How can I control mice and rats in the house without pesticides?
Good sanitation is essential to prevent and control mice and rats. Review the basic IPM principles at the beginning of this bulletin. Improperly stored garbage often leads to problems with rodents. Keep garbage in sealed cans; mice and rats readily chew through bags. Rats and mice eat a wide variety of foods in the kitchen, and they can chew through many materials. Seed falling from bird feeders will also attract rodents. Outside, keep grass mowed and do not allow clutter to build up. Rodents look for secure places to hide. If you make the outside of your home unattractive to rodents, you will minimize problems indoors as well. Keep storage places clean. In basements and storerooms, store lumber, boxes, cartons, and other objects on racks at least one foot above the floor and away from walls. If your home has double walls with spaces between ceilings and floors, make sure the spaces are tightly sealed. Rats and mice will nest in these places. Rats can be excluded from most structures,
