How To Keep Mice Out of Your Garage

If you live in Southern Ontario, chances are you’ve seen mice take residence in your garage. Like you, many have been battling this kind of pest infestation regardless of the season.

Needless to say, it’s a problem that requires your utmost attention because of the health risks involved with it. Unfortunately, some homeowners aren’t aware that the largest access point for mice to get in is their garage door.

That said, this post will tell you how to keep mice out of your garage. It’ll also discuss some household tips on how to get rid of them in case you already have some inside. At Toronto Garage Door Repair we have many years experience helping homeowners and businesses with pest control for the garage. Let’s take a look!

How do mice get into your garage?

Mice occupy garages during summer to get away from the outdoor heat. Similarly, you’d see them sneak in when the weather gets cold to stay warm. If you aren’t alert and careful, you can expect them to take a year-round stay in your garage.

The most common rodent you’d see in your garage would either be a house mouse or a Deer mouse. These creatures are so tiny that they only need a hole the size of a penny to get in. They could easily gain access through unrepaired holes and cracks in your walls and windows

However, if your house doesn’t have any openings for mice to get in; then, they’ll create one. They’ll do it by chewing through the weather stripping underneath your garage door. Mice can pull it off easily, especially if it’s an overused and worn-out weather strip.

How to prevent mice from entering your garage

Using heavy-duty weather stripping with metal wire insulation can prevent mice from entering the garage. This section will give you an in-depth look at the benefits of a reliable weather strip.

Keeps Rodents and Bugs Out

A reliable and long-lasting weather stripping should have layers upon layers of protective components.

It needs to have an outer layer made of solid and durable rubber. Beneath that layer should be a metal wire insulation screen. This further enhances the integrity of the device. Lastly, it should also have a fabric layer beneath the steel wire.

Apart from being cost-efficient because of its durability, the build quality of this product discourages mice from chewing through it.

In addition, this weather stripping also has a brush seal attached to it. This prevents bugs from getting in your garage as well. The flexibility of the brush, likewise, makes the stripping suitable for garages with lumpy and rough surfaces.

Safe for Kids and Pets

While you can prevent rodents through several means, some of these methods may put your family at risk. For example, you can use rodenticides to deal with mice; however, mouse poisons aren’t safe for you and your loved ones.

Rodenticides have a substance that could compromise your body’s blood-clotting ability. Continuous exposure to it could cause the non-stop bleeding of your wounds.

It’s tempting to use mousetraps and baiting devices. However, many of them are harmful to kids and pets. Snap traps could misfire when your child or pet accidentally touches them. Bait stations aren’t child-friendly either because of their toxic mouse baits.

It’s futile to prevent mice infestation by using procedures that could put your family’s safety at risk. This is the reason why many homeowners use safer methods such as weather strips to prevent mice from getting into their garages.

Other Features and Benefits of Weather Stripping

Weatherstripping could also help regulate the temperature in your house. That’s thanks to its ability to fill in the gaps. It keeps your garage cool during the summer seasons and warm when winter hits.

Additionally, it prevents the stuff in your garage from getting exposed to moisture outside. It helps protect equipment from rusting as well.

Lastly, weather strips are easy to install. The whole setup has all the essentials you need such as user instructions, retainers, brush and door seals as well as screws.

However, if you’re not feeling confident doing it yourself, having an expert install the weather stripping for you ensures an airtight and rodent-proof garage door.

How to get rid of mice in the garage

What do you do if your garage has already been infiltrated by mice? Well, there are ways that could help you get rid of them.

You see, mice are 85% accurate when it comes to identifying scents. You can use their sensitive noses against them by utilizing things they hate to smell. Let’s see what we can use.

Vinegar and cotton balls

The pungent smell of vinegar makes it an ideal candidate to repel mice. Here’s how you use this condiment to get rid of rodents:

  • Mix one-part white vinegar and one-part water.
  • Drop a handful of cotton balls into the mix.
  • Let the cotton balls soak for a few minutes.
  • Place the cotton balls in areas with mouse droppings.

Citronella Plants and Candles

While citronellas are commonly used against mosquitoes, you can also use them to keep mice away. You can buy a couple of citronella plants and let them sit nicely in your garage. If you can’t find one, try looking for citronella-scented candles.

Regardless of what’s available, the strong lemony scent of citronellas is something that rodents strongly dislike.

Cat’s Scent

Adopting a cat is another way to get rid of mice. Rodents will end their overdue vacation in your garage the moment they smell the cat’s pheromones.

However, if you can’t have a feline at home, try asking a friend with cats to let you have some used cat litter. Put the used litter in a container and then place it in your garage.

Final Thoughts

So there it is: how to keep mice out of your garage. While you can get rid of these pests in many ways, it’s always best to prevent them from getting in. Prevention will keep your family safe from diseases associated with mice.

You’ve seen that using weather stripping can counter these tiny unwanted occupants. Just make sure that the weather strip is solid enough and that it has been installed with utmost care.

Get in Touch for More Info on Rodent Proof Weather Stripping

At Toronto Garage Door Repair we have many years experience helping homeowners and businesses to rodent proof their garages and keep mice out! If you would like to learn more about how rodent proof weather stripping can solve your pest problem then get in touch with us today. Give us a call or fill out our contact form and our mobile management team will be happy to provide you with a FREE QUOTE for mouse proof weather stripping installation.

Contact us to schedule your free consultation