Can’t Stand Mice in Your Garden? Try These Proven Tricks!
There’s one thing I love more than my morning coffee: my backyard garden. Over the years, I have done my best to transform this space into an inviting and relaxing place full of flowers, vegetables, and herbs.
Last spring, as I was sipping my coffee, admiring the tulips I recently planted, I noticed something odd. The soil around my bulbs was disrupted, and I also found some holes dotted in the ground. At first, I didn’t think of mice. I was sure it was the work of a curious squirrel or a hungry bird. But as I inspected further, I found the unmistakable signs. There were a lot of tiny droppings, chewed-up leaves, and a network of shallow tunnels running through my flower beds.
The tiny, uninvited guests had turned my backyard into their personal playground, and I didn’t even notice.
I worked a lot for my garden to look that way, and I couldn’t really think of an eco-friendly and effective solution when I first met the problem. Over the next months, I had to learn about these little creature’s habits, what attracts them, and most importantly, how to get rid of them.
If you are reading this, you might have had a similar experience. I’m sorry, but making these little uninvited guests leave will not be easy. Maybe you’ve noticed nibbled plants or strange signs across your nation. No matter the case, please remember that you are not alone. Mice are a very common problem for gardeners and homeowners. They’re attracted to the food, shelter, and water our gardens provide.
The problem is that they won’t want to leave once they’re settled.
8 Proven Ways to Get Rid of Mice in Your Backyard
1. Seal off their entry points
It sounds simple, right? Well, let me tell you from my own experience that it can be extremely hard to find the little spots where they get in. It took me weeks to understand where their gaps were. Trust me, these little creatures are experts at finding hidden entry points. I spent a lot of afternoons trying to follow their scratching noises, and they led me to their tunnels. I was able to see where the plants they loved to chew, but I couldn’t see exactly how they came in and how they left.
After days of failure, I started examining the base of my garden shed. Then, I found a small gap between the wooden frame and the ground. It didn’t look like much, but it was definitely enough for a mouse to slip through. Next, I checked my fence line and discovered a few loose boards with tiny cracks. Can you believe that even the foundation of my house had a few gaps near the utility lines? They were basically living with me.
I really love every little creature, but I don’t want to lie… I was terrified. I didn’t want to kill them, but I also didn’t want to let them live in my place. Does it make sense? I am sure you get me right, especially if you are dealing with the same problem.
I wasn’t afraid they would attack me or something like that. I was literally terrified of their appearance. I couldn’t believe they walked all over my gardening tools and the things I deposited in my backyard. The idea of having them around felt gross to me.
I sealed all the openings with steel wool, caulk, and hardware cloth. Steel wool is really effective because mice can’t chew through it, and it’s very easy to stuff into small gaps. However, for larger openings, it’s better to use hardware cloth, a sturdy mesh that can be cut to size and secured with staples.
In my situation, caulk was very handy for sealing cracks in walls or foundations. It took me some days to complete the job and secure my space, but it was totally worth it. Within a few days, I noticed a significant drop in mouse activity. I can’t explain the feeling I had. I finally took some rest and reevaluated the situation. I kept working and going further because I knew this solution would not last forever. I wanted to make sure that all of the mice would be gone.
2. Remove their food sources
Mice are very smart creatures, and they would never be interested in your home without food. They are always on the hunt for their next meal, and unfortunately, our gardens provide a feast. It took me a little time to understand that my backyard was basically a mouse buffet, but I knew that I needed to make some significant changes.
One of the first things I did was to address my bird feeders. I love watching and having birds in my garden, but all the spilled seeds attract mice. I added a tray underneath the birds’ feeder to catch any stray seeds. The method worked perfectly in my case, and I noticed that the mouse signs were slowly but surely disappearing from under my trees.
Next, I tackled my compost pile. While composting is extremely beneficial for any garden, it can be a great magnet for mice, especially if it’s not managed properly. I started burying food scarps deeper into the pile and avoided adding meat or dairy, which are especially appealing to rodents. I also habitually harvested my vegetables as soon as they ripened rather than leaving them on the plants.
I have apple trees in my garden, and the fallen fruit was another issue. The only way to remove the fruit was to collect the tree daily.
Oh, and I almost forgot about my dog’s food bowl, which also presented a problem in my case. Since I discovered that my backyard was full of mice, I started feeding my sweet dog indoors and only putting his bowl outside during meals.
I want to be extremely sincere and tell you that all these changes made my garden cleaner and more organized. Although I am not happy because my garden has become infested, I am really grateful that I was able to find a new and better way of taking care of it.
3. Use natural repellents
All the people who love gardening are always looking for ways to work with nature rather than against it. So, after I experienced the problem with mice, I looked for natural repellents that could have helped me to get rid of them. I discovered that mice have a sensitive sense of smell, and certain scents can immediately drive them away. Peppermint oil rapidly became my best friend and my go-to solution. I soaked cotton balls in pure peppermint oil and placed them strategically around my garden beds near entry points and even inside my shed.
The strong, minty aroma was pleasant, and the good news is that it made all the mice run away. I refreshed the cotton balls every few weeks to maintain the scent. You can also plant mint in your garden, but be careful because it is incredibly invasive. The best option was to purchase some potted mint plants and place them near areas where I’d seen mouse activity.
