Mice in the House
Mice in your home? Learn how to identify signs, set traps effectively, and exterminator costs ($200–$600).
Typical repair cost: $200–$600 · DIY difficulty: Moderate · About Ongoing.
What usually causes it
- Small gaps in exterior (mice can fit through 1/4 inch)
- Open garage doors
- Food storage issues
- Nearby construction
- Cold weather driving them indoors
What you need
- Snap traps
- Steel wool
- Caulk
- Peppermint oil (optional)
How to fix it yourself
- Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and nesting material to confirm activity
- Set snap traps along walls where you see droppings — mice travel along edges
- Use peanut butter as bait (more effective than cheese)
- Seal all exterior gaps larger than 1/4 inch with steel wool + caulk
- Store food in sealed containers and remove pet food at night
- Check traps daily and relocate if no catches after 2 days
When to call a pro
If you hear scratching in walls, see large amounts of droppings, or trapping doesn't reduce activity — you may have a larger infestation.