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."

Remove Food or Water Sources

Mice are always on the hunt for food and water. "If you remove those, you make your home far less appealing," says Schumacher. Without a reward inside, mice are less likely to take the risk of entering a house full of inhabitants. For best results, store dry goods in sealed, rigid containers, such as metal or thick plastic. "Mice can and will chew through thin bags and cardboard boxes," Schumacher notes. And avoid leaving pet food bowls out overnight, as this gives mice an easy meal when the house is quiet.

Declutter Your Basement, Attic, and Garage

Mice are most likely to inhabit spaces that don’t get much foot traffic, such as the basement, attic, or garage. Hence, keeping these areas as clean as possible, along with decluttering barns and sheds, is a golden combination that always works, says Nicole Carpenter, pest control professional and the president at Black Pest Prevention. Empty boxes, piles of paper and cloth, loose cardboard, and spare insulation are all perfect spots for hiding and nesting, she says. "The more clutter-free, the less safe mice feel and the lower chance they stay."

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Manage the Habitat Around Your Home

Don’t let the immediate area outside of your home give mice places to hide. Keeping the area clear and tidy makes your property less attractive to them, Schumacher explains. "Trim shrubs, bushes, and trees, so they don’t touch the siding or roof. Overhanging branches provide natural ladders to your home," he says. "It’s also best to keep compost piles and mulch away from the house." Food scraps and warm soil are natural magnets for rodents. Also, go the extra step and remove brush piles, stacked wood, and leaf litter that provide cover. These are all ideal hiding spots for mice.

Own a Cat

Though this method may not be practical for everyone, owning a cat is a strong natural deterrent for mice. While some cats are less interested in mice than others, just the smell of a cat itself can be enough to keep mice away, says Carpenter. "If you want to use cats strategically, let them spend time in storage rooms, basements, or barns where mice might sneak in," she says.

Use Strong Natural Scents

Mice rely heavily on their sense of smell, says Schumacher. "Strong scents like peppermint oil, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, or vinegar can make an area uncomfortable for them," he says. Schumacher recommends using pure essential oils instead of fragrance oils. Weaker products will have little to no effect, he says. "Soak cotton balls or pads with five to 10 drops of oil. A concentrated scent is key to making it effective." Then place them near suspected entry points, along walls, behind appliances, and inside cabinets. "These are areas where mice travel, and the smell will directly affect them."