5 Natural Ways to Keep Mice Away From Your Garage for Good

As temperatures drop, mice are more likely to move into your warm and cozy garage. These critters easily get in through cracks in the structure's siding or an unattended open garage door. And once they're inside, it can be a struggle to evict them. Ahead, we share tips and tricks from pest professionals who know how to keep mice away from garages for good.

Limit Their Entry Points

Mice access your garage through easy entry points. "Even if your garage is warm and comfy, they won’t get in unless they can squeeze through a gap, and mice only need a hole the size of a dime," says Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention.

Unfortunately, mice can easily chew through spray foam, plastic, and rubber weatherstripping, so using these products to seal gaps is counterproductive. "The best way to mouse-proof your garage is by combining metal and sealants," says Carpenter. She recommends using hydraulic cement and stainless-steel mesh for foundation cracks, an aluminum door sweep and a metal threshold plate for door gaps, and steel wool and silicone caulk for wall or siding gaps.

Get a Cat

The smell of cats and other predatory animals can keep mice at bay, meaning your furry friend doesn't necessarily have to guard your garage 24/7 to scare away would-be mouse intruders, says Matt Smith, co-owner of Green Pest Management. However, if you do have a pet, make sure their food is in a container that mice can't get into. "Pet food is a very strong attractant for mice, and the rodents would be willing to brave the predator in search of unkempt food," he says.

Keep the Garage Clean and Uncluttered

Mice are also attracted to garages for their nesting resources. "You can’t make your garage completely free of these—simply because mice can use almost anything to build a shelter, even shredded cardboard or old rags," says Carpenter. But you can make it harder on the mice by keeping your garage clean and uncluttered.

Store cloth, paper goods, and soft toys in hard plastic bins. "Mice like to have nesting spots, and cleanliness helps prevent them from having areas to nest," says Shannon Harlow-Ellis, an associate certified entomologist at Mosquito Joe. Hard plastic bins are harder for mice to chew through. For the best results, Harlow-Ellis says to place these bins on shelves off the floor, making it even harder for mice to reach them.

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Use Peppermint

Mice tend to follow their noses, and they consider peppermint a powerful and unpleasant smell. Therefore, you can try dousing cotton balls or cloth with peppermint or mint extract and leaving them in your garage to deter mice. Place these strategically around entry points, corners, and shelving, and refresh them every one to two weeks as they dry out. Keep in mind that this is a deterrent and won't get rid of mice once they are inside the garage. Mice will tolerate a lot of inconvenience if they can get easy access to food, shelter, and nesting materials, Harlow-Ellis says.

Secure the Garage Door

An open garage door is like a personal invite to mice, so you will want to close it when you're not actively coming in and out of the garage. Even the smallest cracks between the garage door and the floor can welcome rodents. "Make sure the garage door comes all the way down, and there isn't any light that gets through when you close it," says Smith. The light indicates there is still a small crack through which mice can fit. "If you see gaps when the door is closed, you will have to adjust the garage door until it is tight against the floor," he says.