How to Get Rid of Mice in the Kitchen

Whether you spotted one scurrying across the counter or discovered droppings in your cupboards, finding a mouse in your kitchen can turn your day upside down in an instant.

Here's the good news: Getting rid of mice in your kitchen is completely possible when you know what to do. In this guide, we’ll walk you through identifying the problem, avoiding common mistakes, and using the best methods to eliminate mice for good.

Signs You Have Mice in the Kitchen

Concerned that you might have a mouse in the kitchen? Here are some common signs:

• Droppings: Mouse droppings look like small, dark grains of rice with pointed ends. Most people find them in kitchen cabinets, along baseboards, inside drawers, and near food storage areas.
• Gnaw marks: Mice have teeth that constantly grow, and they need to chew to keep them trimmed. Look for gnaw marks on cereal boxes, cracker packages, and any food stored in thin plastic or paper. 
• Scratching or scurrying sounds: Mice are most active at night, so you might hear tiny feet running inside walls, above ceilings, or inside cabinets when the house is quiet.
• Greasy rub marks: Mice's fur picks up dirt and oil, which can leave marks on surfaces like walls and baseboards as they run around.
• Nests: You might find nests made from shredded paper, fabric, or insulation in rarely-opened cabinets, behind appliances, and in storage areas.
• Strange smells: Mouse urine gives off a musty, stale odor that grows stronger as more mice move in.
  

Actual sightings are the most obvious sign. If you see a mouse in your kitchen during the day, it usually means you have a larger infestation. Mice are normally nocturnal and avoid humans, so daytime sightings suggest overcrowding.

How to Get Rid of Mice in Kitchen Cabinets

Did you spot a mouse in your kitchen cupboard? That’s not abnormal!

Since your cabinets are dark, quiet, and full of food, they make the perfect hiding spots for hungry mice. Here's how to get rid of mice in kitchen cabinets:

1. Empty everything from the cabinets so you can see the full extent of the problem.
2. Throw away food that may have been contaminated. Remember: when in doubt, throw it out. Getting sick from potentially contaminated food isn’t worth it.
3. Use a disinfectant cleaner to wipe down all cabinet surfaces, paying special attention to corners and crevices where droppings might hide. Wear gloves and a mask to avoid direct contact with mouse waste, which can carry diseases.
4. Check the backs of cabinets for holes or gaps, especially around pipes or wiring, to identify entry points. Once you’ve found them, use steel wool to plug small holes, then seal the area around them with caulk or foam. For larger gaps, use wire mesh or metal sheeting.
5. Place snap traps or glue boards along the back and sides of cabinets where you've seen evidence. Remember to position them along the edges, where mice prefer to run. 
6. If you’re using a snap trap, be sure to use the right bait. Mice love peanut butter, chocolate, dried fruit, or hazelnut spread. Only use a small dab on the trigger. 
7. Once you've eliminated the mice, transfer all food to airtight containers made of glass, metal, or heavy-duty plastic to prevent another infestation.
8. Even after catching your kitchen mouse, leave traps out to continue to monitor the situation.
9. H2: Common Mistakes When Trying to Get Rid of Mice

Understanding how to catch a mouse is just part of the solution. Avoiding the following mistakes will help make catching the mouse in your kitchen easier.

• Not using enough traps: The best way to get rid of mice in your kitchen is to use multiple traps. Maximize your catch by setting between five and ten traps in different locations.
• Poor trap placement. Mice travel along walls and edges, so placing traps against baseboards, in corners, and behind appliances will maximize your catch.
• Not identifying entry points. Catching mice without sealing how they get in means new mice will keep coming. 
• Leaving food sources available. Securing existing food sources will make your bait more attractive to a hungry mouse.
• Giving up too soon. Sometimes, catching a mouse takes time. Stay consistent, and don't remove the trap until you’ve caught it.
• Not sticking to a cleaning schedule. A dirty kitchen with crumbs and spills will continue attracting mice, no matter how many you catch.
• Using poison in the kitchen. No one wants poison around their food! Plus, if mice eat the poison and then die in your walls, it can create a terrible smell and an even bigger problem. Non-toxic traps, such as Catchmaster®’s glue boards, are a much safer option for kitchens.
• Not checking traps regularly. Be sure to check traps regularly so you can dispose of any trapped mice immediately. 
• Using the wrong traps. Before picking a trap, make sure you know exactly what you need. While mice and rats are very similar, they require slightly different traps. Knowing the difference between a rat and a mouse will help you choose the trap you need.

The Most Effective Methods to Get Rid of Mice in the Kitchen

Use the strategies outlined above and Catchmaster's professional-grade pest control solutions to put an end to your rodent problem for good. Getting started is easy. Simply set multiple traps in high-activity areas, seal entry points, and secure all food sources to begin reclaiming your kitchen.

Don't let a mouse in your kitchen ruin another meal. Trust the mouse-stopping power™ of Catchmaster’s pest control solutions, just like the professionals have for over 70 years.

Reclaim your kitchen. Become a Catchmaster today!