Block Entry Points

• Mice are able to squeeze into very small entry points of a home. According to Terminix, a leading pest control company, any entry point that is bigger than a quarter of an inch should be blocked. Terminix suggests that if a pencil can fit in a crack or hole, it should be assumed that a mouse can as well. Weatherproofing all exterior doors and windows is recommended, as well as blocking any exterior cracks or holes with wire mesh.
  
  

Secure All Food

• Mice will only remain in places where they can readily find food, particularly grains and sweets. Not only will unsecured food attract rodents, it only takes a small amount to sustain them. One of the safest ways to discourage mice from living in a home is by keeping all food secured in closed containers or the refrigerator. Table scraps should be quickly disposed of in a lidded trashcan or down the garbage disposal. Bread is safest in a breadbox and cereal tops should be tightly closed or stored in a plastic container.
  
  

Use Pet-Proof Traps

• Although snap traps are an effective way to get rid of mice, they are not safe for homes with cats. Pet-proof traps are available for rodent control and come in a variety of designs. A practical choice is a bait box with a small opening that is just big enough for a mouse to enter. Bait is placed inside and the box traps the mouse until the animal is removed.
  
  Bait boxes are available that keep the mouse alive or that apply an electric shock to kill the mouse. Just as a precaution for all household pets, bait boxes with poison inside are not recommended. This is because there is a slight chance a mouse could escape and spread the poison to other areas of the home.
  
  

Deter Mice With Cat Scent

• Since the cat is a natural predator of small rodents, the scent of a cat can deter some mice from entering a home. This scent can be amplified in key places to make it more effective. By sprinkling used kitty litter around suspected entry points, mice are less likely to be attracted to the dwelling. In some cases, they will be encouraged to leave a home they have already entered. This is a pet-safe and eco-friendly means of pest control but is only recommended for outdoor use due to the unpleasant odor.