A mouse infestation will disrupt the normal order of things in your garage, whether it is well-organized or more prone to curated chaos. Let’s be real. Mice in the garage can leave you feeling frustrated, if not terrified.
Dealing with potentially dozens of long-tailed rodents in your garage can be overwhelming without a plan of action for how to get rid of mice in your garage. Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as it appears.
Symptoms of a Garage Mouse Infestation
An unpleasant, musky odor, mouse droppings, mouse feces, pets pawing or scratching at garage walls or storage areas, or discovering a nest made of shredded paper, fiber, or cloth are all signs of a rodent infestation in your garage. Of course, if you’re in a dark garage, you might just see a mouse.
How Do You Get Rid of Mice in Your Garage?
Mice like to start families quickly. In fact, females can have up to 60 babies per year. The better the living conditions, the larger the family, and the greater the possibility that mice will move from an attached garage to the inside of your home.
Here’s a two-step plan for keeping mice out of your garage:
Step 1: Get rid of or confine things that attract mice
Rethink how you keep any potential food sources or nesting materials (plastic containers, or heavy-duty containers with tight-fitting lids are an easy answer). Check under the hood, in the trunk, and inside the glove compartment for nesting material or damage to mechanical wires if you have a car you rarely use.
Here’s a list of common household items that can attract mice by providing food or nesting materials.
- Stacks of items such as empty boxes and old newspapers.
- Grain, bird seed, pet food, grass seed, or other bulk edibles in sacks.
- Food, snacks, and trash left in your car.
- Vehicles and engines that are rarely or never started.
- Uncovered trash.
Step 2: Place Bait Stations Strategically
If mice have already established themselves in your warm garage, the most effective way to get rid of them is to set up a bait station. To complete the task, strategically place enough of these in the garage where mice will find them.
Mice are creatures of habit; they will not seek out new food sources unless absolutely necessary. They also have poor eyesight, so when mice leave the nest in search of food, they stay close to walls, corners, pipes, and beams. Place bait stations wherever you see mouse droppings, rub marks or other signs of mouse activity.
Install reusable bait stations 8 to 12 feet apart, following all label instructions. Check them frequently, at least once a day. Also, keep in mind that mice prefer fresh food. Replace any old bait in the station with new bait for at least 15 days, or until you’re certain you’ve eliminated the problem. Move the bait stations to new locations where mice activity is suspected to attract even more mice. Wear gloves when handling these devices to keep your scent off the bait, making it more appealing to mice.
A plan for how to get rid of mice in your garage can help alleviate the agony of a mouse infestation. You can kick mice out and keep them away with these tips, so you can go back to looking for holiday lights, rocking out with the band, or tinkering around without fear.
Now that you’ve gotten the mice out of your garage, here are some suggestions from our Nashville garage door repair company experts for keeping them away in the future:
- Bring yourself down to their level. Turn off the lights and stoop to the ground. Look for light coming in through cracks, crawl spaces, holes, and crevices. Examine the walls, as well as the area around the front door, any garage windows, and any openings around piping or ductwork. Check that your garage door closes tightly, particularly at the bottom where it meets the ground.
- Fill in the gaps. Fill, patch, or plug any holes, cracks, or crevices. Be mindful of your choices while doing so. Spray foam, caulk, concrete mortar, metal thresholds, galvanized sheet metal, hardware cloth, steel wool, and other rodent control materials can be used. Always use airtight containers and do ensure that the mouse traps are in working condition.
- Make your surroundings hostile. Unless you make it so, your garage is a welcoming haven for mice. Toying with mice’s senses is one method of repelling them. Mice have a keen sense of smell and a taste for everything delicious, but there are a few things they cannot stand, such as ammonia or peppermint.
Once the infestation has been removed, it is critical that you reinforce your garage door and make any necessary repairs. A dedicated team of Nashville’s garage door repair service professionals can assist you in installing rodent block door seals or adjustable rodent deterrents for your door jambs.
For more information on our Brentwood garage door repair services or to schedule an appointment, call Tip Top Garage Doors at (615)-696-7300 today!