Control and Prevention

How to Get Rid of Mice

Here are the best ways to get rid of mice. Try some of these methods for your garden and home:

• Try using dryer sheets to keep mice out of linen closets or stored clothes.
• To protect bulbs, cage them or surround the bulb with crushed gravel in the planting hole.
• Wrap tree trunks with tree wrap or hardware cloth at their base.
• Try a mouse repellent containing ammonium; see your local garden center.
• Use a humane mouse trap or snap trap baited with peanut butter near mouse paths.
• Sonic mouse deterrents placed in the garden may help to keep mice away.

Prevent Mice

• In the home, check for pathways that are allowing mice to gain easy access. Seal them up. Try stuffing steel wool into the cracks and holes around your foundation.
• Remove easy food and water. Clean up pet food dishes and keep garbage bins closed.
• In the garden, avoid using straw as mulch or any fluffy mulch that provides nesting places.
• There are several plants that are believed to repel mice. Mint, pennyroyal, garlic, and onion are just a few. Try planting them in your garden.
• Mice are also repelled by camphor, lavender, and wormwood. You can find dried lavender in health food stores and some garden centers. 
• Get a cat! Sometimes, even just the scent of cats will be enough to deter mice from returning to an area.
• To make sure that mice aren’t getting to your favorite spring flowers, check out this list of rodent-proof bulbs.

See more about common garden pests like rabbits and moles.