The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Rodents Away from Your Home

Keeping rodents like mice and rats out of your home is a multi-step process that combines proactive prevention, strategic sealing, and natural deterrents. Since rodents can fit through surprisingly small openings—as little as a quarter-inch for mice—a thorough and persistent approach is essential.

1. Seal All Entry Points (Exclusion)

This is the most critical step. If you can keep them from getting in, you won’t have to worry about getting them out.

Inspect Your Home’s Exterior: Walk around your home and look for any cracks, holes, or gaps. Pay close attention to the foundation, window and door frames, and areas where utility lines, pipes, and vents enter the house.

Seal Small Holes: Use materials that rodents can’t chew through. For small holes (the size of a dime or smaller), fill them with steel wool or copper mesh. You can then seal them in place with caulk or expanding foam.

Address Larger Openings: For larger holes, use more durable materials like lath screen, metal sheeting, or cement.

Secure Vents and Chimneys: Install mesh screens or caps on all vents and chimneys.

Check Doors and Windows: Make sure all windows and doors have tight seals. Install door sweeps and repair any worn weatherstripping.

2. Remove Food and Water Sources

Rodents are always on the hunt for food and water. Making your home an unattractive food source is a powerful deterrent.

Store Food Properly: Keep all dry food items, including pet food and birdseed, in sealed, airtight containers made of plastic, glass, or metal. Avoid leaving food in cardboard boxes or plastic bags.

Clean Up Crumbs and Spills: Regularly sweep and mop floors and wipe down countertops. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.

Manage Trash: Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids and take out the garbage frequently.

Address Water Leaks: Fix any leaky faucets, pipes, or drains. Rodents can survive on a very small amount of water.

3. Use Natural Repellents

While not a complete solution on their own, natural repellents can help deter rodents, especially when combined with sealing and sanitation.

Strong Scents: Rodents have a powerful sense of smell that is easily overwhelmed by certain scents they dislike.

Peppermint Oil: Soak cotton balls in peppermint essential oil and place them in areas where you’ve seen rodent activity, such as in cabinets, attics, basements, and near entry points. Reapply the oil every few days as the scent dissipates.

Other Essential Oils: Eucalyptus, clove, and citronella oils can also be effective.

Spicy Scents: Rodents hate spicy things. Sprinkle cayenne pepper or hot pepper flakes in areas you want to protect.

Onions and Garlic: The pungent odor of onions and garlic can repel rodents. Place fresh, sliced onions or garlic cloves near potential entry points. Replace them every few days.

Plants: Planting certain herbs and flowers around your home’s perimeter can act as a natural barrier.

Mint: Planting mint around your foundation can help deter rodents from getting close.

Marigolds: These flowers contain a compound that repels many pests, including rodents.

Lavender and Rosemary: The strong, pleasant smell of these plants is a turn-off for rodents.

4. Manage Your Yard and Outdoor Areas

Your yard can provide a habitat and a clear path for rodents to get into your home.

Trim Landscaping: Keep shrubs, bushes, and tree branches trimmed away from your home’s exterior walls and roof. Rodents can use these as a bridge to enter.

Remove Debris: Clear away piles of leaves, firewood, and other clutter that can provide shelter and nesting spots. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and a foot or more off the ground.

Mow the Lawn: Keep your lawn trimmed, as tall grass provides excellent cover for rodents.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve taken these steps and are still dealing with a persistent rodent problem, it’s time to call a professional pest control service. A severe infestation may require professional-grade traps, baits, and a more comprehensive strategy to identify and eliminate the source of the problem.