Are you hearing the faint sound of tiny feet scurrying across your floor? Finding a petite intruder can be unsettling. Mice are often hard to spot without physical signs left behind as evidence. And, like other pests, they can sneak inside your home without warning.
Mice may not even be living in your home, but rather, passing through to one of your neighbors’ units who might not prioritize a clean space the same way you do. However, seeing or hearing a mouse can lead to something much bigger like an infestation. If mice are becoming an issue, follow our step-by-step guide on getting rid of them for good.
1. Identify if there's a mouse problem.
Do you think you have nocturnal visitors? If you think mice may be invading your space, here are some signs to look out for:
- Noises. Mice make scratching noises with their feet and squeaking sounds with their mouth. They’re active at night and you’ll be able to hear them through the walls or running across the floor.
- Droppings. Droppings are the most obvious sign of a mouse in the apartment. It’s a good indicator that they’ve already found a source of food. Mouse droppings look like pellets and are about the size of a small paper clip.
- Foul Odor. Do you smell something smelly? Is it a little musky? Well, it’s mouse urine and it will be pungent in the areas they gather most, such as the nesting site.
- Holes in Food Bags. Mice are chewers and holes in bags of food mean you’ve found their food source.
2. Tell your property manager.
Your property manager doesn’t want mice in the apartment just as much as you don’t. He or she may call pest control to come out and take care of the problem for you.
3. Pinpoint their entry points.
You may not know it, but a mouse can gain entry into a home using the smallest of openings – as small as a dime! And just because you live on a higher floor doesn’t mean you’re completely immune to pesky mouse intruders. There are numerous ways that mice can find their way into an apartment, including poorly sealed windows and doors, gaps in the siding, the plumbing, and the AC/heating system. Once you’ve identified the entry points, call maintenance so they can make the necessary repairs.
4. Start baiting and trapping.
Your property manager or landlord is most likely taking care of this, but if not, there are some things you can do to get rid of mice. Place baits and traps in areas where mice hide, such as under furniture and inside cabinets – basically any areas that are dark and sheltered. The kitchen should be well covered since it’s their biggest food supply. For the best results, place additional baits and traps under the fridge, near the stove, and inside the pantry.
- What is baiting?
Mice baiting is the act of luring rodents with a tasty treat without trapping them. Renters use a bait station that houses rat poison and when ingested, the mouse takes the poison back to the nest and dies. While it may be an effective solution, you’ll need to remove the remains. If you are squeamish, or don't want to harm the mouse, you'll want to choose a different solution.
- What is trapping?
Trapping involves enticing the mouse with a treat laid on a designated trap. When activated, the trap keeps the mouse from escaping. There are many traps to choose from, including a snap trap, glue trap, and a humane trap. Your trap preference will likely stem from your comfort level of handling a mouse.
So what are the differences between the traps mentioned above? A snap trap is used with bait (peanut butter or cheese) and snaps closed when the bait is taken. Glue traps contain a sticky adhesive that prevents a mouse from running away. But if these are too much, a humane trap might be the better option. These box traps have a one-way door, and when activated, will shut immediately. It doesn’t hurt them in any way, and you can let the mouse go outside and get on with your day – just release them away from your home, so they can’t find their way back. Whichever method you choose, be sure you’re checking the baits and traps every few hours.
5. Practice prevention techniques.
The best way to keep mice out of your apartment is to take away what they enjoy most. Minimize your chance of an infestation by practicing these prevention techniques in your apartment:
- Keep a Tidy Home. As in pick up your clothes, put away your shoes, and vacuum regularly to reduce their hiding places.
- Patch Holes with Steel Wool. This is only a temporary fix, but mice cannot chew through the material. Placing steel wool inside holes makes it more difficult for them to access your space.
- Place Food in Air-Tight Containers. Mice can (and will) find their way into your cabinets. Non-refrigerated foods, such as rice, crackers, and coffee grounds, should be placed inside air-tight containers so they can’t get to it.
- Take Garbage Out. Keeping the lid closed on your garbage means keeping the rodents away. Taking out the trash regularly will help the garbage from overflowing – something mice are drawn to.
- Wash Dirty Dishes. Dirty dishes piled high in the sink are a great midnight snack for mice. Rinse off your plates immediately after use and put them in the dishwasher.
While it’s not fun to deal with mice in your home, you can take the appropriate steps to resolve the situation and prevent it from happening in the future. Just remember to tell your property manager immediately when the tell-tale signs emerge, as this will help stop them in their tracks. And if it becomes a pressing issue and you’re making numerous calls to the leasing office, you could move out or see what your tenant rights are. Original article was published on October 7, 2013 and has since been updated.
Published April 3, 2019
