How to Keep Mice Out?

Fall is coming to Michigan. I have an unreasonable fear of mice and this is when they are looking to get into the house. We live on a ravine, wooded lot and they love it here. We have spread lime granules around the foundation, bought those electric devices with the high pitched sound to keep them away (worthless) and set traps in the attached garage in the past.

My husband recently read that peppermint oil and fox urine are both mouse deterrents. Does anyone know the effectiveness of either of these? Or any other ideas? I'm open to anything, but want to find what works and just keep them away from the house period. Even them getting caught in traps in the garage is too close for me. We do have a small house dog, so poisons are scary. Thanks.

Sharon from Stevensville, MI

Answers:

How to Keep Mice Out?

Try steel wool. When we moved into our new house I found dozens of holes the contractors left leading to the outside (or inside if you are a mouse) I stuffed steel wool into all of the holes including in the garage. They cannot chew through steel wool. (09/22/2008)

By DEBRADJ.

How to Keep Mice Out?

Buy the original Irish Spring soap (must be the original green soap), peel the soap with a potato peeler so you are making peels. Sprinkle this wherever you think that they are coming in. Keeps out squirrels and chipmunks too.

(09/22/2008)

By Cathy from MA

How to Keep Mice Out?

Get a cat. (09/22/2008)

By Louise B.

How to Keep Mice Out?

I have captured dozens of pesky mice. Fill a pail with water run a rod through a hole in each side of pail poke holes in pop or beer can put can in middle of rod. Put peanut butter on can. When they get on can voila fall in pail drowned mouse. It works and is cheap. Using soap, I think not. They love soap. (09/22/2008)

By sheila

How to Keep Mice Out?

I looked through all this feedback, and I like my non-toxic, humane way best. I use a tilting trap that shuts once the mouse goes inside. I have a huge garbage can full of yard waste and I pop him into that, so he gets to live in paradise at the landfill. The traps are little plastic things, cheap enough to throw away in one piece if you want. I get them at WalMart and at my farm supply place. (09/22/2008)

By Kim Churchman

How to Keep Mice Out?

The best thing I've ever found to get rid of mice and rats is a product called Ramik Bars. You can buy these at most farm supply stores or old fashioned hardware stores. They come 8 bars to a pack. You break them up and spread them around where you think the rodents are. They eat them, and they die.

But, unlike other poisons, they don't smell when they die because whatever is in the bars, it dehydrates them. When you find a dead rodent, it will be as flat as a pancake. My husband got this idea from a farmer who was overrun with mice in his barn before he started using the Ramik bars, and now he never sees any mice except for flat, dead ones. (09/22/2008)

By Jackolyn Smith

How to Keep Mice Out?

Rataway works on mice, squirrels, rats, raccoons, dogs, cats, etc. (09/29/2008)

By Rick Suddes

How to Keep Mice Out?

Fabric Softener Sheets help with this. They don't like the strong smell. (10/04/2008)

By Shannon

How to Keep Mice Out?

I store my prize MGB convertible for the winter in unheated out side storage garage. I have used Moth Balls for 5 years, they seem to work well, no evidence of mice so far. I'll continue to use them this winter. (10/13/2008)

By DHU

How to Keep Mice Out?

We just went through months of nightmare with mice also, called the exterminator who covered up all visible holes inside and out of the house, also discovered that there was a space of about 1 inch behind the wall and the floor behind the stove, dishwasher and back of the kitchen counters, which were exactly where these little critters were coming into our house from the basement.

We bought a screen with the smallest holes we could find at Home Depot, pulled stove and dishwasher and placed the screen really well and tight, covered extra holes with steel wool and dropped moth balls in basement and around the outside of the house.

We also have baits everywhere. I tell you, it worked, we haven't seen one since. Try it, it may take a couple of weekends project, but will work if you are determined to look every inch of the house. Place moth balls or peppermint inside your fireplace and though some in the attic too. Good luck. I know what you are going through. (11/11/2008)

By Diana B.

How to Keep Mice Out?

Do not use mothballs. Mothballs contain camphor which is a carcinogen. (I have learned that from several reputable sources). My grandmother had breast cancer and she has used mothballs for all her closets all her life. Horrible smell. If it smells bad it's a good indication that it's probably poisonous for you. (01/28/2009)

By Alexandra