Dealing with a mouse problem can be frustrating, especially when those tiny pests seem to appear out of nowhere. If you’ve been searching for how to get rid of mice, you’re taking the right first step. Mice might look harmless, but they can damage wiring, contaminate food, and multiply faster than you’d expect. In Australia, they often sneak inside during cooler months, turning your cosy home into their playground. The good news is, there are simple, proven ways to send them packing.
If other pests are troubling you too, check our guides on how to get rid of ants in Australia or how to get rid of a swarm of bees on your house. In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical, natural, and effective methods to reclaim your space, for good.
Signs of Mice in Home
Here’s how to detect their presence before damage stacks up. You don’t need to coax them out to know they’re here. Common signs include:
- Droppings scattered along cupboards, cupboards, or behind appliances
- Gnaw marks on food packaging, wires, wood
- Noises at night: scratching, scuttling inside walls or ceilings
- Nesting materials: bits of fabric, shredded paper or insulation
- Footprints in dusty areas or track marks
- A faint musty odour in enclosed spaces
Spotting these signs of mice in home early gives you a head start on control before the issue becomes overwhelming.
How to Find Where Mice Are Coming From?
You can’t beat what you can’t see. Once you know they’re in, your next step is mapping their entry and exit routes. Some tactics:
- Sprinkle a thin layer of flour, talcum powder or baby powder along baseboards or suspected walls; check for tracks the next day
- Use small strips of paper or tape placed radially from walls, gnaw marks or displacement often reveals a path
- Listen at night with a flashlight (red light if possible) to see where scuttling occurs
- Inspect gaps around pipes, vents, under doors, and roof eaves
If you’re methodical, you’ll trace where they slip in. That’s the first key to prevention.
Seal Entry Points to Stop Mice
You’ve found the paths, now block them. Even pencil-width gaps can be exploited by mice. Best practice materials include: steel wool, copper mesh, concrete patch, expanding foam or high-grade caulk.
Focus on areas such as:
- Around plumbing, electrical conduits, vent pipes
- Under doors (install door sweeps)
- Roofline gaps, soffits, eaves
- Cracks in foundations or walls
- Utility penetrations
Once sealed tightly, you’ll have taken a major step toward how to stop mice coming in house permanently. By closing these, you also deter pests like ants, wasps, and possums — see how to get rid of possums and scare them away from your house.
Mouse Control Methods: Traps, Baits & Natural Strategies
Mouse Traps vs Poison
When evaluating mouse traps vs poison, here’s what to consider:
- Traps (snap, electronic, live-capture): immediate results, safer for small homes, less risk of secondary poisoning
- Poison / rodenticides: can be more effective in larger infestations, but can pose dangers to pets, other wildlife, and leave carcasses hidden
- The RSPCA in Australia recommends humane snap traps over glue boards, and cautions against slow-acting poisons as inhumane.
Use traps when you can manage them; reserve poison for more severe infestations (and always follow safety protocols). For eco-conscious options, check our guide on eco-friendly pest control.
Choosing the Best Bait for Mice
If your trap is empty day after day, the issue is often the bait. Some excellent baits include:
- Peanut butter (sticky, enticing)
- Chocolate or nut spreads
- Dried fruit pieces or high sugar cereal bits
- Fresh nuts
Secure the bait so the mouse must tug, ensuring it triggers the trap. Also rotate baits if mice avoid one. This gives you the best bait for mice performance. If you’re dealing with rats too, compare droppings in this post: what does rat poop look like compared to mouse poop.
Natural Mice Repellents & Home Remedies for Mice
If you prefer gentler options, here’s how to get rid of mice naturally using everyday items:
- Peppermint oil, clove oil, cedarwood oil: soak cotton balls and place at likely entry points
- Garlic or onion slices: mice dislike sulfurous smells
- Chilli powder or cayenne sprinkled at thresholds
- Ultrasonic devices (see our review section below)
- Simulated predator scents (e.g. used cat litter near entry zones)
These natural mice repellents may deter some individuals, but are typically more effective when paired with sealing and trap use. These are great when combined with sealing and traps. For other eco-home pest tips, see is pest control safe for pets and kids?
Step-by-Step Removal Strategy
Here’s a practical flow you can follow:
- Clean & declutter — remove food crumbs, pet food, open bins
- Seal the obvious gaps (see previous section)
- Deploy traps or repellents strategically along walls, corners, known paths
- Check traps daily, rebait or relocate as needed
- Monitor entry zones (flour dusting, inspection)
- Escalate if needed — if no improvement after a week or two, consider stronger traps or professional help
This combined approach offers a structured route for real, lasting control. A structured plan helps ensure long-term success. Want to know how to handle other household pests? Read most common household pests in Australia.
