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It’s easy to panic when you first see signs of mice in your home, but by investing in the right products from the outset, you can be ready to address the issue quickly. Early signs of the presence of mice—like droppings, gnaw marks, or scratching noises—shouldn’t be ignored. These pests can quickly multiply and cause significant damage to your home and peace of mind.
If you act promptly, however, you can prevent a minor nuisance from becoming a major rodent infestation. This shopping guide details everything you’ll want to stock up on at the first signs of a mouse problem. We also spoke to Peter Rania, president and CEO of Waltham Pest Control in Burlington, Massachusetts, for his input on the best picks for mouse control.
1. Xcluder Rodent Control Fill Fabric
When you notice signs of a mouse problem, the first step is to figure out where the rodents are entering your home. Once you’ve determined the entrance points, steel wool is a great tool for the job. While you can use steel wool you already have around the house in a pinch, the Xcluder Rodent Control Fill Fabric is made of a stainless steel wool and polyfiber material specifically designed to fill gaps that mice can squeeze through. It’s worth noting that steel wool is prone to rust, though this stainless steel product is more resistant. For a longer-term rust-proof option, consider copper mesh like the next product ahead.
Get the Xcluder Rodent Control Fill Fabric at Amazon for $23.70.
2. Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh
For a rust-proof gap filler, try the Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh. Since it doesn’t rust, it won’t leave pesky marks behind, making it a better choice for wet areas and long-term use. It’s pliable and performs much the same as steel wool products, preventing rodents from chewing through it. Regardless of whether you use steel wool or copper mesh, you’ll want to consider adding caulk or expandable foam to seal it into gaps, which will prevent mice and rats from pulling it out.
Get the Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh at Amazon for $29.55.
3. DAP Dynaflex 230 Premium Elastomeric Sealant
Caulking supplies are crucial for sealing cracks and crevices in your home. Considering mice can enter gaps as small as the diameter of a pencil, you’ll want to seal any gaps less than ¼ inch wide. Our recommendation for the best exterior caulk is DAP Dynaflex 230 Premium Elastomeric Sealant. This latex caulk is an excellent all-rounder that is suitable for use on most building materials. It’s also ready to paint in 2 hours, so you can apply it and match the surrounding area in a day.
What our tester says: “Since silicone doesn’t typically mix well with wood, I was excited to give this latex sealant a shot, and it did very well.”—Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the DAP Dynaflex 230 Premium Elastomeric Sealant at Ace Hardware for $6.99.
4. Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks Expanding Foam
For larger gaps, expanding foam can be a better choice than caulking. In our testing for the best expanding foam, the Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks Expanding Foam came out on top. It’s suitable for gaps up to an inch wide and was easy to use and control. The Smart Dispenser was a highlight that improved placement precision and made the can reusable for up to 30 days, just in case you need to go back to fill in any missed gaps.
What our tester says: “Like the other cans of expandable foam we tested, Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks comes with a dispensing tube. The nice thing about this tube is that it’s rigid and tapers to a point, which made it simple to direct the foam where we wanted it. Some of the other cans had thin, flexible tubes, which required holding the tube with one hand while depressing the spray trigger of the can.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks Expanding Foam at Amazon for $8.18.
5. Chef’s Path Airtight Food Storage Containers
As soon as you see signs of a mouse infestation, it’s important to protect your nonperishable food from hungry intruders. Storing food and other items in air-tight bins makes them less attractive to mice. The Chef’s Path Food Storage Containers are the best storage bins for the pantry. They are airtight, so mice can’t smell or access the contents. In our testing, we found them user-friendly, with a streamlined flip-lock lid. They help keep food fresh for longer and look nice too, so they’re useful to have in the pantry even once the mice are gone.
What our tester says: “In testing, we used these storage containers to keep pantry items such as pasta, sugar, and flour airtight and fresh. We liked the flip lock at the top, which made opening and closing simple, and the attractive, streamlined appearance of the canisters made our pantry look neater and more modern.”—Debbie Wolfe, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the Chef’s Path Airtight Food Storage Containers at Amazon for $34.99.
6. Holikme Door Draft Stopper
One of the best door draft stoppers can also double as a deterrent against mice. The Holikme Door Draft Stopper reduces the gap at the bottom of doors, blocking a possible entry point for rodents. This peel-and-stick silicone stopper is easy to cut to size, so you can get as tight of a fit as possible. While determined rodents may be able to chew through it, this affordable product can still add an extra layer of defense under gappy doors, not to mention improve weather- and sound-proofing as well.
What our tester says: “The silicone is easy to trim down to a smaller width with a sharp utility knife, and the installation is just peel and stick. This process was simple, but it wasn’t easy to adjust once stuck, so if you place it incorrectly the first time, you may be unable to try again.”—Amber Guetebier, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the Holikme Door Draft Stopper (2-Pack) at Amazon for $7.99.
7. Victor Quick-Kill Mouse Trap
Once you’ve sealed all potential entry points and protected your pantry items, it’s time to get rid of the mice who have made it inside. Snap traps are a go-to solution for many homeowners because of their effective design and affordable price. These traps are easy to set up and can be placed all over the house. “I prefer the Victor Quick-Kill Mouse Trap, which kills mice instantly upon contact,” says Rania. “Place two to three traps along walls where you see droppings or entry points. Bait the trigger plate with peanut butter to attract mice.”
Get the Victor Quick-Kill Mouse Trap at The Home Depot for $4.76.
8. Victor Electronic Mouse Trap
Electronic traps offer a modern solution to traditional mouse traps. “I like the Victor Electronic Humane Mouse Trap, which delivers a quick electric shock to kill mice,” says Rania. He further explains that these traps can hold multiple mice before emptying them, making them ideal for larger infestations. An LED light lets you know when a mouse has been caught so you can empty the trap.
Get the Victor Electronic Mouse Trap at Amazon for $19.98.
9. Motel Mouse Catch and Release Mouse Traps
Live catch traps are a more humane option for those who prefer to release mice back outside. The Motel Mouse Catch and Release Mouse Traps safely capture mice without harming them, making them an excellent choice for ethical pest control. They come in a pack of two and are safe for homes with pets and young children. Just keep in mind that mice can spread disease through their urine and poop (it’s why the CDC actually doesn’t recommend live mouse traps), so take extra care when emptying and cleaning the trap.
Get the Motel Mouse Catch and Release Mouse Traps at Amazon for $13.99.
10. Professional Pest Control
If the infestation is severe, consider hiring professional pest control services. “Exterminators can fully assess the situation, eliminate existing mice, and seal up any entry points to prevent future problems,” Rania says. “An integrated pest management approach works best for long-term mouse control.”
The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on [date].
