How to Keep Mice Out This Fall (Exclusion Checklist)

Steel wool, door sweeps and food storage: the 1-hour fall checklist that stops mice before they move in.

DIY-friendly: Usually DIY-able: correct ID + sealed entry + label-led method. Act on first signs — it only gets cheaper early. Hiring guide →

Why fall matters

Cool nights push mice toward warmth. A house sealed in September stays quiet all winter. One overlooked pipe gap undoes everything.

The 6 mm rule

Check kitchens, basements, attics and garages. Utility entries, dryer vents, AC lines and sill plates are classic entries. Seal from outside and inside.

Traps as monitors

Set two snap traps per suspect room, baited with peanut butter, perpendicular to walls. An empty trap for 2 weeks means the seal holds. A catch means a gap remains — re-inspect.

Cleanup safety

Wear gloves and a mask. Spray droppings with disinfectant, wipe — never sweep dry. Air out closed sheds and cabins first.

How to: How to Keep Mice Out This Fall (Exclusion Checklist)

One-hour fall mouse-proofing walk.

You'll need

steel wool
caulk
door sweeps
airtight bins
snap traps

Tools

flashlight
ladder

Walk the foundation at dusk

Shine a flashlight along foundation, pipes, vents and garage seals. Mark every gap, crack or chew mark.
Seal with steel wool plus caulk

Pack holes with steel wool, then caulk over. Use metal mesh for vents. Foam alone is chewed through.
Fix doors and garage

Fit door sweeps so no light shows underneath. Seal garage door edges and utility line entries.
Remove food and shelter

Bin dry goods, pet food and bird seed. Move firewood 20 feet out, cut clutter off basement floors.