Evict and Exile Mice from Your Home

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Step three: evict them

Modern trap designs are easier to use than the traditional mouse trap. Shown are a metal lever trap with a clothespin-like closing mechanism and an expanded trigger snap trap.

Trapping. Snap trapping is recommended–but keep traps out of reach of children and pets. Try concealing snap traps inside coffee cans or PVC pipe. Set traps at night, when mice are most active, and check or remove them in the morning. Live traps should be checked morning and evening to prevent the animal(s) from dying of hunger, dehydration, or stress.

Live trapping with box traps or glue boards may be used for monitoring and for removal. The technique raises legal, ethical, and biological concerns, especially with exotic species such as the house mouse and Norway rat; these issues are discussed in the "Beasts be gone!" brochure.

It’s better to trap intensively for a few days than to set only a few traps for a long time. Place the traps within travel routes, in corners, or near holes or nests. Traps set in pairs are more effective than single traps. A dab of crunchy peanut butter on the trigger is an enticing lure.

Space snap traps every 5-10 feet along the route, at a right angle to the wall. The trigger should snap towards the wall. Snap traps can also be attached to rafters with nails and to pipes with wire or "hook and loop" ("Velcro") strips. Live traps should be placed parallel to the wall.

Rodenticides. IPM stresses a thoughtful and well-coordinated approach to pest management which, in some cases, includes the judicious use of pesticides. If you choose this option, follow the manufacturer’s label carefully or work with a professional.

Rodenticides are sold in many different forms, including pellets, powder, blocks, and meal. Keys to success are choosing the proper bait, placing the bait stations effectively (make sure they’re anchored and tamper-proof), removing all other foods, and giving the bait enough time to work.

These pesticides can be hazardous to children, pets, and wildlife. In addition, animals that eat poisoned mice could be poisoned themselves. Poisoned rodents may die inside walls and subfloors where they cannot easily be removed. Their slow decomposition creates foul odors and attracts other pests, such as flies and beetles.

Given these risks, a safer and more environmentally sensitive strategy is to trap the mice that are already inside and prevent others from entering your home. Another reason to "mouse-proof" your home is the large reproductive capacity of the house mouse–just one female can produce over 40 young each year. Mouse populations can recover quickly, so couple eviction with "exile" for a long-term solution.

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These pages are maintained by the New York State IPM Program, part of Cornell Cooperative Extension. All material is protected by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law. Copyright is held by Cornell University and the New York State IPM Program.