How to Prevent Mice from Entering Your House

Seal entry points smaller than a quarter-inch, eliminate food sources, and maintain a clean perimeter around your home to effectively prevent mice infestations.

  1. Block the Entry Points. Walk around your home's foundation, looking for gaps around pipes, vents, and utility lines. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. Use steel wool stuffed into gaps, then seal with caulk or expanding foam. Pay special attention to areas where different building materials meet, as these naturally create small gaps over time.
  2. Seal Every Door Gap. Install door sweeps on exterior doors, ensuring no gap exists between the sweep and threshold. Check weather stripping around doors and windows, replacing any that's cracked or compressed. For garage doors, install a bottom seal that creates a tight barrier against the concrete floor.
  3. Remove Food and Water. Store all pantry items in airtight containers made of glass or hard plastic. Don't leave pet food out overnight, and clean up crumbs immediately after meals. Fix leaky pipes and eliminate standing water, as mice need both food and water to survive. Keep kitchen counters wiped down and sweep floors daily.
  4. Clear Your Home's Perimeter. Trim vegetation back at least two feet from your home's foundation to eliminate hiding spots and jumping-off points. Remove debris piles, woodpiles, and tall grass near the house. Keep garbage cans tightly sealed and stored away from the building. Clean up fallen fruit from trees promptly.
  5. Seal Interior Gaps. Seal gaps around interior pipes under sinks with foam or caulk. Check behind appliances for openings where utility lines enter, and seal these areas. Install fine mesh over dryer vents and other exhaust openings. Keep storage areas organized and off the floor when possible.
  6. Deploy Backup Defenses. Sprinkle peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them near potential entry points, refreshing monthly. Consider ultrasonic repellent devices in basements or attics, though results vary. Maintain a gravel or concrete strip around your foundation to make burrowing difficult.