Dealing with a mouse infestation in your garage can be frustrating, but there are several effective methods you can use to get rid of them for good. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to get rid of mice in your garage.

Prevent Mice from Entering Your Garage

The first step is to prevent more mice from entering your garage in the first place. Here are some tips:

Seal Up Entry Points

Look for any cracks, holes or gaps in your garage’s exterior and seal them up with caulk, steel wool, cement or other sealing materials. Pay close attention around the base of doors, under the garage door, and where utilities like pipes and wires enter the garage.

Use Weather Stripping

Install weather stripping around garage doors to seal up any gaps. Make sure the stripping forms a tight seal along the bottom and sides of the door. Replace any worn or damaged weather stripping.

Repair Garage Doors

Fix any holes, damage or gaps in the garage doors themselves. These provide easy access points for mice. Replace broken garage door panels, tighten up bolts/screws, and adjust the door so it closes tightly.

Trim Vegetation

Cut back bushes, trees and branches touching the exterior garage walls. Mice can climb these to get onto the roof or top of the garage.

Remove Mouse Entry Points Inside Garage

Mice can also get in through interior gaps in your garage. Reduce access by:

Sealing openings around pipes, wires, vents and utilities with caulk, foam or metal covers.
Fixing holes in interior walls and the ceiling with patching materials.
Installing weather stripping around interior doorways leading to the house.
Keeping the garage floor clear of clutter. Store items in sealed containers.

Traps to Catch Mice

Trapping is an effective method for removing mice in your garage. Some options:

Snap Traps

These kill mice instantly using a quick snap mechanism. Place them along baseboards or anywhere you see signs of mice.

Live Traps

These catch mice alive without killing them. Once caught, release the mouse far away from your home.

Glue Traps

Mouse glue traps immobilize mice when they step onto the sticky surface. Once caught, dispose of the trap with the mouse.

Bucket Traps

A bucket trap uses ramps and bait to lure mice to a bucket where they cannot escape. Check it frequently to dispose of caught mice.

When using traps, use peanut butter, chocolate or cheese as bait. Place traps near walls, in corners, or along known mouse runways.

Repellents and Deterrents

There are also several DIY options to repel mice and make your garage less inviting:

Peppermint Oil

Mice dislike the strong scent of peppermint. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and leave them around the garage.

Mothballs

The odor from mothballs deter mice. Scatter mothballs around the perimeter of the garage. Avoid direct contact with edible items.

Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic pest repellers emit high-frequency soundwaves to drive mice away. Plug them in around the garage.

Lighting

Keep the garage well-lit using motion sensor lights or standard bulbs. Mice prefer dark areas.

Remove All Food Sources

Mice are attracted to easily accessible food sources. Some tips:

Clean up any spilled pet food, crumbs or leftover debris.
Store human and pet food in chew-proof metal or glass containers.
Take out the garbage regularly. Use lidded trash cans.
Compost and store garden items outside the garage.
Clean up grease spills and curb oil leaks in vehicles.

Get a Cat

Cats are excellent hunters and will help curb the mouse population while deterring new ones from entering. Let your cat roam the garage freely. Make sure to provide food, water and a litter box for them.

Call a Professional Exterminator

For severe rodent infestations, calling a pest control company is advised. They have industrial chemicals and methods to fully eliminate mice. Professionals can also find hard-to-reach entry points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most effective way to get rid of mice in a garage?

The most effective approach is to use a combination of sealing up entry points, setting traps, using deterrents, removing food sources, and employing a cat or professional exterminator for serious infestations. This provides both preventive and removal measures.

What smells repel mice from garages?

Strong scents like peppermint oil, mothballs and ammonia repel mice. They dislike these strong odors.

How do you make a homemade mouse trap?

You can make simple yet effective homemade mouse traps using a bucket, wooden board, plastic bottle or can. There are many easy DIY trap designs online using basic supplies found at home.

What poison kills mice instantly?

Bromethalin is a strong single-feeding mouse poison that often kills mice within a few hours. However, poison also poses risks to humans and pets. Fast-acting traps are the safest option.

Do ultrasonic repellers keep mice away?

Tests show mixed results, but many homeowners report success using ultrasonic devices to repel mice. They may deter mice by emitting unpleasant high-frequency sounds. Work best alongside other deterrents.

Will mothballs keep mice out of my garage?

Yes, mothballs can be an effective repellent due to their strong odor. Scatter mothballs around the interior perimeter of the garage, avoiding contact with food. Replace monthly as the smell fades.

Does peanut butter attract mice to traps?

Yes, mice are attracted to the scent and taste of peanut butter. It works very effectively as bait on snap traps and live cage traps. Use a small dab on the trigger area of traps.

Conclusion

Controlling an existing mouse problem and preventing future ones in your garage requires diligence. Be sure to seal all possible entryways, maintain cleanliness, remove food attractants, employ traps and repellents, and use natural predators like cats. With regular monitoring and maintenance, your garage can stay free of mice for good. Consistent prevention and removal measures provide the best defense against these unwelcome pests.

How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Garage