How to Get Rid of Mice: Traps and Natural Repellents

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Finding mice in your home is more than just unpleasant. A mouse infestation can grow very fast. A female mouse can start having babies at just two months old, and she can give birth to a new litter every six to eight weeks. Each litter can have up to twelve baby mice. What starts as one or two mice can quickly turn into a serious problem. Knowing how to get rid of mice as early as possible is important.

Mice also cause real damage. They chew through food packaging, clothing, furniture, and even electrical wires, which can be a fire risk. They leave droppings and urine wherever they go, which can contaminate your food and spread disease. In fact, mice have been linked to more than 35 types of diseases. Their droppings can also trigger asthma and other respiratory problems, especially in children.

The good news is that there are several ways to deal with a mouse problem. In this article, we will talk about how to get rid of mice from your home using various methods, from traps to natural repellents. We will also share some tips to prevent the same problem from happening again. We gathered the information from various sources, Tuesday (24/2/2026).

Using a trap is one of the most effective ways to get rid of mice already inside your home. There are different types, but a live-catch (catch-and-release) trap is a popular choice because it is safe and humane.

1. Find Where Mice Travel: Look for dark smudge marks along walls, droppings, or signs of gnawing near food. Mice usually stay close to walls and rarely cross wide open spaces. These travel zones are the best places to set your trap.

2. Choose Your Bait: Mice are attracted to strong-smelling foods. Peanut butter is one of the best options. You can also use dried fruit, oats, or small pieces of chocolate. Wear rubber gloves when you handle the bait so your scent does not scare the mouse away.

3. Set the Trap Correctly: Place the trap at a right angle (90 degrees) to the wall, with the bait side facing the wall. This way, the mouse walks directly into the trap as it moves along its usual path. For snap traps, set them in pairs about 6 to 10 feet apart.

4. Check the Trap Often: Look at your trap at least twice a day. If you are using a live-catch trap, a mouse inside will not have food or water, so do not leave it there for long. If nothing has happened after two days, move the trap to a different location.

5. Release or Dispose of the Mouse Safely: For live traps, release the mouse at least one mile, ideally ten miles, from your home in a wooded area. Always wear gloves. For snap traps, spray the dead mouse and the surrounding area with a bleach-and-water solution before handling, then double-bag and dispose of it in the trash.

If you prefer not to use traps or chemicals, there are natural ways to make mice leave on their own. Mice have a very strong sense of smell, and certain scents are unbearable to them. Here are some effective natural options:

- Peppermint Oil: Mice hate the smell of peppermint. Put a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place it near entry points, under sinks, or anywhere you have noticed mouse activity. Replace the cotton balls every five to seven days to keep the scent strong.

- Ammonia: Ammonia smells like predator urine to a mouse, which naturally frightens them. Place small containers of ammonia near problem areas. Be careful with this one — the smell is strong for humans too, so use it only in well-ventilated spaces and keep it away from children and pets.

- Cayenne Pepper or Capsaicin: The spicy compound found in chili peppers is a natural irritant for mice. Sprinkle cayenne pepper powder along baseboards or around areas where mice travel. Keep it away from areas where children or pets play, as it can cause eye irritation.

- Used Kitty Litter: Even if you do not have a cat, the smell of cat urine signals danger to mice. Place small tubs of used kitty litter near entry points or in areas where mice have been spotted. The scent of a predator is often enough to keep them away.

- Ultrasonic Repellers: These plug-in devices emit a high-frequency sound that humans cannot hear, but that mice find very uncomfortable. They can work in the short term, but mice may get used to the sound over time. Use them as a supplementary method alongside other approaches.

Poison is an option to get rid of mice, but it comes with serious risks. Poisoned mice do not die immediately. They often crawl into walls or other hidden spaces before they die, making them very hard to find. The smell of a dead mouse inside a wall can last for weeks and is very unpleasant. Traps are generally safer and more practical for home use.

There is also a risk to other animals. Pets, birds of prey, and other wildlife can be harmed if they eat a poisoned mouse. If you have pets or if wild animals visit your yard, poison can cause unintended harm. Children are also at risk if they come into contact with poison bait that is not stored securely.

If you do decide to use poison, choose products that contain anticoagulants and follow the label instructions carefully. Place bait only in areas that are completely out of reach of children and pets. Remove any unused bait and dead mice as soon as possible. If the infestation is severe and you are unsure, it is safer to contact a licensed pest control professional.

The best long-term solution is to keep mice from entering your home in the first place. Mice are looking for three things: food, water, and shelter. Remove those, and your home becomes much less attractive to them. Here are practical steps you can take:

- Seal Cracks and Holes: A mouse can squeeze through a gap as small as a dime. Inspect the exterior of your home for any small openings around pipes, vents, windows, and doors. Fill small gaps with caulk or steel wool (mice cannot chew through it), and repair larger holes with sheet metal or cement.

- Store Food in Sealed Containers: Mice can chew through cardboard and thin plastic. Move pantry items like grains, cereals, and dry pet food into airtight metal or heavy-duty plastic containers. This removes one of their main reasons for staying.

- Fix Leaks and Remove Water Sources: Mice can survive on very small amounts of water. Check under sinks and around pipes for drips or leaks and fix them promptly. Also, cover pools or outdoor water features when not in use.

- Keep Your Home and Yard Tidy: Clutter gives mice places to hide and nest. Store seasonal clothing and bedding in hard plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. Outside, keep woodpiles away from the house, clear away fallen fruit, and remove any debris that could serve as shelter.

- Manage Your Trash Properly: Always use garbage bins with tight-fitting lids. Seal trash bags before placing them outside, and rinse out bins regularly to reduce odors that attract rodents. Do not leave food waste open or uncovered, especially overnight.

- Check Your Home Regularly: Do a full inspection of your home's exterior at least once a year. Look for new cracks, gaps in door frames, or damaged window screens. Catching small entry points early is much easier than dealing with a full infestation later.