How To Keep Mice Out Of Shed

Mice are a common pest in the home, but they can also cause problems in the garden shed, garage, or any other small outbuilding. If you’ve found mice in your shed, there are several things you can do to keep them out.

In today’s article, we’re going to cover the best methods, products, and practices you can implement in your pest control routine for how to keep mice out of shed.

But before we begin, let’s take a moment to talk more about mice so you can better understand their habits, habitat, and what they are attracted to so you understand why you may be dealing with them in the first place.

Let’s get started!

What You Should Know About Mice

Mice have short lifespans of only a year, but they are prolific reproducers.

Most of us already have a good idea of what mice are, but it’s important to be able to identify the specific types of rodents you are dealing with when it comes to how to keep mice out of shed so you can implement the most strategic forms of pest control.

So, what are mice? Mice are small rodents that belong to the family Muridae. There are over 30 different species of mice in the world, with many more subspecies within each species. Some common types of mice include house mice (Mus musculus), field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus).

There are several types of mice that commonly infest homes, structures, and businesses in the United States. These mice include:

House Mice:

House mice are the most common type of mice in America. They live almost anywhere where there is food available to them, and this can include garden sheds, inside houses, in restaurants, and in other similar buildings where they can find shelter from severe weather conditions, protection from predators, and a good source of both food and water.

A house mouse has a relatively short lifespan of only about one year, but in that time they are capable of reproducing rapidly, leading to severe infestations if homeowners are not careful.

Deer Mice:

The deer mouse is native to North America, though it has been introduced throughout the world. The species is well adapted to human habitation and can be found in urban areas. The deer mouse is a small rodent with long ears, a long tail, and large eyes. Its body grows to between 3 1/2 and 6 inches long, including a tail of 1 1/2 to 2 inches. It weighs between 1/4 and 1 ounce.

Deer mice are active at night, as well as during the day when temperatures are not too hot or cold for them. They prefer habitats that offer cover from predators such as rocks or logs, but will also choose homes, garages, and sheds if conditions are ideal.

The Western Harvest Mouse

The Western Harvest mouse is a small brown rodent with a black stripe along its back. It has large ears and eyes, and its tail is shorter than its body length. The Western Harvest Mouse has a long lifespan for a mouse (about two years). It lives in grassy areas with tall vegetation where it can hide from predators and find food. This mouse eats seeds, leaves, fruits, and insects.

The White-Footed Mouse

The White-Footed Mouse is a small rodent with brown fur and white feet. It’s about the size of a house mouse and has large ears, eyes, and a long tail. The White-Footed Mouse lives in forests, fields, and grasslands in North America. It eats seeds, nuts, berries, fruits, and insects, and is not as common as some of the other mice on our list to enter garden sheds. Still, it is possible for all of the above mice to be the reason you are searching for how to keep mice out of shed.

You might also be wondering about your safety when it comes to dealing with these mice. So, are mice dangerous? And why do you have mice in your shed at all?

Keep reading to find out.

Are Mice Dangerous?

Though small, mice can be dangerous due to the diseases they can carry and spread.

Many people are fearful of mice, and while those of us who are not afraid of mice may snicker at this concept, the truth is that mice can be costly and even dangerous if we’re not careful.

When it comes to being destructive, mice are pros. They have prominent incisors that grow continuously throughout their life. These sharp teeth allow mice to chew through hard materials like wood and plastics.

This means that it can cause damage to your property and home simply by chewing. In fact, mice have been known to chew electrical wires inside walls, leading to fires and other dangerous situations for people. Mice may also chew through furniture or walls, and if they build nests inside our homes these nests can lead to a terrible odor. Most concerningly, mice can carry diseases.

In fact, mice are known carriers of many dangerous diseases like salmonella, which can cause food poisoning in humans if they consume food items contaminated with mouse droppings or urine.

Mice are also known to carry bacteria such as E. coli and Listeria which cause serious infections in humans. Mice have even been found to carry Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Murine Typhus which can cause serious infections in humans.

