How to Get Rid of Mice in Your House in 9 Steps

Snap Traps

The tried-and-true method that has worked since the start of mouse traps. The base functionality has remained effective for generations. Snap traps kill mice quickly in a way that is designed to be as humane as possible and are still considered the most effective trap method by pest control professionals.

Electric Traps

These traps lure mice over electrified contact points and deliver enough current to stop the heart. They are designed to be a humane method of extermination and are built in a way that does not pose a threat to pets or children, making them a good option for households with animals or young kids.

Sticky Traps

Sticky traps use an adhesive glue board to catch mice. They are not a humane option, as a caught mouse will slowly starve and exhaust itself. It is also common for mice to escape by chewing off trapped limbs. These are generally a last resort and not recommended as a primary method.

Live Catch Traps

Live catch traps are one-way entrance cages that lure mice in and prevent them from leaving until a door release is triggered. They require releasing or disposing of live mice after capture. Several effective designs can be built at home with basic materials for a low-cost option.

Position Perpendicularly Against the Wall

Place traps at a right angle to the wall with the trigger facing the baseboard. This aligns the business end of the trap with the path mice naturally follow along the corner of the wall.

Place Every 3 Feet Along Active Walls

Along walls where activity has been observed, set traps every 3 feet. Use the most sensitive hair-trigger setting so that any contact sets the trap off immediately.

Target Low-Traffic, Undisturbed Areas

The best places to set traps are inside areas that are rarely disturbed. Closets, cabinets, and behind furniture and appliances are all good spots since mice feel safer traveling through these spaces.

Stay Within the Mouse's Territory

A mouse's territory is generally no larger than 20 feet beyond its nest. Place traps wherever rodent activity has been observed to ensure you are within their active range.

Relocate Traps Every Few Days

Changing trap locations every few days is critical to continued success. Mice can become wary of a specific location once it becomes familiar, reducing trap effectiveness over time.

Choose Bait Carefully

Pay attention to what mice have been stealing to determine the best bait. Peanut butter works well as an adhesive for bait that is difficult to attach to a trigger. Always wear gloves when handling traps to prevent your scent from deterring mice.

Reset After Every Catch

Even when a mouse has been caught, reset the trap immediately for any remaining mice. Mice reproduce quickly, and it is unlikely there is ever just one in a home.

Poison and Bait Stations

Poison is largely effective but often causes mice to die inside wall cavities where they begin to decompose and smell. The poison can also pass to wildlife, family cats, or dogs if they consume the remains.

Glue Traps

Glue traps are inhumane and result in a mouse slowly dying over a long period. It is also common for mice to free themselves by gnawing off trapped limbs, meaning the mouse escapes injured rather than being eliminated.

Live Traps

Live traps can be problematic because captured mice are still alive and need to be released far from your home to prevent return. They also require frequent monitoring to avoid unnecessary suffering if a mouse is not discovered quickly.

Snap Traps (Best Overall)

Snap traps remain the most effective trap method. Their main downfall is that they require manual reset and disposal after each catch, which some homeowners find unpleasant. No other method consistently matches their speed and reliability.

Option 1: Target Access Points

The least invasive option is to find where mice are accessing wall cavities and lay traps around those entry points with enough bait to ensure success. This approach does not require opening walls and works well when entry points can be clearly identified.

Option 2: Cut a Trap Door

The more invasive option is to cut out a wall panel to create a trap door that provides direct access to a snap trap inside the wall. This allows you to target exactly where the mice are, but it leaves an access panel that is no longer needed once the infestation is resolved.

Outside Your Home

Inside Your Home

No New Droppings

A complete absence of new droppings for at least two weeks is one of the strongest indicators that the infestation has been resolved.

No Scurrying Sounds

Scratching and scurrying sounds in walls, ceilings, or under floors at night are a telltale sign of active mice. The absence of these sounds is a good indicator that mice are no longer present.

No Live Sightings

If you are no longer seeing live or dead mice and traps are remaining unsprung, this indicates the population has been eliminated.

Monitor with Bait

Leaving out bait in previously active areas is a reliable way to monitor for any remaining or new mice. Undisturbed bait over two weeks is strong confirmation that the mice are gone.