Ultrasonic Mouse Repellent Reviews 2025
If you’re curious whether high-tech works, here’s the lowdown on ultrasonic mouse repellent reviews 2025:
- These devices emit high-frequency sound intended to irritate mice but not humans
- Some users report short-term success, but many mice adapt or avoid the boldest frequencies
- Best results are in conjunction with other methods, don’t rely on ultrasound alone
- When you review models, check coverage area, frequency ranges, and user reviews
- Place units in open air, not blocked by furniture or walls
In short, they can help, but aren’t silver bullets. For other trending pest products and issues, explore pest control demand spikes in Australian cities during spring.
Clean After Mice Infestation
After you’ve removed the rodents, proper sanitation is essential. This is your how to clean after mice infestation checklist:
- Wear gloves and mask
- Ventilate the area
- Disinfect surfaces, droppings, nests with bleach solution (1 part bleach : 10 parts water) or EPA-approved disinfectant
- Use enzyme cleaners to eliminate lingering urine/odor cues
- Seal cracks or crevices while cleaning
- Dispose of contaminated materials (insulation, paper, fabrics) in sealed bags
- Wash or scrub reusable items
A well-cleaned zone removes scent trails that might attract new intruders. If you’ve recently dealt with other wildlife, see how to get rid of smell of a dead rat in your house.
Preventing Reinfestation: Rodent Control Tips
To avoid backsliding, embed these rodent control tips into your routine:
- Monthly inspections of foundations, roofline, and plumbing
- Always store food in sealed containers
- Don’t leave pet food or crumbs out overnight
- Maintain yard clearance: trim plants, stack wood off the ground
- Keep bins closed and away from house walls
- Rotate traps/repellents even when no sign of mice
- Use rodent-resistant materials in vulnerable zones
- Seal seasonal cracks before temperature shifts
This vigilance helps you how to get rid of mice permanently rather than fight the same battle repeatedly.
How to Catch a Mouse in Your House?
If you want a humane (or at least controlled) method, here’s how to how to catch a mouse in your house using live traps or smart trap placement:
- Place live capture traps along walls or inside “tunnels” made with cardboard
- Use attractive baits (as above) inside
- Check traps twice daily to avoid animal stress
- If releasing, relocate several kilometres away to avoid return
- Alternatively, consider high-quality snap or electronic traps for quick kills (with humane design)
This method balances effectiveness and ethical concerns.
Dealing with Mice Nesting in Walls
Mice often set up nests behind drywall or in roof cavities. To address how to stop mice nesting in walls effectively:
- Tap or knock walls at night to locate hollow spots
- Drill inspection holes behind cupboards or inside closets
- Insert small cameras or borescopes if available
- Use foam or wire mesh injection to block internal cavities
- Place traps in wall voids (snap traps fitted into narrow trays)
You may not physically remove nests, but you can eliminate access and disrupt occupancy.
Health Risks & Why You Must Act
Don’t shrug off a mouse problem, mice droppings health risks are real. Rodent urine, droppings, and saliva can carry pathogens causing hantavirus, salmonella, leptospirosis, and more. As they move around, mice also caterpillar dust and allergens into your air. Removing them isn’t just cosmetic. It’s about health for you and your family.
When to Call Professionals & Safe Pest Control for Rodents?
If your DIY efforts stall, it’s time for pros. Use safe pest control for rodents by choosing licensed operators who offer eco-friendly and low-toxicity approaches. Ask questions like:
- What chemicals or baits will you use?
- Are they pet/kid safe?
- Can you get a guarantee or follow-up visits?
- Do they also do exclusion/sealing work?
Professional services bring tools like thermal imaging, wall probing, and monitored bait stations that most homeowners can’t replicate.
Conclusion
Getting rid of mice doesn’t have to feel like a losing battle. With the right approach. Sealing entry points, using safe traps, and maintaining a clean home, you can quickly learn how to get rid of mice and keep them from returning. Remember, early action makes all the difference before a small problem turns into an infestation. If the situation feels overwhelming, let the experts handle it. True Pest Control offers fast, reliable, and humane rodent removal across Australia. Call 0480 022 718 today to schedule an inspection and take back your home – safe, clean, and completely mouse-free.
