6 Natural Ways to Keep Mice Away From Your Home for Good

As the weather cools, you might find yourself hosting unexpected houseguests: mice. These rodents tend to enter homes during winter for warmth and access to food. All they need is an opening the size of their head, and these agile little critters will turn your house into their home. To help you prevent this from happening, we’ve rounded up all the best natural ways to keep mice away—because no one wants to hurt them, but they can’t move in either.

Seal Entry Points

Mice are small and flexible, allowing them to enter through the smallest cracks, gaps, or openings. "Blocking these routes is the first line of defense," says Jeff Schumacher, pest pro and owner of All-Safe Pest and Termite. To prevent mice from finding these openings, Schumacher says to do a detailed inspection inside and out. Look for any small holes or crevices mice could squeeze through. Check vent covers, pipe openings, gaps under doors, roofline joints, and utility lines—all are some of the most common access points, he says. "Then, seal the cracks with materials mice cannot chew through, such as steel wool, hardware cloth, or metal flashing, sealed with caulk. Mice can and will gnaw through most softer materials."