Tips and Strategies
How to Get Rid of Mice
Get strategies to control mice based on their natural habits and learn about treatment options.
Mice: A Big Problem in a Pint-Sized Package
You see a shadow move from out of the corner of your eye. Then, you start noticing droppings along your baseboards, in the pantry, and maybe even on the kitchen countertops. You might as well face it - you have mice. Once you get over the "yuck" factor, there are some simple, no-nonsense steps you can take to get rid of them.
Use Mice Behavior Against Them
Mice are creatures of habit - they like to take the same path to and from their nests. They're also very curious, so they'll check out any new thing along the way. Those two behaviors will help you control your mice problem. Put your traps or bait stations in several places where you see droppings. If you don't catch a mouse within 2 days, move the trap or bait station to another spot.
Keep Food Away from Mice
Mice need a nice, warm place to live. Your house will do just fine. They also need only a little food, and not much water. The moisture in fruit and bread is enough. Make sure you store your grains and cereals in sealed containers. You should also store your fruit, potatoes, and other perishables in your refrigerator. Sweep or vacuum up any crumbs, and keep your garbage can lid on nice and tight.
Dog Food: Delicious to Mice.
If you leave a bowl of food outside for your dog, you're effectively hanging out a sign on your home that says "Mouse Cafe". If you leave some food in a bowl inside, you're encouraging any pests you have to ignore the bait you've put out.
Make Your House Less Inviting
Mice can find a way into your house pretty easily. They can fit through a hole the size of a dime. That's why it's important to seal any cracks or openings around your foundation, windows, garage, or anywhere else. If you have rough siding on your house, such as brick, they can climb right up to the second floor without any problem, so be sure to check for openings at that level as well.
See the article Rodent-Proofing Your Home for more information.
Traps vs. Baits: What Works Best for You?
The method you choose to control your mouse problem depends on your needs and preferences. Tomcat offers a wide range of rodent solutions to fit your individual scenario. Can you stand seeing the mouse once it's caught? Do you want to see evidence that it is dead? Fortunately, you have options. There are products that take advantage of a mouse's natural curiosity and need to scavenge food.
Traps can be baited with peanut butter, cheese, or Tomcat® Attractant Gel to lure the mouse in for capture. They provide evidence of an effective capture or kill to track behavior as well. There are several different kinds of trap that each provide unique benefits for rodent control. If you don't want to see the mouse after it's dead, try the Tomcat® Kill & Contain® Mouse Trap. If you don't mind seeing the mouse once it's dead, try the easy to use Tomcat® Press 'N Set® Mouse Trap. If you prefer a catch and release option, use the Tomcat® Live Catch Mouse Trap.
Baits are placed in a bait station where the mouse enters, nibbles on the bait block, then leaves, and usually dies in its nest within 1 to 2 days. It will not remain in the station. Stations are available in child resistant, like the Tomcat® Mouse Killer Child Resistant, Disposable Station, and child & dog resistant, like the Tomcat® Mouse Killer Child & Dog Resistant, Disposable Station, options. The child & dog resistant stations can be used indoors or outdoors while the child resistant stations are intended for indoor use only. Bait stations can be disposable, for smaller problems, or refillable, for large infestations. The good news is each 1-oz. bait block in a Tomcat® Mouse Killer bait station kills a lot of mice* (up to 12)!
*Based on no-choice laboratory testing
