Mice don’t wait for an invitation. They sneak in through tiny gaps, hide behind walls, and start making themselves at home before you even notice. One day, it’s a little scratching sound in the walls. The next, you spot droppings in the kitchen. By the time you actually see a mouse, there’s a good chance more are lurking out of sight.
So, what now? Getting rid of mice isn’t just about setting traps and hoping for the best. If you don’t tackle the problem the right way, they’ll keep coming back. Here’s how to take control and keep your apartment mouse-free.
Figure Out Where They’re Hiding
Mice don’t like to be seen. If you’ve spotted one, there are likely more hiding nearby. They stick to small, dark spaces where they feel safe—behind appliances, under sinks, inside cabinets, and even inside walls. The first step is to figure out where they’re spending most of their time.
Look for:
- Small black droppings, especially in corners or near food
- Chewed-up food packages or holes in boxes
- Gnawed furniture, baseboards, or wires
- A musky odor in certain areas
- Scratching sounds, especially at night
Once you know their hiding spots, you’ll have a much better idea of where to focus your efforts.
Close Off Entry Points
Mice don’t need a big opening to get inside—anything the size of a dime is enough. If there’s an easy way in, they’ll keep using it.
Common entry points include:
- Gaps under doors
- Cracks in walls
- Spaces around pipes or vents
- Openings near windows
- Holes in cabinets
The best way to stop them is by sealing these gaps. Steel wool works well because mice can’t chew through it. For larger openings, use caulk or spray foam. If you’re renting, talk to your property manager about sealing any big cracks or gaps you can’t fix yourself.
Cut Off Their Food Supply
Mice don’t stick around unless they have a reason to. If food is easy to find, they’ll keep coming back. The less access they have to food, the less appealing your apartment becomes.
Store everything in sealed containers
Mice can chew through cardboard, plastic bags, and thin plastic containers. Glass or heavy-duty plastic with tight lids works best.
Clean up crumbs immediately
Sweep and wipe down surfaces regularly, especially in the kitchen.
Take out the trash often
Even a small amount of food waste can attract them. Use a trash can with a lid.
Don’t leave dishes in the sink overnight
It might not seem like a big deal, but even a few leftover food scraps can bring them in.
Be careful with pet food
If you have a pet, don’t leave food sitting out all night.
The less food mice can find, the harder it will be for them to survive in your apartment.
Set the Right Traps in the Right Places
Traps are one of the most effective ways to catch mice, but placement is everything. Mice follow the same paths over and over, usually along walls or in hidden corners. If you put traps in random spots, you might not catch anything.
Snap traps are the most effective. They work quickly and kill mice instantly.
Live traps are an option. If you don’t want to kill them, you can use catch-and-release traps, but you’ll need to take them far from the building so they don’t come back.
Glue traps can work, but they’re not the most humane. If you use them, check often so the mouse doesn’t suffer for too long.
For bait, peanut butter is usually the best choice. It has a strong smell and sticks to the trap, so the mouse can’t just grab it and run.
Don’t Rely on Just One Solution
Getting rid of mice takes more than just setting a few traps. If you don’t block entry points or remove food sources, new mice will replace the ones you catch. The most effective approach is a combination of:
- Sealing up holes and cracks
- Keeping your apartment as clean as possible
- Removing easy access to food
- Placing traps in the right spots
If you skip any of these steps, you might see fewer mice for a while, but the problem will come back.
Why Poison Isn’t the Best Choice
Poison might seem like an easy fix, but it often creates more problems than it solves. Mice don’t die immediately—they crawl into walls, vents, or other hidden spots, and when they die, the smell can become unbearable.
Another issue is safety. If you have pets or kids, rodent poison can be dangerous. Even if a pet doesn’t eat the poison directly, they could get sick from catching or eating a poisoned mouse.
Traps and prevention methods are usually much safer and more effective in the long run.
How to Keep Mice from Coming Back
Once you’ve gotten rid of them, the last thing you want is another infestation. Keeping mice out long-term is all about making your apartment less inviting.
Seal up new cracks or gaps as soon as you notice them
Even a tiny opening can be enough for a mouse to squeeze through.
Stay on top of cleaning
A cluttered apartment gives mice plenty of hiding spots.
Be careful with food storage
Even after the mice are gone, it’s a good idea to keep everything sealed.
Watch for signs of new activity
If you hear scratching or see new droppings, act quickly before the problem gets worse.
When to Get Professional Help
Sometimes, no matter how much you try, mice keep coming back. If that happens, it’s worth bringing in professionals. Pest control experts can find entry points you might have missed and use treatments that are more effective than DIY methods.
If you live in an apartment managed by a property company, you may have access to pest control services through Pest Share. Check with your property manager to see if this is an option for you.
Mice might be small, but they cause big problems. They chew on furniture and wires, get into food, and leave behind droppings that can spread bacteria. Once they show up, they won’t leave on their own—you have to take action.
The good news? You don’t need expensive treatments or complicated solutions. By sealing off entry points, keeping food stored properly, setting traps in the right spots, and keeping things clean, you can get rid of mice and keep them from coming back.
If they keep showing up despite your best efforts, don’t wait—reach out for help. The sooner you deal with the problem, the easier it will be to stop.
