Mice love hiding in all of the nooks and crannies of garages. With toolboxes, storage units, vehicles, and summer toys crammed into many of our garages, mice have plenty of places to make themselves a home. Even a clean, organized garage can become a refuge for rodents, especially in the winter when they're looking for shelter from the cold. Once they find they have the resources to survive, a few mice in a garage can quickly transform into a large infestation. Mice carry diseases and can be very destructive, chewing through anything they can sink their teeth into, and once they're allowed into your garage, they'll have easier access to your home as well.

Learn how to get rid of any mice that may exist inside your garage and effectively seal your garage to prevent mice from entering and creating a home there in the future.

How to Remove Mice from Your Garage

Live Traps: Instead of using snap or glue traps, which can result in a slow, agonizing death for the mouse and a safety hazard for children and pets, go for a live trap. Use peanut butter as bait and place the traps in strategic areas. Live traps will get the job done and allow you to release the mouse outside once its caught. To keep mice from returning, take them at least 2-3 miles from your home, away from other houses and near natural shelter such as wood, rock, or other ground cover. Check your traps often so mice aren’t left to die of starvation.

Fresh Cab: An effective alternative to using traps to get rid of mice, according to Earth-Kind, is Fresh Cab. Fresh Cab is a rodent repellent that will deter mice from entering an area and make any mice that are currently hiding in the area want to leave. It’s a natural, 98% biodegradable substance that is safe to use around children and pets. It is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is made from essential oils, and comes with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

Other Mouse Repellents: Consider using mint plants, peppermint, or spearmint essential oil to repel mice. Bay leaves and mothballs have also been found to effectively keep mice away. Just be sure your pets and children don't have access to mothballs.

How to Keep Mice Out of Your Garage for Good

Check Weather Stripping: Mice can sometimes chew right through the weather stripping at the bottom of a garage door. You may need to replace yours if it’s damaged.

Check Access Points: Do a thorough sweep of your garage, and look for any possible access points for mice. These may include spaces around vents, drains, pipes, air conditioners, windows, or the eaves of the roof.

Look for Holes: Mice can squeeze through tiny holes to enter a garage or home. Rats can fit through a ½-inch diameter hole, and mice can fit through a ¼-inch diameter hole. Fill any holes larger than a quarter inch with a material that won’t rust quickly and mice can’t chew their way through; mice can chew through caulk and foam, so go for something stronger. Remember, mice can climb virtually anywhere, including straight up a wall, so look EVERYWHERE for openings.

Other Ways to Deter Mice

• Keep your lawn trimmed and bushes and overhanging trees away from the house as much as possible.
• Eliminate any food or water sources in the garage (garbage, dog food, bird seed, etc.), or seal them in rodent-proof containers.
• Keep the garage clean. If you’ve had mice, clean your garage with an effective cleaning solution, and vacuum while wearing gloves and a dust mask. Mice can carry diseases, so it’s important to do a thorough cleaning once the mice are removed.
• Keep your garage door in good shape.
• If you can’t seem to get rid of your mouse problem, call a professional to deal with it for you.

Installing a New Garage Door in Des Moines

If you're interested in replacing your old garage door with a new, beautiful, sturdy garage door, contact WD Door in Ankeny! We install and service commercial and residential garage doors for customers throughout much of the state of Iowa. We have up-front pricing with no hidden fees or service charges. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns about your current door or request a free quote by clicking on the button below!