If you suffer from mice residing in your garage, you need to develop a good plan to eliminate them and keep them away for good. Some people try to solve the problem on their own by setting traps, but this is rarely effective because mice quickly learn to avoid the traps.
The only way to tackle the problem is to do it full on. The problem can be taken care of for good, but you need to take a more systematic approach.
In this article, we’ll give you our top-notch advice and recommendations about how to rid your garage of mice.
What Causes Mice in a Garage?
There are many reasons that a homeowner may discover mice in a garage. Some of the most common reasons are:
- They’re hungry
- They need a source of water
- They need a warm and dry place to live
When rodents do not have adequate food, water, or shelter, they will seek these basic necessities elsewhere. Mice and rats are very adept at finding food and water sources in a garage.
Ways To Get Rid of Mice From the Garage
Fortunately there are plenty of ways to remove mice from your garage. Even though they can enter through the smallest of cracks and holes, by treating them as the enemy, and following the steps below, you’ll be rid of those mice in no time.
DOs
- Close Off Gaps
- Inspect your garage thoroughly for cracks and holes . Especially look at the garage roof area for damage where a rodent can squeeze into.
2. Clean Up Your Garage
- Garages can be a magnet for vermin such as mice, which may end up as your unwanted roommates if you aren’t careful. Keep boxes off the garage floor. Sweep everywhere you can and remove all debris.
3. Declutter and Reorganize
- With so many of us storing things in our garages, clutter can take over quickly. So, how can you declutter and organize a small space like a garage? Try purchasing sealing containers and throwing away all unnecessary items to stay clutter free.
4. Cut Back Bushes and Plants
- To get rid of mice in your garage, you must cut back your bushes and plants. Mice often use bushes and plants as a source of food and shelter. Cutting back these bushes and plants will help to get rid of mice.
- If you do not cut back these bushes and plants, you will still find mice hiding in them, even after you kill the mice that are already in the garage. Therefore, it is very important to cut back these bushes and plants if you want to prevent any future mice infestations.
5. Strategically Set Bait Stations
- Getting rid of mice in your garage can be a constant hassle. If you have tried everything to no avail, it may be time to try something a little more strategic. Mice often travel in groups.
- Once you get one mouse out of your garage, you may get many more, so you need to be strategic about where you place bait stations. Bait stations are a great way to rid your garage of mice.
- Controlling mice is a full-time job and you will need to keep up on your baits throughout the year. Bait stations are just one of many tools you need to make sure the mice do not return.
DONTs
1.Using Sound Machines or Ultrasonic Repellers
- Mice have been a pest for thousands of years, and while we have come up with all sorts of ways to get rid of these tiny rodents, most of us have made one crucial mistake: we’ve tried to use ultrasonic sound to get rid of them.
- While this idea may sound like a good one at first, it’s actually quite flawed. Mice have a range of hearing that is far above what we can hear, and yet they have very poor vision. So, using high-pitched noises to scare them off is basically a waste of time.
2. Relying on Essential Oils or Scents
- Mice seriously have an amazing sense of smell.. They have the ability to smell a huge variety of things. But do not rely on oils or scents to get rid of them. With the exception of peppermint oil, rodents aren’t too bothered by other oils.
3. Trusting Pets
- Mice are relatives of both rats and humans, and they are social creatures. That’s why we need to make sure that when we start getting rid of them, we don’t turn them into trusting pets.
- Mice have been known to seek out human company. They have even been known to invite other mice into their homes, just for a little company.
4. Covering Your Garage in Cayenne Pepper
- Some homeowners find that placing cayenne pepper on their garage floor can keep mice out. While it might indeed be effective, there are other things to consider.
- If a strong wind comes into the garage you might suffer from irritated eyes and sinus passageways. If you have pets you have to keep them out of the garage in case they get a nose full of pepper.
Also Read: How to Get a Skunk Out of Your Garage
How To Prevent Mice From Getting Into the Garage?
Mice are relentless critters, and they usually come back to a garage after being removed. The best way to prevent mice from getting back into a garage is to keep it clean and eliminate any food sources that are attracting them.
- Keep Seeds and Your Pet’s Food in a Sealed Containers or Bins
- Use a container to prevent mice from entering. Store your seeds and pet food in sealed bins. Mice will only carry your seeds and pet food back to their nests if they can locate them.
- If you keep your seeds and pet food in sealed containers or bins, mice won’t be able to get into them.
2. Reduce Clutter and Keep Things Organized
- There is a way to remove mice from your garage that involves trapping them and then releasing them outside. However, this method is not the most humane, since you have to relocate them and you never know where they will end up.
- Additionally, mice are territorial rodents and you may have to deal with them again in the future. Mice droppings and urine can cause health issues and are hard to get rid of. Therefore, it is not recommended that you try to use a mouse trap.
3. Seal Cracks and Gaps Leading Into the Garage
- Trying to keep mice out of your garage isn’t easy. Mice love to invade garages because they offer a warm, dry, and safe place to live. They also offer plenty of food, especially if you store your garbage cans in the garage.
- Sealing cracks and gaps leading into the garage is essential if you want to prevent mice from getting back into the garage after you have removed them.
4. Cut Back Tree Branches That Touch the Roof of the Garage
- Tree branches that touch the roof of the garage is all that mice need to invite themselves inside. It’s time to remove those branches. Be sure that you use the right tools.
- You’ll want to invest in a good pair of pruning shears, and you’ll want to be sure to use them correctly. It’s also a good idea to wear gloves, old clothing, and eye protection, at least.
5. Move Trash Cans Outdoors and Seal Them Tightly
- Mice can get into your garage through a number of entry points, but the easiest is through the trash. If you have a trash can, then you need to move it outdoors , because that is where mice will be looking for their next meal.
- If it is too large to take outside, then at least make sure it is lidded tightly . This will keep the mice out and keep the odors down, so you won’t have to smell them when you go into the garage.
6. Store Firewood Outdoors, As Far Away From Your Garage and House As Possible
- If you have a mice problem in your garage, you are probably doing everything you can to get rid of them. One of the most common mistakes you can make, however, is storing firewood close to your garage.
- Firewood provides food and shelter for mice, and they will take up residence in the pile if you leave it there. In addition, mice can chew through plastic, so even if you store the firewood in a metal shed, the mice can chew their way in.
Also Read: How to Keep Birds out of Garage
Conclusion
By now you should have some extremely valuable information and tips on how to rid your garage of mice. Mice can be particularly annoying. Just remember even the most basic things will keep them away such as:
- Sealing any cracks or entryways in the garage
- Cleaning the clutter
- Storing food away
With no food or water sources left, your mice problem will go away and you’ll be much happier.
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