How to Get Rid of Mice and Rats At Home and In The Garden (2026 Latest Update)
You may be at home cleaning your kitchen or laundry room without a care in the world, when suddenly out of the corner of your eye, you see something run. It’s something relatively small and dark, but you saw it! And then you realise, you’ve just had a brief encounter with a mouse or a rat! So, how to get rid of mice and rats in your garden? Or even worse, how can you get rid of mice and rats at home?
How To Get Rid of Mice At Home or Garden:
These little common pests might make cute pets, but they’re a horrible guest when not welcome. Mice and rats in your roof or kitchen may frighten you but they can also carry icky diseases that you don’t want your home and family subjected to. Regardless of whether it’s a home, or within an aged care property where vermin is an absolute n0-go, when you first spot a mouse or rat, it could be a sign that there’s more than just one trying to move in. Your best course of action is to try and get rid of them. There are a few different ways to get rid of these little nasties, and they don’t all involve handling them with your bare hands!
Here are our top tips for getting rid of mice and rats from your home:
- Use peppermint oil
- Use mothballs
- Use mouse and rat baits
- Clean out the source
- Create barriers
- Get help from your cat
- Purchase electronic pest control
- Purchase traps
- Call in pest control
1. Use peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is a great natural way to get rid of mice and rats from a particular area. If you know that they’re only trying to get in your garage or laundry or a specific area, you can use peppermint oil to drive them away. Dab some oil onto cotton balls and place them in various spots around the room or area. The oil will dissipate into the cotton easily, so make sure to reapply the oil to the cotton balls a couple of times a week. This oil is safe for pets and humans, just be sure to select the oil that specifies it is 100% pure. This method also works outdoors as well as indoors.
2. Use mothballs
Another natural way to get rid of rats is by using mothballs. Mothballs can be used to deter mice but only work around 65% of the time. You must be cautious about using mothballs as they are highly toxic to pets and humans. If young children or pets eat them, this can cause great sickness and possibly be life-threatening. Mothballs should only be used in well-ventilated areas and are used to help control mice by placing them directly out of the box and in and around problem areas.
3. Use mouse and rat baits
There are a few different products on the market to choose from when it comes to baits. Some will have natural ingredients and others will be a little more potent. Depending on the type you choose, some require multiple doses and others will be just a one-off dose. It is best to read the instructions of the product you choose to see what will need to be done for it to work most effectively.
how to get rid of mice in the house
4. Clean out the source
More than likely, there’s a reason mice and rats want to pay a visit to your house. You may have a small bird in the home and the mice want to eat some of the bird seed. You may have pet rabbits and the rats want to get into your garden shed to eat all of their pellets. Or, you may just have some garbage that is easy to get to.
If you know of a source that these critters are trying to get to, get rid of it. You don’t have to get rid of your pets, but rather try and remove the food that the pests are trying to access. Removing the food source is an effective method for most common pests, such as getting rid of pesky possums as well. You could move the food to a new location or ensure there isn’t excess food for pests to feast on and consider moving garbage bins further away from your home if possible.
5. Create barriers
If you have mice and rats in your home, they’re getting in from somewhere. Try and stop them by removing their access to your home. If you know where they’re coming in, it’s time to block access. If there are small holes in walls and floors where they’re getting in, block them by filling the holes with a substance like gap filler. Clean the area around the gap and fill it in with the product. Allow it to set and sand it back if you need to, to smooth out any rough areas.
If you’re not sure how they’re getting in, take a good look around your home for any cracks, holes, or gaps in walls, cornices, floors, and even under doorways. You may notice an odour coming from any areas where they’re getting in. Don’t be deterred by that tiny hole you find in the corner. Mice and rats are incredibly sneaky and will get in and out of some of the smallest gaps imaginable!
6. Get help from your cat
If you don’t own a cat, we don’t suggest getting a new pet for the sake of getting rid of mice and rats. However, if you already own a cat or kitten and have a litter box or tray that they use, you may want to move the tray closer to where your rodent problem is. Mice and rats don’t like the smell of cat urine, so once they smell this after entering the home, they’ll be sure to clear off pretty quickly.
how to get rid of mice and rats in the house?
