How to Get Rid of Mice
One mouse is never just one mouse. If you've spotted droppings, heard scratching in the walls, or found chewed-up food packaging... you've got a problem that won't solve itself. The good news is most mouse infestations can be handled without an exterminator if you catch them early enough.
Signs of Infestation
Droppings
Small, dark pellets about the size of a grain of rice. You'll find them along walls, under sinks, inside cabinets, and near food sources. A single mouse produces 50 to 75 droppings per day.
Gnaw marks
Mice chew constantly to keep their teeth worn down. Look for small, rough-edged holes in food packaging, baseboards, drywall, and even electrical wiring. Fresh gnaw marks are lighter in color.
Scratching sounds at night
Mice are most active between dusk and dawn. Scratching or scurrying in walls, ceilings, or under floors is a classic sign... especially in winter when they move indoors.
Nesting material
Shredded paper, fabric, insulation, or plant matter tucked into quiet corners. Check behind appliances, inside storage boxes, and in garage clutter.
Grease marks along walls
Mice run the same paths repeatedly, leaving dark smudge marks from the oils in their fur. These rub marks appear along baseboards and around entry holes.
Musty ammonia smell
Mouse urine has a strong, stale smell that builds up over time. If a room or cabinet has a persistent musty odor... especially near food storage... investigate.
DIY Treatment Methods
Snap traps
$1 to $3 per trapStill the most effective mouse trap after 100+ years. Place them perpendicular to walls with the trigger end touching the baseboard. Use peanut butter as bait... not cheese. Set at least 6 to 12 traps for a moderate infestation.
Seal entry points
$10 to $25 for steel wool and caulkMice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime. Fill gaps around pipes, vents, and foundations with steel wool stuffed into the hole and sealed over with caulk. Mice can't chew through steel wool.
Bait stations
$15 to $30 for a 4-packTamper-resistant plastic boxes that hold rodenticide. Place them along walls and near entry points. These are safer around kids and pets than loose bait, but the mice die in walls and can cause odor. Use as a backup to traps.
Peppermint oil deterrent
$8 to $12 per bottleSoak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them near entry points. It won't eliminate an existing infestation, but some evidence suggests it discourages mice from entering. Reapply every 2 weeks.
Prevention Tips
- ✓Store all food in glass or metal containers... mice chew right through plastic and cardboard.
- ✓Take out trash daily and use cans with tight-fitting lids.
- ✓Seal any gap larger than 1/4 inch around your foundation, pipes, and utility lines.
- ✓Keep firewood at least 20 feet from the house and 5 inches off the ground.
- ✓Trim tree branches that hang within 4 feet of your roof.
- ✓Declutter storage areas... mice love undisturbed piles of stuff for nesting.
When to Call a Professional
If you've set traps for 2 weeks and you're still catching mice, or if you're finding droppings in multiple rooms, you're dealing with a larger infestation than DIY can handle. Also call a pro if you hear mice in your walls but can't find entry points... they might be coming in through your attic or crawl space. Professionals can do a full exclusion (sealing every entry point) and set up monitoring stations.
Exterminator Cost
Average professional treatment cost
$200 to $600
Varies by severity, home size, and region
Recommended Products
Victor M154 Metal Pedal Snap Traps (12-pack)
The classic wood-base snap trap. Cheap, reliable, reusable. Set a dozen at once for best results.
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Xcluder Rodent Control Steel Wool Fill Fabric
Stainless steel wool designed specifically for sealing gaps. Mice can't chew through it. Stuff it into holes and cover with caulk.
View on Amazon →
Tomcat Bait Station with Bromethalin
Tamper-resistant bait station safe to use around kids and pets. Place along walls near activity areas.
View on Amazon →
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This guide is for informational purposes. For severe infestations or health concerns, consult a licensed pest control professional.