How to Mouse-Proof Your Home: 12 Mouse Proofing Tips
Have you ever wondered how to mouse-proof your home effectively?
Mouse-proofing is more than a quick fix. It’s a long-term approach to creating a mouse-resistant environment. Think of it as being about making your home less attractive and accessible to mice.
This guide offers expert advice and practical tips to secure your home against mice if you discover them. It focuses on prevention and humane solutions. Here are 12 mouse-proofing tips for a peaceful, mouse-free home.
Quick Guide: Mouse-Proof Your Home in 30 Minutes
- Remove attractants: Remove food, shut bins and reduce clutter
- Block entry points: Focus on low-level gaps first (pipes, door thresholds, air bricks)
- Use the right materials: Use mesh/gnaw-proof filler + sealant
- If you've got active mice: Proofing stops new mice, but you'll still need to use traps to remove what's already inside too
#1 Clean Up Food & Rubbish
Keep your home and surroundings clean, especially from food and rubbish. Secure rubbish bins, compost heaps, and remove potential food sources. This may include removing pet food from bowls, crumbs in the kitchen, or spilt bird seed outdoors.
#2 Minimise Clutter
Minimise clutter in and around your home to reduce hiding and nesting spots for mice. This includes clutter in the garage, overgrown vegetation in the garden, or piles of firewood which should be kept a distance from your home.
#3 Seal Cracks, Holes & Gaps
Identify and seal all cracks, holes, and gaps on the exterior and interior of your home using rodent proofing products. Depending on what’s involved, use a combination of rodent mesh / metal screening plus a quality sealant (and use expanding foam only as support, not as the chew-proof barrier). Focus on gaps which are at least a pencil's width or around 5mm (BPCA guidance), as this is the size a mouse can squeeze through. Don't forget to check under window seals and in the attic.
#4 Seal Pipes & Wires
Identify and seal all gaps around water pipes and wires going into or outside the property with steel wool and caulk for a durable fix.
#5 Install Door Sweeps
Use rodent-proof door sweeps on exterior doors to prevent mice and rats from squeezing underneath.
#6 Secure Vents
Ensure that all exterior vents are covered with robust screens or grates, as these are great entry points for mice living in your walls. Remember to check if you may have vents in your attic.
Use a proper vent cover/screen that still allows airflow — don’t fully block vents needed for ventilation.
#7 Cap Chimneys
Use caps or screens on chimneys to prevent mice from climbing in and out. If you have an active flue or you’re unsure what’s safe for your setup, choose a suitable cowl/screen and get professional advice.
#8 Keep Indoor Food Secure
Store all food in airtight containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic. Keep pet food sealed and only accessible during feeding times.
#9 Maintain Your Drive and Garden
Regularly cut your lawn, trim vegetation and remove debris. Avoid planting shrubs too close to your home to discourage rodents from burrowing near foundations.
#10 Conduct Regular Inspections
Routinely check your home for signs of rodent activity, such as droppings, gnaw marks, or damaged food packaging.
#11 Conduct Regular Repairs
Keep an eye on the integrity of exclusion materials and promptly repair or replace them if they're damaged.
#12 Get Professional Help
Consider hiring a professionally qualified pest control professional if things get worse.
Final Word
There's no time to waste. Implement some or all of these 12 mouse-proofing strategies today, and significantly reduce the risk of finding mice in your home. Taking control now can save you time, money, and stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How small a gap can a mouse get through?
Mice can squeeze through very small gaps - around 5mm in some cases - so focus on low-level entry points first.
What's the best material to block mouse holes?
Use metal mesh / rodent-proof screening plus a durable sealant or mortar. Avoid relying on foam alone in high-risk gaps.
Should I cover air bricks and vents?
Yes - but use mesh covers/screens so airflow remains.
Do door sweeps work for mice?
Yes. Brush strips/door sweeps help close small gaps under doors.
If I mouse-proof my home, do I still need traps?
If mice are already inside, proofing stops new entry, but you may still need trapping to clear the current activity.
We go to great lengths to ensure that our DIY mouse proofing products are effective, fast and easy for everyone. You may also find our expert guide useful if you want to learn more about getting rid of mice from your home or workplace.
