Mice and rodents are some of the most persistent pests that you'll ever encounter in urban environments. While there's a lot of options to catch and get rid of them, traps aren't exactly the option for everyone. Fortunately, there are a few non-trap options that you can look into to remove mice from your property - just make sure that you use these methods properly.
So how do you get rid of mice without traps? By far the most effective method of getting rid of a mouse invasion would be to use mouse repellent - which can range from artificial barriers to natural compounds. If these methods are done correctly, rodent infestations can be successfully kept at bay. Nonetheless, keep your eye on signs of rodent activity. If these infestations persist, it’s time to seek the help of pest control professionals.
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For many people, a snap mouse trap is their go-to when they think of methods to get rid of mice. While this certainly works sometimes, mice are clever rodents with an excellent sense of smell, as well as small and agile bodies that make your conventional traps - or at the very least, a wooden snap trap - difficult to use against them.
Some people think that traps in themselves are too aggressive to use on a mouse infestation, including the more “humane” traps that function as an alternative to your conventional mouse traps. Regardless of personal preference, some homeowners will just opt for a no-trap approach to getting rid of mice especially because there are children or household pets in the vicinity.
This is where mouse repellents come in handy. Since these methods focus on keeping mice out instead of capturing them after they come in, they're a more humane alternative even to non-lethal traps to keep mice at bay. You also have the option to choose between natural repellents and physical barriers aside from chemical products, which can be extremely useful for people who may have problems with artificial compounds.
Keep in mind that while these traps are effective at getting rid of the one or two odd mice, they're no match for when a severe infestation has already settled in your home. But if you're looking for an affordable option to get rid of a particularly small rodent problem, then these methods should work for you.
By far one of the most common mice repellents used for pest management is peppermint oil. The strong smell of the peppermint might be pleasing to the human nose, but it's absolutely irritating to mice.
Simply put some peppermint oil on a cotton swab and place it around areas that you know can attract mice, like a food source or somewhere with water. You can put additional cotton balls if needed, especially on a larger space.
Spices like Tabasco and cayenne peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which is responsible for the burning sensation that most spicy food gives. Unsurprisingly, they're also extremely effective mice repellents, since their sensitive smell makes them even more vulnerable to the scent of pepper compared to other animals.
There are various mixes and recipes of spice-based mice repellent that you can find online, so mix and match between recipes until you find one that works the best. Like the peppermint oil above, putting some of your spice mixture on a cotton ball can be a strong enough deterrent for some mice - you may need to spray them on surfaces if you want to cover a larger area.
This may sound a bit gross if you don't have a cat, but hear us out: mice are naturally afraid of the scent of cats. They recognize that it's a predator, and will actively avoid any areas with the smell of cat urine on them. Simply place the kitty litter in shallow containers without any lid, and put them around the entry points in your home.
If you do have a cat and a mouse has made their way inside your home, you can reasonably expect your furry friend to track it down - or at the very least, chase it away. Cats are more likely to hunt down mice because of their smaller size, compared to rodents that may put up a fight.
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These repellents work well to make sure that your unwelcome furry guest quickly finds a new place to scarper off to, but they're less effective for long-term methods to keep away mice and pests in general. For urban areas where living spaces are so close together, mice can survive reasonably well on things like food debris and pet food. As a prolific breeder, mice populations can quickly escalate if you leave them unchecked.
But like all infestations, the best way to avoid a mice infestation is to prevent one from happening to begin with. If you've tried any of the methods above and want to increase your chances of never having to use them again, you should do the following:
Overall, keeping mice out of your home needs to be an active decision that you need to make consistently, just to make sure that you don't need to deal with things like traps and repellents ever again.
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Positive Pest Management has been a long-trusted name in New York City for rodent extermination and for the removal of other animals. Serving both commercial and residential properties, we help our clients with quick and long-term pest control solutions at affordable prices. Contact us at 1-800-294-3130 today to get your quote.
