As temperatures drop, mice seek warmth, food, and shelter—often inside homes.

If you’re wondering how to keep mice out in your home in Des Moines, it’s crucial to act now to prevent structural damage and health risks like salmonella and hantavirus.

Fortunately, you can protect your home this winter with the right strategies. This guide outlines practical and helpful steps to help you do so efficiently and effectively.

Mice sneaking in a house in Des Moines - how to keep mice out

5 Proven Ways on How to Keep Mice Out of Your Home

Keeping mice out of your home doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on these five key strategies, you can create a mouse-proof environment and avoid the damage and health risks they bring.

1. Eliminate Food Sources

One of the most effective ways for how to keep mice out of your house is to remove their access to food. Mice are drawn to easy meals, so taking these steps can make your home far less inviting:

  • Store Food Properly: Transfer dry goods like cereal, rice, and pet food into airtight glass or plastic containers. These prevent mice from chewing through packaging and accessing your food.

  • Clean Up Crumbs and Spills: Even small crumbs can attract mice. Make it a habit to clean kitchen counters, floors, and dining areas immediately after use.

  • Dispose of Trash Regularly: Ensure trash bins are tightly sealed, and take garbage out frequently to avoid giving mice an easy meal.

By eliminating food sources, you make your home significantly less appealing to mice searching for sustenance.

2. Seal Entry Points

Mice can squeeze through openings and spaces as small as a dime, making it critical to block any potential entry points into your house. Here’s how to do it:

  • Inspect for Gaps and Cracks: Check around doors, windows, and your home’s foundation for any openings. Don’t overlook areas around utility pipes and vents.

  • Use Effective Materials: Seal gaps with steel wool, caulk, or expanding foam. These materials are hard for mice to chew through.

  • Install Door Sweeps: Add sweeps to exterior doors to block gaps at the bottom, and ensure all windows are tightly sealed.

By thoroughly sealing entry points, you can stop mice from finding their way into your home in the first place.

3. Use Natural and DIY Deterrents

Natural and DIY solutions can provide an extra layer of protection when combined with other strategies. These are safe, cost-effective ways to deter mice:

  • Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil’s strong aroma is highly unpleasant to mice. Dab cotton balls with peppermint oil and position them in areas where you’ve noticed mouse activity, such as cabinets, basements, or potential entry points.

  • Steel Wool Barriers: Stuff steel wool into small gaps or holes. It’s inexpensive and effective since mice can’t chew through it.

  • Vinegar Spray: Create a vinegar spray by combining vinegar and water, then apply it to areas where you’ve spotted signs of mice. The strong scent works as a natural deterrent.

While these methods don’t replace essential steps like sealing entry points, they can help reinforce your efforts to keep mice out of your house.

4. Declutter and Organize Your Space

Cluttered spaces provide the perfect hiding spots for mice, making it easier for them to nest undisturbed.

Piles of paper, boxes, or unused items in basements, garages, and attics are particularly inviting. To reduce these opportunities, focus on decluttering both inside and outside your home:

  • Tidy Storage Areas: Use clear, sealed containers to store items like holiday decorations or out-of-season clothes. Avoid cardboard boxes, which mice can easily chew through.

  • Limit Potential Nesting Materials: Dispose of old newspapers, magazines, and other soft materials that mice might use to build nests.

  • Maintain Cleanliness in High-Risk Areas: Pay extra attention to less-used spaces like basements and attics, ensuring they’re organized and free of debris.

Decluttering doesn’t just help with mice—it also creates a cleaner, more organized space for you to enjoy year-round.

5. Manage Your Yard and Landscaping

Your yard can be just as important as the inside of your home when it comes to keeping mice out.

Overgrown plants, woodpiles, and other outdoor features can attract rodents and make it easier to find their way indoors. Here’s how to maintain a mouse-resistant landscape:

  • Trim Overgrown Vegetation: Keep shrubs, bushes, and tree branches trimmed, especially those close to your house. Overgrown plants can act as bridges for mice to access your roof or windows.

  • Store Firewood Properly: Stack firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and elevate it a few inches off the ground. Mice often nest in woodpiles, so keeping them at a distance reduces the risk.