The HPS virus is carried by deer mice, white-footed mice, cotton rats, and rice rats. The disease is most commonly found in the Southwestern United States, but it has been reported throughout the country. The Murine Typhus virus is carried by wild rodents and it is spread through contact with their urine or feces or fleas that have bitten them.

Because mice can be harmful to our property and our health, it’s important to implement routine pest control methods to keep them at bay.

This is true whether you are dealing with a mouse in your home or if you are dealing with how to keep mice out of shed.

Why You Might Have Mice In Your Shed

Sheds like this one provide the perfect place for mice to hide out from predators.

Mice are a common problem for gardeners and shed owners, but how do mice get into sheds?

Mice are expert climbers. They can climb up the sides of sheds using their claws and tails to grip on tightly while they scamper up. Some sheds have wire mesh around them to keep mice out, but this is not as effective as you might think because mice can squeeze through incredibly small gaps in certain types of mesh.

If this happens, it’s only a matter of time before they get into your shed and start chewing on anything they can find!

If you’ve discovered a furry intruder in your garden shed, you’re not alone. Mice commonly find refuge in garden sheds because these structures often offer them a source of food and shelter.

In fact, garden sheds offer the perfect protection from predators. Sheds make warm places for mice to nest during the winter months and cool places for them to hide during the summer months. And since many people use their sheds as gardens or workshops, it’s likely they have all sorts of equipment that attracts mice.

These attractants could include cardboard boxes, paper, seeds, watering cans, tools, and more. All of these items combined can make excellent nesting materials, food sources, and water sources for mice.

You may not be able to see any evidence of mice in your shed at first glance, but there are some telltale signs that they’ve been around:

Droppings — Mice leave droppings wherever they go. These droppings look like elongated black seeds or pellets and can be found anywhere from the floor to shelves or cupboards.

Nests — You may find small nests made out of insulation or other materials near heat sources such as heaters or radiators. These nests tend to be messy and full of lint and hair.

Urine stains — This is another sign that mice have been in your shed. Urine stains will look like rust spots on metal surfaces and can also sometimes smell of ammonia if the urine has dried up for a while before you find it.

Chew marks — You may notice chew marks on cardboard boxes or other materials stored inside the shed. Mice leave tiny holes in paper products as well as chewed-through corners on bags of dog food or cat litter that may have been stored in the shed before they got there. Mice have sharp teeth and mouths designed for chewing through wood and other materials, so even if they don’t chew through something, their teeth marks will still be visible once they’ve moved on from an area.

Mouse sightings — And last but not least, if you physically see a mouse in your shed, chances are it’s time to look into how to keep mice out of shed. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at some tips and tricks from experts.

How To Keep Mice Out Of Shed – Best Practices

Keeping your shed clean and tidy can help keep mice at bay, as can ensuring that it is properly sealed.

Keeping mice out of your shed is important not only for your health and the structure of your shed, but also to protect your belongings. Remember, mice can cause serious damage to your property and even spread disease. Luckily, there are many ways to keep mice out of your shed, including repellents, traps, and home remedies.

Poisons or Chemical-Based Repellents

There are several forms of poisons or repellents you can use including natural repellents or chemical-based repellents to keep mice at bay. Using any of these products will reduce the chances of a mouse infestation, but they will not eliminate it completely. If you have small children or pets that play in or near the shed, you may choose to forgo using poisons or chemicals as they could be harmful to them.

Natural Repellents

There are many natural repellents you can use for how to keep mice out of shed including the use of home remedies, essential oils, and even kitty litter. Using natural methods for rodent control is often safe and effective, though it may not eliminate rodents completely without consistency and dedication.

Traps

If you have a mouse infestation in your shed, it may be time to set traps in conjunction with repellents and other forms of rodent control. You can use a snap trap or glue trap, or you can use a live trap to catch and release the pests elsewhere.

There are several types of traps you might consider when it comes to how to keep mice out of shed, including snap traps, catch and release traps, and glue traps.

Professional Pest Control Methods

If you feel that you can’t figure out how to keep mice out of shed on your own, it may be wise to contact a professional pest control expert in your area for help. Of course, before you decide to go this route, we suggest taking a look at some of the best products for how to keep mice out of shed below.

