store all food (including pet food, birdseed) in sealed containers — not cardboard or bags.
• Clean up crumbs immediately, don't leave dishes overnight.
• Move woodpiles, debris, and dense vegetation away from foundation (3+ feet).
• Keep garage/basement clutter off the floor — mice nest in piles of fabric, paper, cardboard.

Step 3: Trap Any Mice Already Inside

• Use snap traps or humane catch-and-release traps baited with peanut butter, placed along walls where you see droppings.
• Check traps daily. Dispose of dead mice in sealed bags or release live mice far from your home.
• If infestation is large (10+ droppings daily), call a pest control professional.

Pro tip: Peppermint oil and ultrasonic repellents are largely ineffective — sealing entry points is the ONLY permanent solution. Mice are active year-round but invade homes more frequently as fall temperatures drop and they search for warm overwintering spots.