  • Clear Debris: Remove leaf piles, mulch, or other yard waste where mice might hide. Keeping your lawn tidy discourages rodents from lingering near your property.

By managing your outdoor spaces, you create an additional barrier that makes your home less appealing to mice before they even think about coming inside.

Professional Help: When to Call an Expert

Despite your best efforts, some infestations require professional intervention.

If you’ve noticed persistent signs of mice—such as droppings, gnawed surfaces, or even spotting a mouse during the day—it’s time to consider calling in the experts.

Professional pest control offers several key benefits:

  • Thorough Inspections: Experts can identify hidden entry points and problem areas that may not be obvious.

  • Targeted Solutions: Professionals use proven techniques and tools to eliminate existing infestations effectively.

  • Long-Term Prevention: They provide guidance and implement measures to prevent future invasions, giving you peace of mind.

For Des Moines residents and the surrounding areas, Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management is your trusted partner in pest control.

With years of experience and a commitment to eco-friendly solutions, we specialize in keeping homes mouse-free. Our team will take on the hard work so you can focus on enjoying a rodent-free winter.

Ready to protect your home? Reach out to us today for a prompt inspection and a personalized pest control solution designed just for you. Don’t let mice take over this winter—let Bobcat Pest Management help!

FAQ: Common Questions About Keeping Mice Out

When it comes to keeping mice out of your home, many homeowners have similar questions. Here are answers to some of the most common concerns:

Q: Do mice hibernate in winter?

A: No, mice remain active throughout winter. Instead of hibernating, they search for warm, safe places like your home to nest and find food. This is why taking preventative measures during the colder months is so important.

Q: Can I use store-bought traps effectively?

A: Yes, store-bought traps can be effective when used properly. Position traps in areas with visible signs of mouse activity, like near walls or potential entry points.

For best results, use bait like peanut butter or seeds. However, traps are most effective for small infestations and may not solve larger problems.

Q: How do I prevent mice in garages or basements?

A: Garages and basements are hotspots for mice due to cracks, clutter, and stored food. If you’re asking how do you keep mice out of your house, start by focusing on these spaces to block entry and eliminate hiding spots. To prevent infestations:

  • Close off any openings around doors, windows, and vents to block potential entry points.
  • Store items in sturdy, sealed containers instead of cardboard boxes.
  • Keep these spaces clean and free of debris to eliminate hiding spots.

If you have additional questions or need more tailored advice, our team at Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us for professional advice and effective solutions.

Winter Rodent Prevention Checklist

Keep mice out of your home this winter with these quick and effective tips:

  • Seal All Entry Points: Inspect your home for gaps and cracks, and block them with steel wool, caulk, or expanding foam.

  • Store Food Properly: Use airtight containers for pantry items and pet food.

  • Eliminate Clutter: Keep indoor and outdoor spaces organized to reduce hiding and nesting spots.

  • Use Natural Deterrents: Place peppermint oil or vinegar-soaked cotton balls in problem areas to repel mice.

  • Maintain Your Yard: Trim overgrown vegetation and store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house.

  • Monitor for Signs: Regularly check for droppings, gnaw marks, or other indications of mouse activity.

  • Act Early: Set traps or consult professionals at the first sign of infestation.

This simple checklist ensures you’re covering all bases to create a rodent-proof home.

Conclusion

Winter doesn’t have to mean sharing your home with mice. By following the tips in this guide, you’ll know exactly how can you keep mice out of your house, protect your property, and enjoy a stress-free season.

If you’re dealing with persistent mouse problems or want expert help to safeguard your home, trust Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management to deliver reliable solutions. We specialize in comprehensive rodent control for Des Moines residents and surrounding areas.

Take action today! Contact us for a prompt inspection and customized pest prevention plan tailored to your needs. Together, we’ll ensure your home stays rodent-free all winter long.

About the Author

Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management, established over 12 years ago in Des Moines, IA, specializes in resolving wildlife and pest issues. Emphasizing “Your Property, Our Priority,” we are licensed by the Iowa Department of Fish and Game and the Department of Agriculture. Our team, committed to superior service, offers both one-time and yearly management programs across Des Moines and its environs, ensuring effective solutions and customer satisfaction.