Keep reading.

Best Products For How To Keep Mice Out Of Shed

Keeping mice out of your shed takes a combination of tactics.

There are many different products you can use for how to keep mice out of shed, and you may want to try a few until you find the product that works best for you. When you are going about choosing the best product, however, it’s important to do your research.

Be sure to look up the products in question and read the reviews. We also recommend considering your lifestyle, the severity of your mouse infestation, and whether or not you have children or pets nearby that may accidentally get into the product you put into place for rodent removal.

If you’re not sure where to begin looking for the best products for how to keep mice out of shed, don’t worry. We have listed some of the top-rated products for you to consider below.

ZeroPest Ultrasonic Pest Repeller

No products found.

If you’re looking for a natural method for how to get rid of mice in shed, you might consider using an ultrasonic pest repellent like the ZeroPest Ultrasonic Pest Repeller above. This product uses high-frequency sound waves to keep mice from entering your shed. The repeller can be used on its own or in conjunction with other pest control methods.

To use the ultrasonic device, simply plug it into an electrical outlet in areas where you wish to keep pests from coming around. The device works well not only for how to keep mice out of shed, but also for other pests like rats, roaches, spiders, flies, mosquitoes, and more.

Stuff-Fit Copper Mesh

No products found.

Sheds are often made from wood which mice can easily chew through, but there are ways to stop them from doing so. The most effective way is to fit a rodent-proof door that has been made from copper mesh or wire mesh. Not only will this prevent rodents from getting into your shed, but it will also keep insects like bees and wasps out too!

The best way to do this is by installing a mesh-like the above Stuff-Fit Copper Mesh. This mesh comes complete with everything you need to build your own rodent-proof shed door.

TomCat Rodent Repellent

No products found.

Tomcat rodent repellent contains a proprietary blend of ingredients that are safe for people and animals but will send mice packing.

The product works by creating an unpleasant odor that mice and rats hate. The smell comes from peppermint oil, which is an ingredient found in many over-the-counter products used to repel bugs. This spray can be sprayed directly on cracks and crevices where you think that mice may be entering your shed.

Best Mouse Traps For How To Keep Mice Out Of Shed

Mice are crafty little climbers, so special steps should be taken to protect your shed at all heights.

As we mentioned above, many people find that traps work well for rodent control. With that being said, mouse traps will not eliminate rodents completely and they certainly will not keep mice from coming back into your garden shed.

When using traps, we suggest using them as a form of monitoring so you can keep track of mice if they do come back. There are many different types of rodent traps you can use to help keep an eye on mice that may be coming and going from your shed. These types of traps include live traps, snap traps, and baited traps that are laced with toxic poison that kills the rodent upon ingestion.

We have listed a few options below for you to consider for how to keep mice out of shed.

Pro-Catcher Mouse Trap

No products found.

The Pro-Catcher Mouse Snap Trap is designed with a collapsible trigger that springs when the mouse steps on it. The trap will then close around the mouse, killing it instantly.

You can set up this trap in just minutes and then let it go to work. The trap works best if you place it near objects that provide covers such as boxes, barrels, or large pieces of wood. The above order includes six mouse traps, and each mouse trap is reusable.

Tarzan Store Catch and Release Mouse Traps

No products found.

The Tarzan Store Catch and Release Mouse Traps are an environmentally-friendly way to keep mice out of your shed, and they are even safe for the mouse you are trying to remove. These mouse traps work by using a spring-loaded mechanism that snaps the door shut when a mouse goes inside. The trap does not kill the mouse but instead allows you to remove the mouse from your shed and release the mouse back into the wild.

The Tarzan Store Catch and Release Mouse Traps come in packs of 10 and have been designed to be used in sheds, garages, or anywhere else that you need to keep mice away from your belongings.

DIY Methods You Can Use For How To Keep Mice Out Of Shed

Mice are sensitive and can be repelled with a variety of household ingredients.

