Recommended Mice Control for the Outside of a House

By Home & Garden Last updated Sunday, July/21/2024

Increasing Sanitation

Mice typically live close to where they find food. If you eliminate their food sources, you will decrease the chance that they will nest in your home or yard. You may be surprised at how often you are the source of this food. Store trash in containers that have tight-fitting lids. If you have bird or wildlife feeders, place them on poles so that they are mouse-proof. Clean up any food that spills on the ground --- either from you, your pet or from under your bird feeders. Do not leave pet food outside.

Mice aren't totally reliant on humans for food, which means you need to eliminate some natural food sources that they may find. If you have a fruit or nut tree or a garden, harvest them when they are ripe. Remove any nuts or fruits that have fallen on the ground. Also remove any rotten or unused vegetables from the garden. Prune seed pods from shrubs, like lilacs, that can attract mice. Control the snail population in your yard as well. Remove any standing water caused by poor drainage or found in pet dishes.

Eliminating areas where mice might build their nests or find shelter is another important step to controlling mice outdoors. Stack firewood away from buildings, and ensure it is at least 1 foot off the ground. Elevate compost and lumber from the ground too. Get rid of any hay or straw mulches found around your home or outdoor structures. Keep your grass trimmed. Prune any shrubs or bushes so the ground is visible underneath. Do not plant ground cover near buildings. Instead use rocks to form an 18- to 24-inch border around your home's foundation.

To prevent a mouse problem inside your home, you must seal up any place outside that mice may use to enter. Look around your home's exterior for any small openings, and fill them with premixed cement. Use 1/8-inch fine mesh wire screen to cover any openings, such as foundation or air vents. Seal areas around water pipes and utility cables with metal sheeting or screen material. Verify that all doors and windows are tight fitting, and cover door edges with metal to prevent chewing. Shrubs and trees should also be pruned so they do not touch your home.