Introduce the Challenge of Mice with Dogs
Mice are a very common pest that can be difficult to control when you have pets like dogs. According to the 2019 American Housing Survey, around 2.9 million homes reported sightings of mice. While dogs may initially scare mice away with their barking and presence, they usually will not catch or kill mice that enter the home.
However, it’s still important to get rid of mice in your home due to the risks they pose. Mice can spread diseases, contaminate food, and cause property damage by chewing on wires and fabrics. Their droppings also contain allergens that can trigger asthma. Having mice around is not sanitary or safe, so it’s best to take action to remove them, even if you have pets.
Prevent Mice Before They Enter
One of the best ways to deal with mice when you have dogs is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Mice can squeeze through holes as small as a dime, so it’s important to seal any cracks or gaps along the foundation, around windows and doors, and wherever wires or pipes enter the house (Source). Use steel wool, caulk, foam sealant, or metal kick plates to plug these entry points. Keeping your home well-maintained can help block access.
You’ll also want to clear away any exterior clutter or debris that mice can hide under, like piles of leaves, stacked wood, or overgrown plants. Removing potential nesting sites near the exterior of your home reduces the chance mice will try to come inside (Source). Keep your lawn mowed, trim bushes back from the house, and store any firewood at least 20 feet away.
It’s wise to store any dog food in sealed metal or plastic containers, rather than bags mice can chew through. Pick up any uneaten kibble instead of leaving it out overnight. Denying mice an easy food source can discourage them from viewing your home as a good habitat.
Use Humane Traps
One of the best dog-safe options for catching mice is to use humane live traps. These traps catch the mouse alive without harming it, allowing you to release it outside (Wilde). Humane traps are ideal when you have dogs in the home since they don’t use poison or snap traps that could potentially harm curious canines.
The best bait to use in humane traps is peanut butter or chocolate. The strong smell attracts mice to the trap, and they can’t resist the tasty treat (Wirecutter). Place traps along walls or in high mouse traffic areas where you’ve spotted droppings. Opt for discreet locations out of major walkways so the traps aren’t noticed and disturbed by dogs.
Some top-rated humane trap options include the CaptSure Humane Mouse Trap, Havahart Small 2-Door Trap, and Tomcat Live Mouse Trap. Look for traps with sensitive triggers and secure doors to effectively contain mice once trapped (Amazon).
Work With Your Dog’s Instincts
If your dog has a strong natural hunting instinct, you can use this urge to assist with catching mice humanely. Setting humane traps and allowing your dog to sniff them out taps into their inborn prey drive. Supervise your dog during this process to prevent them from damaging the trap or getting caught in it themselves. The scent of the mice will activate their desire to hunt, while the trap allows for a no-kill solution.
Letting dogs follow and investigate traps turns pest control into a rewarding game for them. Breeds like terriers and dachshunds especially tend to excel at the task, given their background as rodent hunters. Just be cautious that your dog does not get too excited and attempt to tear apart the trap. Their exceptional sense of smell makes dogs pros at tracking down even expertly hidden mice.
Clean to Remove Scent Trails
One of the best ways to deter mice is to thoroughly clean areas where they have been active. Mice are attracted to the scent trails left by other mice. Using an enzymatic cleaner formulated to eliminate odors can help remove scents that would otherwise attract new mice.
Look for evidence of mice activity and spend time cleaning those areas. Pay special attention to corners, along walls, and in closets or cupboards where food is stored. Remove any droppings, nesting materials or other signs of mice.
Use the enzymatic cleaner as directed to soak problem areas, let sit, and wipe away. This process breaks down the proteins in urine and feces that produce odors. Thorough cleaning removes the scents so new mice are not attracted.
Continue using the enzymatic cleaner even after the mice problem appears solved. Ongoing cleaning prevents residual odors from attracting new mice back into the home.
Seal Food Sources
Keeping human and dog food properly sealed and stored is essential for keeping mice away. Mice are attracted to the smells of pet food and human food and will chew through bags and boxes to get access. It’s advised to store all food, including dog kibble, treats, and canned food, in thick plastic, glass, or metal containers with tight fitting lids. This also includes food used for dog training or toys, such as milk bones. Also be sure to pick up any spilled dog food right away. Even small amounts of crumbs or leftovers are enough to attract mice. Additionally, thoroughly cleaning food prep areas and not leaving dirty dishes overnight can help avoid providing food sources for mice.