Along with using top-rated products for how to keep mice out of shed, you might also want to try your hand at some home remedies. Some of the best home remedies and recipes for how to repel mice include the use of natural ingredients like:

• Bay Leaves
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Cayenne Pepper
• Chili Powder
• Peppermint Oil
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Mothballs
• Kitty Litter
• And Vinegar

Let’s take a look at some common recipes you can use for rodent control using some of the above household ingredients.

How to use essential oils to repel mice

Essential oils are a great way to keep mice away from your shed and home. You can use essential oils either by making a spray or simply by putting some drops on cotton balls and placing these cotton balls around your shed.

To make your own essential oil rodent spray, simply combine 15 to 20 drops of essential oil like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, or citrus oil into two cups of water. You can add a dash of cayenne pepper for extra power. Spray this product liberally around areas you have noticed rodent activity for how to keep mice out of the shed.

How to use mothballs to repel mice

Mothballs can also be used as a repellent for mice as they contain naphthalene, which is toxic to both humans and animals. It is important that you do not handle mothballs with bare hands because they can cause skin irritation and other health problems if they are ingested by children or pets.

Mothballs may not be as effective as some other methods when it comes to how to keep mice out of shed.

With all that noted, mothballs can work in conjunction with other forms of rodent control for how to keep mice out of shed. To use mothballs, simply place them around your shed where you have noticed mice to deter the pests.

How to use cayenne pepper to repel mice

Cayenne pepper is another essential oil that can be used in place of peppermint oil for repelling mice and other pests. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper works as an irritant, irritating the mucous membranes around the nose and eyes of mice, causing them to flee.

To use this method, sprinkle the cayenne pepper around the perimeter of your shed or garage and on top of the floorboards inside. You should be able to see the results almost immediately as the mice will start avoiding areas that have been treated with cayenne pepper.

How to make a vinegar spray to repel mice

Another way to keep mice from getting into your shed is by making a vinegar spray with water and essential oils. This mixture acts as both a repellent and an irritant, which will make your shed less attractive to mice in general.

To create this spray, mix one part of water with two parts of vinegar in a spray bottle, then add 10 drops each of eucalyptus oil and lavender oil before mixing well again. Then spray this solution around areas where you have noticed rodent activity.

A vinegar spray like the one above will also help repel other pests like spiders, beetles, earwigs, and other pesky insects.

How To Keep Mice Out Of Shed – Let’s Sum It Up

Keep your shed sealed and tidy to help keep mice at bay.

When mice get into your shed, they tend to make a mess and cause destruction. They also leave droppings behind that are not only unsightly, but can even cause health problems to you and your loved ones.

Understanding how to keep mice out of shed is important, but so is taking the proper steps to ensure mice do not return.

A routine form of pest control year-round means being dedicated to rodent control, and it may also mean changing some habits.

Along with using the listed products and home remedies for how to get rid of mice in shed, let’s also take a look at some expert opinions on steps to keep these pests from coming back.

First, remember what mice are attracted to. This will help you determine what you have in your shed that is attracting them there in the first place. If it is food or seeds the mice are after, work to store potential food sources in proper containers. Don’t leave pet food bowls out at night, dispose of garbage properly, and store bird seed or other types of seed in airtight containers or jars that mice cannot chew through.

If you have fruit trees in your garden or growing around your shed, be sure they are protected from pests with wire mesh or netting. While fruit trees may be outside your shed, if they are in close proximity to your shed they could make your shed more inviting if not properly maintained.

It’s also important to keep clutter under control in your shed. If there are piles of boxes and bags in the shed, these can become perfect nesting sites for mice or other animals.

Last, be sure you are keeping your shed well maintained. You should seal any cracks or crevices around doors and windows with caulking or sealant, especially if you have an older shed with gaps around doorways and windows where mice could get into it easily without much effort at all. This includes cracks around the bottom where water may come through during heavy rainstorms.

If you are working on how to keep mice out of shed, chances are that a combination of the above methods and products should help you do just that.

Just be sure to be consistent and patient while working on your pest problem! Best of luck and thanks for reading!