How to Keep Mice Away – Easy Steps for Every Room

Got a little visitor that isn’t welcome? Mice can sneak into any room, especially bedrooms and storage areas. The good news is you can stop them before they set up camp. Below are straightforward actions that work right away.

Seal the Entry Points

The first thing to do is find where the mice are getting in. Walk around the house and look for tiny holes around pipes, vents, and baseboards. Even a hole the size of a pencil tip is enough for a mouse. Use steel‑wool or caulk to fill gaps; steel‑wool won’t be chewed through like rubber.

Don’t forget the doors. Install a door sweep on the bottom of exterior doors. It’s cheap and blocks the gap that mice love. If you have a garage, check the door where the garage opens to the house and seal any cracks.

Make Your Home Less Attractive

What draws mice in? Food, water, and shelter. Keep crumbs off counters, store food in sealed containers, and clean up spills right away. In the bedroom, avoid leaving snacks on nightstands.

Ensure there’s no standing water. Leaky faucets or pet water bowls left out overnight provide a water source. Fix leaks promptly and empty pet bowls before you head to bed.

Clutter is a mouse’s playground. Reduce piles of clothing, boxes, and paper. If you need storage, use airtight plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes that mice can chew through.

Use Simple Deterrents

Many people swear by peppermint oil. Soak a cotton ball, place it in corners, and replace weekly. The smell isn’t deadly, but it makes mice think the area is unsafe.

Another low‑cost option is to lay out steel wool in places you suspect mouse traffic. Mice can’t chew through it, and it forces them to look elsewhere.

Set Traps the Right Way

If you already see signs—droppings, gnaw marks—use traps. Snap traps are quick and humane when set correctly. Place them along walls, behind furniture, and near suspected entry points. Bait with peanut butter or a small piece of cheese; mice love the strong scent.

For a no‑kill approach, try live traps. Check them at least twice a day and release the mouse far from your house (at least a mile away). Remember to wear gloves when handling trapped mice.

When to Call a Pro

If you’ve tried sealing, cleaning, and trapping for a week and still see activity, it might be time for a professional pest controller. They can locate hidden nests and apply treatments safely.

Most services will also give you advice on how to prevent future invasions, so you don’t spend money on repeated visits.

Keeping mice away is mostly about denial—remove the food, water, shelter, and entry routes they need. A few quick fixes can make your home uninviting, and with the right traps you’ll catch any stragglers fast. Stay consistent, check regularly, and you’ll enjoy a mouse‑free space without stress.