If you think there may be a mouse in your house, consider your options.
There's plenty of signs that you have unwanted visitors in your home. You might see little mouse droppings along your floor, or hear scratching or movement in the walls at night. A few holes might appear in a pile of clothes on the floor. But don't worry; if you think you might have a mouse problem, there's an array of potential solutions for you to try.
Natural Remedies
There are lots of natural oils and substances that are known to repel mice. For example, mice do not enjoy the smell of peppermint or spearmint. Cotton balls can be doused in peppermint or spearmint oil, and can be placed strategically in dark crevices and in cabinets around the home. According to Grandma's Home Remedies, mint - in both plant and leaf form - can also help drive a mouse away. Bay leaves and onions may work as well. The best natural remedy is to keep your home tidy. Make sure you don't have any food crumbs on the floor, or allow easy access to cereal boxes or grains.
Home Remedies
If you want to start by using items around your house, try mothballs and fabric softener sheets. These two items notoriously discourage mice from hanging around your home. Place them around your storage areas and behind furniture. The scent of ammonia may work as well. Try putting ammonia in a small dish, and place it in a safe place where no children or pets might eat it.
Chemical Remedies
You can buy chemical powders that mimic the urinary smells of predators, such as the fox and bobcat. Organic, natural versions of these substances - which are actual samples of urine - are also available for sale, and may be safer for homes with children and pets. Poisonous repellents include powders and pellets which could prove toxic to the rodents. Some pellets kill mice if they are eaten.
Purchased Remedies
The traditional mousetrap isn't considered the most humane way to get rid mice, but it often works if you only have one or two mice in your home. Put bait on the mousetrap, such as peanut butter or cheese, and set the trap up in an inconspicuous corner or crevice, close to where you think there may be a mouse. For a less grotesque solution, try purchasing contraptions that prevent mice from entering your home in the first place. An example is the Mousemesh, a mesh insert that is placed over vents to discourage mice from coming in.
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