Everyone has seen the cartoon mouse trap: A big wedge of cheese perched precariously on a small wooden rectangle, just waiting for an unsuspecting mouse to come along.
Most modern mouse traps don’t use pieces of cheese, although they can still use food as bait. One of the most popular baits, believe it or not, is peanut butter. There are still versions of the snap trap from cartoons, but there are also other kinds like electronic traps. Because these traps usually mean dealing with dead mice, plenty of people wonder if there’s a way to help get rid of mice without classic mouse traps. Although mouse traps are the most effective in helping to get of mice, you can also try the following natural methods to see if they help remove these pesky rodents.
NATURAL WAYS TO HELP GET RID OF MICE
The myths: Natural products and common household items
First, let’s talk about the myths: There are quite a few natural remedies that supposedly can deter mice, like peppermint oil or cayenne pepper. By and large, these have been disproven. While it’s possible that these commonly suggested home remedies could temporarily work, there’s no science to prove that they will in the long term. For example, one natural remedy that has been largely disproven is soap. While it would be a convenient solution, soap is unfortunately not a reliable solution for helping to get rid of mice in your home.
Moth balls are another so-called natural remedy meant to be an effective repellent of mice—but they aren’t even natural. Moth balls are full of the chemicals that help repel moths. Not to mention, the FDA has strict regulations on what can be used as a pesticide. It’s unfortunate that there aren’t more reliable DIY methods using household products, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t any other ways to help get rid of mice.
Cats
In fact, both dogs and cats can sometimes be effective at keeping mice at bay—but according to a University of Florida study, these pets are only really effective if they’re both present. Even if you are a cat and dog owner, there’s a chance your pet won’t be interested in hunting down pesky mice. So while pets may be helpful deterrents, they aren’t always effective at helping to get rid of mice once they’ve made themselves at home.
WHAT ABOUT MOUSE TRAPS?
Live or Box Traps
One way of deterring mice are try box traps. Unlike with traditional mouse traps, the mice are usually not harmed when they’re caught. While this may seem like a good alternative to other traps in theory, humane traps come with their own considerations and are often not recommended as a method for helping to get rid of mice. For example, releasing the mice can be difficult. You’d want to wear gloves and be careful to help make sure you don’t get scratched or bitten. A caught mouse may release urine which could contain germs. Everyone has seen the cartoon mouse trap: A big wedge of cheese perched precariously on a small wooden rectangle, just waiting for an unsuspecting mouse to come along. Most modern mouse traps don’t use pieces of cheese, although they can still use food as bait. One of the most popular baits, believe it or not, is peanut butter. There are still versions of the snap trap from cartoons, but there are also other kinds like electronic traps. Because these traps usually mean dealing with dead mice, plenty of people wonder if there’s a way to help get rid of mice without classic mouse traps. Although mouse traps are the most effective in helping to get of mice, you can also try the following natural methods to see if they help remove these pesky rodents.
Additionally, you may not want to release mice into your yard. There’s no guarantee that the mice won’t return to your home. So if you’re squeamish about mice in general, a better alternative might be no-touch or no-see traps.
No-Touch Traps or No-View Traps
Like other more traditional snap traps, no-touch and no-view traps usually mean dead mice. However, no-touch and no-view traps work as their name suggests: In a way that you don’t have to see or touch the dead mouse. These types of traps will usually completely enclose any dead mice that the trap catches, so all you have to do is dispose of the trap. If you’re squeamish about live or dead mice, and you want to increase the chance that mice will not return to your home, these types of traps are a good option.
So back to the question, can you effectively get rid of mice without traps? The thing to remember about natural and DIY ways to help get rid of mice is that there’s no absolute guarantee they will work. While traps can sometimes be unpleasant, they’re usually the most effective way to help deal with a mouse problem. And, always remember that prevention is key when it comes to mice. The following points are key for prevention—and easy to do:
- Seal up any cracks, gaps, and open entry points where mice could be entering
- Keep your home, and especially kitchen, clean and free of easily accessible food
- Remove shrubs, debris, and other materials outside that are near your house, which could provide nesting opportunities for mice
If you’re still struggling with a mouse problem, contact Terminix. A Terminix pest professional will be able to help get rid of the mice you are dealing with, and help prevent mice from returning in the future.
