Get Rid of Mice Naturally

Be careful with using poisons to rid your house of rodents. It will kill them, but you may not be able to find the dead animal and it may cause a stink! Depending on the severity of your problem, you have several options. If your house is completely infested, seek the help of a professional.

Steps

 * 1) Try peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is a natural deterrent. The smell is simply too intense for rodents and they will not try to go near it. It also helps to mask the scent of any tasty morsels that have been missed when cleaning. You can get peppermint oil in most health food stores and even some major grocery stores. Place a drop or two on a cotton ball. Place the cotton balls in areas where mice are likely to enter your house, by doorways or heat vents, etc. Another helpful deterrent is to grow peppermint plants near the entryways. You can use the mint in cooking as well as it serving a deterrent purpose.
 * 2) Seal the possible entries. Mice can get through tiny holes (if the head can get through, the body can), but the best way of having a mice free house is to close any possible entry. While this can be hard to achieve in old houses, it is the most effective solution. A good way to board up small holes is by using green kitchen pads (those used for cleaning pans and such) cut to the right size.
 * 3)  Stick steel wool in mouse holes. Steel wool pads will prevent mice from using the hole to get back into your house. Better still, it's too tough for mice to chew through.
 * 4)  Place tubs of used kitty litter around entrances the house. The mice will sniff the smell of cat urine and clear off in a jiffy.
 * 5)  Use dried snake poo. Visit a local reptile center, zoo, or pet store and ask for some dried snake poo. Place near entrances and in places where mice seem to go, out of the reach of children and pets.
 * 6) Bait some mouse traps if you're not squeamish or opposed to this method. Good old fashioned mouse traps baited with peanut butter or bacon grease tend to work. They are more humane than glue traps but occasionally fail to kill, and may just maim. Glue traps catch the mouse, but it will not kill them. You will have to do the deed yourself. Electric mouse traps are highly effective, they cost about US$25 st stores like Home Depot in the USA, or try other hardware stores such as Bunnings or Carters. These will electrocute a mouse within 10 seconds of contact.
 * 7) Try a humane trap. There are traps that catch the mouse in a box. The mouse can get in but not out. This can be a humane way to catch mice, but it can be a hassle because you must go to a remote location to release them. You don't want to throw them in the back yard because they will just come back in!
 * 8) Zap with beeps. There is an electronic unit that emits a beeping sound that rodents hate. This sound is not a hazard to dogs and cats and can be bought at hardware stores (e.g. Home Depot in the USA has these for about US$30). But some studies suggest that they are ineffective.
 * 9) Keep your home clean. If there is nothing to eat, they will be less likely to stay. Why not go out for dinner instead? Seriously, however, keep all food stored properly in airtight containers and in places that are safe from mouse attack.
 * 10)  Mixture of organic solutions. Companies like http://www.earth-kind.com use blends of organic solutions that would not be cost-effective to purchase for large applications.

Tips

 * Releasing a mouse into an unfamiliar environment usually means condemning it to death by exposure, starvation, or predation -- especially during the fall and winter when most homeowners notice mouse activity. You might ask yourself whether a quick death from a conventional trap is more humane.
 * Try placing a "peppermint ball" under or near your trash can.
 * Seal any entryway a mouse might use to enter the house.
 * Keep a clean home.
 * Smoke in the form of incense is an alternative natural deterrent, but you can't put it in the same tight spaces as peppermint balls.
 * Be sure to listen to expert advice on the matter if these responses do not work for you.
 * If the mice are smart, do not bait traps with peanut butter. They will lick the peanut butter right off the traps without springing them.
 * Fresh Cab is an organic blend that comes with a guarantee if it doesn't work for you.

Warnings

 * If you have a beloved pet that is a small rodent (gerbils, hamsters ect) make sure they are in their cage or better yet have them stay at a friend's house when laying mouse traps.
 * Mouse droppings can be hazardous to your health. Spray them down with bleach or disinfectant before cleaning them up.
 * The same can be said for a dead mouse. Do not handle the animal with bare hands.
 * Mice are very intelligent; some are capable of recognizing and avoiding conventional mousetraps
 * Some mice are resistant to anti-coagulant poisons such as arsenic
 * Mouse and rat poison is toxic to humans and other animals
 * A domestic animal that eats a poisoned rodent can also become sick or die from poisoning

Things You'll Need

 * Peppermint oil
 * Steel wool pads
 * Kitty litter
 * Traps
 * Good quality food storage

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Catch a Rodent in Your House
 * How to Get a Mouse Out of the House
 * How to Catch a Mouse