A garage is where many folks store junk and other items from their house that are not regularly used.
Sometimes, this includes sentimental items.
These are all nesting materials that mice use to create a warm, secure nest!
Also, as your garage offers mice some protection against predators, they will happily set up a home in there, assuming they can get into it.
We have already detailed ways to keep mice out of your garage, but what if they are already there? If that is the case, you will need to know how to get rid of mice in the garage.
This post will give you the best way to get rid of mice in the garage, which is the following 9-step guide.
What you will learn in this post:
- 9 Step guide for how to get rid of mice in garage spaces
- Frequently asked questions
How to Get Rid of Mice in The Garage – 9-Step Guide
Here is the 9-step process if you want to know how to get rid of mice in the garage.
The key message here is that it takes time, and some excellent notes (taken in steps 1 and 2) to get rid of mice in your garage! You should not expect to have a mouse free garage straight away.
Before you begin, you should always be protected when entering an enclosed environment where mice have been.
At a minimum, I have a respirator on. It stops any poop and urine particles from getting into my lungs.
I’ll also have some strong gloves and some protection for my feet.
Ensure that your clothes are washed when you have finished too.
Good luck!
Identify Entry Points
The first thing you need to do is figure out how the mice are getting into your garage. Please note each valid entry point because you will seal it up further in the process.
This step is purely to identify these points, not to do anything with them.
I recommend that you read this post about common mouse entry points because it covers everything you need to know.
Record Mouse Activity
The next step is to note where in your garage you have noticed mouse activity.
Record every place you have seen mouse droppings or mouse urine, and any place you can see a nest. If you have seen or heard a mouse, make a note of that too.
You will use these details when setting traps, which will also be useful for cleaning afterward!
Choose Your Weapons
Now is the time to decide whether to use traps, poison, or both to catch the mice!
My preference is to use traps only, or poison with traps that contain the mice until the poison has worked.
It would be best if you always used quality mouse traps for a higher success rate.
Consider using traps that catch multiple mice if you think you are dealing with a mouse infestation.
Get The Bait Ready
It is time to prepare the mouse bait! It would be best if you went for peanut butter first.
There are plenty of other mouse bait options too.
If you find that one bait is not very successful, you should move on to the next. I’ve never met a mouse who is a picky eater, but they might exist in your garage!
Peanut butter on a mouse trap is the way to go.
Decide Where To Place The Traps
If you want to know how to get rid of mice in the garage, you need to know the best places to put mouse traps.
This is where your knowledge from steps 1 and 2 comes into play.
Note the best places to put your mouse traps, but don’t put them down just yet.
Seal Entry Points
Now is the time to seal those entry points to prevent mice from getting in.
We do not want any more mice to get in at this time. I suggest doing this at sunset if you can. There is more chance that the mice are out looking for food as this is when they become more active.
If the mice are out of your garage and you seal up the entry points, they will not be able to get back in, which is awesome news!
The biggest issue you face here is closing gaps in your garage door, but you should do all you can.
By closing these gaps, you are helping to keep mice away.
Set The Traps
Ok, you have sealed the entry points, your mouse bait is ready, and now is the time to set them down!
Setting mouse traps needs to be be done correctly to increase the chances of success.
If you do not set the traps correctly, you could end up missing mouse traps or missing bait!
Check The Traps
Now that you have the traps laid down, it is time for you to leave them to work. Try to visit your garage as few times as possible. This will allow the mice to come out and stumble upon the traps.
You should be checking the traps every 2-3 days to see if any mice have been caught.
If you have caught a mouse, get rid of the dead mouse, clean the trap, and set it back up again to catch more! The job is not over until you have confirmed the next step.
Quick note – if you catch a live mouse, you must dispose of it correctly!
Confirm The Mice Have Gone
The final step is to check to see if all the mice have gone!
If you have confirmed this to be the case, then you have won your battle against the mice! You wanted to know how to get rid of mice in the garage, and now you have done it. Congratulations!
Now that you have removed the mice and sealed their entry points, you should not get any mice back in. Don’t forget to perform regular checks around your home for any new entry points to strengthen this position.
Cleaning Up
Once you have confirmed that all of the mice have gone from your garage, you can begin the cleanup process. You should be completing the following tasks:
- Clean mice urine
- Clean mice poop
- Destroy and clean areas used for nesting
- Dispose of gnawed items
If you have had mice that have died in your garage, you need to follow the correct process for getting rid of a dead mouse and smell!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do mice like your garage?
Mice like your garage because it offers them a warm, safe environment to set up a nest. Also, mice are afraid of humans, so they prefer to set up a nest in places people do not frequently visit. Your garage is a prime place for mice if it is not secured!
How do mice get into your garage?
Mice can enter your garage through any crack or hole that is small enough. You should seal off entry points to your garage that mice can use to gain entry. Perform regular and thorough checks around your garage to identify any entry points and seal them up immediately.
Do mice nest in a garage?
Yes – mice will happily set up a nest in your garage! It offers them a secure environment away from predators to rear their young.
Not only that, but it also offers warmth and protection from you!
Mice are scared of humans, so they will want to stay out of your way!
Ultimately, if they have a nest in there, then not only do you need to get rid of a mouse in your garage, but you need to get rid of a nest of them too!
Is it common to have mice in the garage?
Yes – it is common to have mice in the garage.
They are attracted to your garage because it offers protection and a safe environment to build a nest and raise their young. Your garage will likely have more items they can chew up for nesting.
Although it is common, you will want to get rid of mice in your garage if you notice them there!
Conclusion
If you want to know how to get rid of mice infestation in a garage, then the 9-step process on this page will give your precisely what you need!
The key thing is that you make detailed notes right at the start of the process. These notes are taken in steps 1 and 2.
These notes will drive success in catching the mice because it gives you information on where you can address the issue. This is excellent knowledge in your quest to have a mouse-free garage!
Let’s not forget that mice can harbor some nasty diseases, such as hantavirus and leptospirosis (which can be fatal for your pets).
For this reason, you will want to get rid of them very quickly. This is also why I ALWAYS wear protection when entering a confined area known to have mice activity.
A respirator, some strong gloves, and foot protection are a must!
Good luck!