Mint is not the only natural ingredient that keeps mice away; garlic and lavender are also very effective. So, I used them, too. As you can see, I tried every single one of these methods simultaneously. I was really doing my best to make them leave. I planted garlic near my vegetable garden and tucked some lavender brushes near my flowers. These beautiful plants not only helped me a lot with the mice but also added beauty to my boring setup.
I read that sprinkling crushed garlic cloves around the yard is also good, but I haven’t tried this method yet. Who knows? Maybe I’ll need it in the future. So, I wanted to write it down here and transform this article into a guide for all of us.
4. Create a barrier
Believe it or not, one of the most effective ways I found to deter mice was by creating physical barriers they couldn’t easily cross. Mice love soft, loose soil where they can dig tunnels and hide. So, I wanted to make my garden less inviting. I lined the perimeter of my raised beds and flower borders with gravel. I chose small and sharp-edged stones because mice dislike walking on rough surfaces. It’s extremely uncomfortable for their paws. I also added a layer of rocks around the base of my shed and compost bin, which were hotspots for mouse activity.
For added protection, I even mixed in some crushed oyster shells, which are more uncomfortable for mice to walk on. I am proud to say that the final result looked amazing, and besides its benefits against mice, it was also very aesthetically pleasing. The gravel I added in strategic parts of my backyard gave my garden beds a polished look. I noticed significant improvements in a few weeks because the mice stopped digging in those areas. So, if you are dealing with persistent rodents, I totally recommend you try this method.
You’ll be surprised by the results. The best thing about it is that it’s a long-term solution that requires minimal maintenance. Oh, and let’s not forget that it’s a great way to add texture and interest to your garden design.
Speaking about decorative tips and tricks. Would you be interested in learning more about how you can decorate your backyard for spring? Let us know in the comment section below, and I’ll ensure the next articles will respect the topics you are interested in.
5. Set up humane traps
At some point, natural repellents and barriers weren’t enough to solve my problem, so I tried humane traps. I was hesitant at first because I didn’t want to harm the mice in any way, but I also needed them out of my garden. After some research, I found some live-catch traps, which allow you to capture mice without injuring them.
So, I filled some high-quality traps with peanut butter, a favorite treat for mice. I placed the traps in the area where the mice were most active. For example, the one that I placed near the compost bin was, by far, the most effective one. Within a day, I caught my first mouse. I carefully released it in a wooden area, far from my house, ensuring it had plenty of resources to survive.
I never considered hurting the mice in any way because I knew they didn’t really want to bother me or scare me. They were just trying to stay alive and find a good place to live. I am getting emotional, thinking that I have to get rid of them, but at the same time, I feel relieved. Living with rodents was an incredibly stressful period in my life. I was barely sleeping through the night because I kept thinking that they would find a way into my bedroom and attack me. I KNOW it sounds silly, but I love being completely honest with you!
Over the next few weeks, I caught and relocated several more mice. Specifically, I used to catch at least once a day. I learned that the key to success with humane traps is consistency. You need to check the traps regularly, at least once daily, to ensure the mice aren’t stranded for too long.
Remember to properly clean the traps after each use to remove any lingering scents that might deter future captures. Although this method requires much more effort, it’s a truly effective way to deal with a mouse problem. Plus, it gave me peace of mind knowing that I wasn’t hurting those little creatures.
6. Keep your yard tidy
It’s extremely important to clean your yard regularly. Mice are extremely attracted to clutter because it gives them places to hide and build nests. I started by tackling the obvious problem areas: piles of leaves, tracks of firewood, and unused gardening supplies. I moved my firewood off the ground and stored it on a raised rack, making it harder for mice to access. I also invested in some really cool storage bins for my gardening supplies.
I had a great time organizing everything, and I recommend purchasing many transparent bins. It will help you stay organized, while you’ll be able to see your things and know exactly where they are stored in case you need an item immediately.
One of the best ways to keep your garden tidy is to avoid unwanted guests. Remember that mice are a great excuse to give your backyard a makeover.
7. Install ultrasonic repellents
Have you ever heard of these? My friends told me to purchase some ultrasonic repellents, so I did. Unfortunately, they weren’t very effective in my case. All the other natural methods worked significantly better. But even though these repellents aren’t a standalone solution, they’re a great addition to any household. All you need to do is place them where mice are the most active and adjust the settings to cover a wide range.
I didn’t believe that a small device emitting high-frequences would keep mice away, but it’s better to try it. Maybe it also contributed to keeping the mice away from my backyard. I just saw more rapid improvements after I used the natural solutions, but I don’t think they are worth less.
8. Encourage natural predators
Last but not least, I discovered that mice have plenty of natural predators, and by encouraging all of them to visit my backyard, I finally managed to keep them away from me and my beautiful space. I started by installing an owl box in a tall tree near my garden. Owls are known for being nocturnal hunters and can catch several mice in a single night. It took a few weeks for the owls to find the box, but they became regular visitors once they did.
I even adopted a new furry friend, a sweet little cat, and let her explore my backyard. Even though she doesn’t eat the mice, they hate the smell of a cat and run away. So, it was a perfect solution to my problem.
I didn’t really know how much I love cats until I got Maui. She is fantastic, and I don’t know why I didn’t consider adopting a cat before. The good news is that she has also become our dog’s best friend. So, what can I say? We are now a big and happy family.
Are you looking for more gardening content? This article, “6 Toxic Plants to Watch Out For in Your Backyard,” is for you!
