How to Keep Mice Out of Your House

How to Keep Mice Out of Your House

The best way to keep mice out of your house is to block the ways they get inside, remove the things attracting them, and make potential entry areas less inviting.

Mice are looking for food, water, warmth, and shelter. Once they find an easy way into a home, they may begin nesting in walls, attics, basements, garages, cabinets, and other protected spaces.

Find and Seal Mouse Entry Points

Keeping mice outside starts with inspecting your home for possible entrances.

Look carefully around:

• Doors and garage doors

• Windows

• Foundations

• Pipes and utility lines

• Exterior vents

• Siding

• Rooflines

• Openings around cables and wiring

Even small gaps may provide rodents with access. Seal appropriate openings and repair damaged areas whenever possible.

Remove Food That Attracts Mice

Mice don't need much food to encourage them to stay.

Store pantry foods in closed containers and keep countertops and floors free of crumbs. Secure pet food, birdseed, and other animal feed.

Garbage containers should also remain tightly closed.

Eliminate Mouse Hiding Places

Mice prefer quiet, protected locations where they can hide and build nests.

Reduce clutter in basements, garages, attics, closets, and storage areas. Avoid leaving piles of cardboard, paper, fabric, or other potential nesting materials undisturbed for long periods.

Use Mouse Repellent Around Problem Areas

A scent-based mouse repellent can help make treated locations less attractive to rodents.

Focus applications on appropriate areas where mice may enter or travel, including:

• Around potential entry points

• Garage areas

• Basements

• Attics

• Storage spaces

• Areas where you've noticed droppings or gnawing

• Other known mouse travel routes

Always apply and reapply according to the product label directions.

Don't Wait Until You See a Mouse

Seeing a mouse inside your house isn't always the first sign of rodent activity.

Droppings, scratching noises, gnawed packaging, nesting material, or unusual odors can also indicate mice are present.

Taking preventative steps early can help keep a small problem from becoming a larger one.

The Best Strategy for Keeping Mice Outside

There isn't one single solution for keeping mice out of a house.

For better protection, combine sealing entry points, removing accessible food, reducing clutter and nesting areas, and using a rodent repellent around appropriate problem locations.

Making your home harder to enter—and less attractive once mice arrive—is the foundation of effective mouse prevention.