Mice can smell food odors from quite a distance, so be diligent about keeping all human and pet food sealed and limiting food smells in the home. Consider storing bulk bags of dog food in sturdy containers rather than the original bag. Clean up immediately after meals and restrict eating areas to avoid spills and crumbs that mice can access. With persistence in removing access to food, you can eliminate one of the primary reasons mice try to enter homes.
Consider Smart Devices
High-tech deterrents like ultrasonic repellents can be an effective way to keep mice away without using traps or poisons. Ultrasonic repellents emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant and irritating to rodents, encouraging them to avoid the area. These devices plug into regular wall outlets and can provide 24/7 protection.
The main advantage of ultrasonic repellents over traps is that they allow for a more humane, non-lethal approach to pest control. They also provide continuous repelling power day and night without having to be reset. However, their effectiveness can vary depending on factors like the size of the space and rodent infestation level. The sounds may also be audible to dogs, so not ideal for all pets.
For severe mouse problems, traps may be more reliable at removing mice already inside the home. But ultrasonic repellents can be a good preventative solution, keeping new mice away in combination with sealing up entry points. They’re easy to use and safe for children and pets when positioned correctly. Overall, high-tech deterrents present a hands-off way to help evict mice without harming them.
Hire a Professional Exterminator
For severe cases of rodent infestations, it may be time to call in a professional. Companies such as Orkin, Terminex, or other local pest control services use powerful chemical treatments and traps that can safely and effectively eliminate persistent mice problems. When hiring a professional exterminator, be sure to tell them you have dogs in the home so they use pet-safe poisons and place bait stations in areas the dogs cannot access.
The advantage of professional exterminators is they have industrial-strength products not available to consumers, as well as the knowledge and experience to know how to strategically place bait and traps. They also know how to find and seal up the mice’s entry points. Exterminators do charge a fee, but for difficult infestations their services can be well worth the cost to be rid of mice quickly and safely.
Some warning signs it’s time to call a professional include seeing more than 10-20 droppings per day, nests, grease marks, strange odors, or chewed food packages. Damage from mice can be extensive if the problem grows, so it’s often better to nip it in the bud with professional help.
Overall, a pest control service using pet-safe methods is an effective option for severe mouse problems or when you’ve tried home remedies without success. Their powerful treatments paired with your dogs’ keen noses make a productive team.
Teach Your Dog to Hunt
Some dog breeds like terriers have a natural inclination to hunt small prey like mice, and you may consider training your dog to help with your mouse problem. However, there are risks associated with encouraging your dog to chase and potentially bite rodents.
Certain breeds like Dachshunds, Jack Russell Terriers, and Rat Terriers can potentially be trained to hunt mice, often using methods like exposing them to caged mice to encourage their predatory instincts (source). However, mice and rats can carry diseases transmissible to dogs, so allowing them to kill rodents poses health risks.
Letting dogs hunt vermin can also encourage problem behaviors like chasing small animals or nipping, which may generalize to undesirable chasing or biting of small pets or children. It’s best to supervise interactions with rodents closely.
While some dogs may assist with mice naturally, extensive training to encourage hunting is not recommended in a home environment. Focus instead on exclusion methods like sealing entry points and removing food sources (source).
Be Persistent
Getting rid of mice, especially once an infestation has taken hold, often requires patience and persistence. Mice are resourceful and may return even after an initial elimination effort.
According to professional exterminators, eliminating mice in a typical residential home can take a month or more of consistent trapping, sealing up entry points, and removing food sources (source). Some hardy mice may evade traps and baits initially. It’s important not to give up too quickly, as mice may return if the infestation is not fully eliminated.
Be prepared that getting rid of mice is an ongoing process. Continue setting traps and sealing up any new entryways you discover. The most stubborn infestations may require working with a professional exterminator who has the tools and knowledge to fully eliminate all mice on the property.
With persistence and diligence in cutting off food sources, sealing entry points, trapping, and working to make the environment less hospitable to mice, you can successfully get rid of mice, even with dogs in the home.