7. Purchase electronic pest control
Some devices on the market promise to get rid of pests easily with the use of electronic beeps. They’re usually high-frequency sounds that cannot be heard by humans but are hated by mice and rats. These devices can sometimes work well but for more stubborn issues, you may find the rodents getting used to the sound. This can be a problem too if the device is a little on the pricey side.
8. Purchase traps
The best traps are humane ones that don’t kill the pests. This is because killing the mice or rats means that you may attract more of the nuisances into your home as they try to make up for lost numbers in their team and need to try and get food for the remainder of them. They may also try and breed more to make up for the ones you are killing so you can end up with a vicious cycle that can be hard to break.
Get traps that will catch, but not kill them. That way, you can then release them elsewhere. It is best to take them to a wooded or bushy area close to 2 km away from your home. This ensures they don’t make their way back to your place, and gives them somewhere new to be.
Check out this YouTube video for a cheap and efficient homemade alternative:
9. Call in pest control
Of course, there’s no shame in calling in the experts. Pest control personnel are highly trained and can help you get rid of pests that you can’t. A lot of exterminators will use environmentally friendly products, so you can be at ease knowing your family will be safe. Another great thing about calling in pest control is that some will even provide a warranty period and guarantee. Not only can you ensure you can get rid of rodents, but they will stay gone for a good long while. You may even find that their services will help you to get rid of other nasties you didn’t even know you had like ants, cockroaches, fleas, spiders, ants and many more. Call Pestline now for a free quote or find out more about our mice and rat control and other rodent control services.
FAQs
How to get rid of rats?
To get rid of rats, remove their food and shelter, seal the gaps they use to enter, then use traps or baits. Store pet feed and rubbish securely, fill holes with gap filler, and check for activity weekly. If rats keep returning, Pestline’s rat control treats the source.
How to get rid of rats in the house?
To get rid of rats in the house, find and seal entry points like cracks, gaps under doors and holes in walls, floors and cornices. Remove food sources and set traps where you see activity. Rats in the roof or walls are best handled by a professional.
How to get rid of rats in house fast?
The fastest way to get rid of rats in the house is professional pest control. A technician can locate entry points and treat the infestation quickly. DIY steps like sealing gaps, removing food and setting traps help but are slower. Call Pestline on 1300 361 646 for a free quote.
What’s the best way to get rid of rats?
The best way to get rid of rats is to combine prevention with control: remove food and nesting sources, seal entry points, then use traps or baits. For lasting results, professional rat control targets the colony, and some providers offer a warranty.
What’s the best way to get rid of mice?
The best way to get rid of mice is to block entry points, remove food and use traps or baits together. Pure peppermint oil on cotton balls can deter mice from small areas but won’t fix an established problem. For persistent mice, Pestline’s mice control is the reliable option.
How to get rid of mice quickly?
To get rid of mice quickly, place traps along walls where you see activity, seal gaps and remove food at the same time. Doing only one of these rarely works. If mice persist after a few days, book a pest controller for faster results.
How to get rid of a mouse in the house?
To get rid of a mouse in the house, seal the hole it’s using, remove accessible food and place a trap along the wall where it travels. One mouse often means more, so keep checking for droppings and noises. If sightings continue, call a pest controller.
What does pest control for rats and mice involve?
Pest control for rats and mice involves inspecting for entry points and activity, then treating the infestation. Many pest controllers use environmentally friendly products. Tell your technician about any pets or children so they can tailor the treatment. Mothballs, by contrast, are highly toxic to both.
When should I call a rat and mice exterminator?
Call a rat and mice exterminator when DIY methods haven’t worked, you find droppings or hear noises in the roof or walls, or you need the problem gone quickly. It’s especially important in kitchens and aged care, where rodents are unacceptable.
Will rats and mice come back after treatment?
Rats and mice can return if food sources and entry points aren’t dealt with. Sealing gaps and securing food and rubbish prevents re-entry. Professional treatment can come with a warranty period for added peace of mind.
The Final Word
Did you know that there is an estimation of 4 rats for every person? From natural traps to budget pest control options, we have a variety of options suitable for all kinds of circumstances. At the end of the day, if nothing is working or you would rather make your house pest-free immediately, professional pest control will always be here to help!
Want to know how to get other bugs out of your home? Check out our other blogs:
- How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
- How To Get Rid Of German Cockroaches
- How To Detect Termites
- How To Remove Fleas From Furniture
- How To Keep Flies Away From Home
- How To Get Rid Of Ants
