How to control mice and rats in the home?

Place snap traps perpendicular to walls where you see droppings or gnaw marks. Bait the trigger plate with a small dab of peanut butter — use enough that mice must work at it, not just lick it off. Set at least 6-12 traps for a typical home. Check and rebait daily.

Call a licensed pest control professional when trapping has not resolved the problem after 2-3 weeks, when you have evidence of rats (not just mice), when rodents are in wall voids or attics, or when you see signs of electrical wire damage (fire hazard).

Walk the entire foundation perimeter at least twice a year — once in early fall before rodents seek shelter indoors, and once in spring to catch winter damage. Bring a flashlight and caulk. Check every pipe penetration, foundation crack, vent, and gap at the sill plate.

Mount a barn owl or screech owl nesting box on a pole or tree at least 12-15 feet high, facing away from prevailing winds and direct sunlight. Place the box in an open area near fields, gardens, or property edges where rodents are active.

Avoid using rodenticide (rat poison) bait stations near homes with cats, dogs, or children. If rodenticides are used at all, choose first-generation anticoagulants in tamper-resistant bait stations and place them where pets and children cannot access them.

Choose snap traps or electronic traps instead of glue traps (glue boards) for rodent control. If you currently use glue traps, replace them with more effective and humane alternatives.

Store all food in sealed glass or metal containers. Keep garbage in tightly sealed cans. Remove bird feeders or switch to rodent-proof designs. Pick up fallen fruit from trees. Do not leave pet food outdoors overnight. Eliminate ground cover and tall grass near the foundation.

Install door sweeps on all exterior doors, including the garage entry door. Add weather stripping around door frames and windows where gaps exist. Replace the rubber seal at the bottom of the garage door if a pencil can fit underneath.

Place electronic traps along walls where you see droppings or gnaw marks. Bait with peanut butter. The trap delivers a high-voltage shock when a rodent enters the chamber, killing it quickly and cleanly. A light indicator signals when a catch has been made.

Inspect the full perimeter of your home for gaps larger than 1/4 inch (mice) or 1/2 inch (rats). Stuff copper mesh tightly into each gap, then seal over the top with caulk or mortar. Focus on pipe penetrations, foundation cracks, garage door seals, dryer vents, and where rooflines meet siding.