Place a drop or two on a cotton ball. Place a cotton ball under or near your garbage can to deter mice from getting into it. Place the cotton balls in areas where mice are likely to enter your house, by doorways, or heat vents, etc. Peppermint oil cotton balls need to be replaced after 5-7 days, depending upon the quantity of oil you put on it. Try growing peppermint plants near the entryways. You can use the mint in cooking, as well as it serving a deterrent purpose.

Be sure to keep the feces out of the reach of children and pets.

These work only on a single line of sight, so you need to know the exact path the mice are taking. The units may only work for a short time because mice can become used to them. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of California Integrated Pest Management Program Research-based pest management program run by the University of California’s Cooperative Extension Go to source

These products should be available at your local gardening or home improvement center. If you want a specific product, try doing an online search to see where it is available locally.

Shelters and adoption agencies often do not know if a cat is a good mouse hunter, and generally do not test for this. Sometimes this information is available, but usually not. While many mousers are great pets as well, not all are. “Barn cats” may not be socialized well with humans, although used to hunting mice for food. Even if you do not have a cat, you can use used kitty litter to deter mice. Place tubs of used kitty litter around entrances of the house. The mice will sniff the smell of cat urine and clear off in a jiffy. If you have a large infestation, a cat may not be enough to totally get rid of it. However, once you eliminate the infestation, a cat will probably prevent reinfestation. [3] X Trustworthy Source University of California Integrated Pest Management Program Research-based pest management program run by the University of California’s Cooperative Extension Go to source

Make sure the shelter box has no nails or safety hazards. A barn owl is the best. A family of barn owls can eat many mice in a night! However, you might attract other types of owls or birds of prey with your nesting box.

Mark the spot with caulk if it was hard to find, so that you can find it again easily.

Use spackle or caulk to seal holes that are relatively small. If you have larger holes that can’t be fixed with caulk or spackle, you will need to patch your plaster or drywall. This is a bigger job but important, as a mouse can surely fit through a bigger hole. Make sure baseboards are secured and do not have gaps so that mice can’t squeeze out from behind them. If trapped within the walls, mice may chew new holes. This is why it is important to give them a chance to leave before sealing up the exterior entry point. This is one of the most effective ways to get rid of mice, and you won’t have to resort to traps or poison. [4] X Expert Source Kevin CarrilloPest Control Specialist Expert Interview. 22 October 2019.

Once you are sure that the interior walls are secure, seal any holes on the exterior of your building. You may use plastic scouring pads, but in some cases, walls may need tuck-pointing or other repairs.

Clean up the area around the entrance. Remove feces and disinfect the area to get rid of the smell. Use a solution of one part bleach and ten parts water to accomplish this.

Once you catch them, you will need to release them at least 1 mile (1. 6 km) from your home, perhaps in a heavily wooded area to give them somewhere else to go. Killing or removing rodents alone will not typically solve the problem, nor keep mice gone for long. When animals are killed or removed, more will move in to use available resources. In fact, killing or removing mice can actually result in a temporary spike in the food supply, causing remaining rodents to breed. Still, it is better to reduce the population rather than give up.

The mouse will enter under the bowl and reach up for the chocolate, upsetting the balance. The bowl will fall and trap the mouse underneath. Remove the mouse and place it far away from the house.

The mouse should try to get the food and jump in to the aquarium. Once inside, the mouse should be trapped by the high walls. Check the trap frequently. Put a top on the aquarium if you find a mouse in there. Release the mouse well away from the house.

Take the whole thing outside and walk (or run!) the basket, mouse, and towel as far from your home as possible. Once you’re far from your home, release the mouse.