Tips to Keep Mice and Other Animals from Invading Your Garage

Even though it might seem harmless and adorable to allow rodents to take up residence in your garage, it’s actually not a great idea. These “cute” little critters are capable of some pretty destructive things. For starters, mice can easily chew through garage door opener wires, along with wood, plastic, and more.

They might look adorable, but mice can do a lot of damage in a house.

Mice are known to reproduce relatively quickly if they find a good spot to nest with ample food. The gestation period of mice is about 19-21 days. Female mice have litters of three to 14 pups at a time. They’re mature in just 6 weeks, which factors out to over 5,000 mice in one year from just two. That’s a problem you want to avoid.

You don’t have to go straight to the exterminator, though. We understand that you might want to try all your options first, and we’ve listed the ones for pest-proofing your garage below.

In this process, there are two things to keep in mind: organization and insulation. There are several categories here, of course, which we’ll get back to.

First, If You Already Have Mice in the Garage…

Do you already have mice in the garage? Before you mouse-proof and pest-proof it, you’ll want to get rid of the ones that are already there.

Don’t like poison and traps? Maybe you don’t want to harm your own pets?

Or perhaps you just love animals and don’t like the idea of killing the mice to eliminate the problem. Fortunately, you have options.

You can take advantage of the seasons here—mice are likely to live outside during the summer months, and especially if their food supply is cut off. They’re also more likely to stay away when there are signs of a lot of activity from humans. Here are some animal-friendly options that will help you encourage their return to nature.

An option for those who think they have a single mouse is a humane mouse trap. This will not harm the mouse at all. Just put peanut butter in one end and wait for the mouse to go inside and get trapped. It’s best to release it at least a mile from your house.

Mice can infiltrate anywhere, even places you don't expect them to.

Mice can, and will, infiltrate anywhere, including the most unexpected places.

Do you have a cat that you can let in the garage? That could be a good way to eliminate the mice and let your cat improve their hunting skills.

To deal with the mice that are already living in your garage, you can take advantage of their keen sense of smell. There are some things mice can’t even stand, such as peppermint, white vinegar, and more.

Get some cotton balls and soak them in peppermint oil. Then, place them all over the garage in spaces where mice might want to hide.

Of course, this is not a permanent solution. The mice will return eventually unless you take steps to prevent them from getting in. It’s time to pest-proof your space.

Throw Out the “Welcome” Wagon

The first thing that you’ll want to do is create an uninviting space for them. Cut off food supplies and organize the garage as best you can.

Get rid of clutter and organize what’s left.

Mice love to hide so if there’s a lot of clutter, you’re essentially giving them the perfect home.

Keep dog food, birdseed, and other food in sealed containers.

Mice have to eat constantly to keep up with their metabolism. Anything can become food to a mouse, including trash, grass seeds, and more. It’s best to keep all potential food items sealed and out of reach.

Don’t store your trash in the garage.

Trash is another source of food. Not only that, but it attracts pets like mice and others from the smell alone. Try to use secured lids that you can leave outdoors away from the garage or house entrance to deter critters.

Store firewood outside when you can.

Firewood is another great spot for nesting, so if you’ve got it indoors, they’ll find it.

Sweep the floor regularly.

Not only will this make the space look better, but it will give you the chance to check the corners and walls for cracks and crevices that could allow entry. You should also inspect the exterior walls.

Now for prevention tips…

Now that you’ve gotten rid of the mice and have cut out all of their options for food and shelter, it’s time to insulate the space. Follow these tips.

Do you have trees with branching overhanging the garage? Cut them.

This will prevent squirrels from jumping down onto the roof. Squirrels can jump as far as 9 feet horizontally, so the branches need to be as far away as possible.

Someone isolating a wall with mineral wool.

You’ll also want to insulate the walls to prevent any critters from nesting in them.

Wall Insulation

When you use insulation, whether it’s foam or another form, it will prevent small animals like mice and rodents from living in the walls and make it more difficult to get into the space.

We always recommend polyurethane spray foam to insulate your garage walls. This will fill the walls to ensure that mice don’t nest in them. Plus, this foam offers better insulating properties than standard spray foam.

Spray foam isn’t a rigid insulation source, and the rodents could get through if they really wanted to. However, it’s got no source of food, so they aren’t interested in it for the most part. They may try to use it for nesting, in some cases, but this isn’t as common.

Mice are known for their sweet tooth and polyurethane foam is fairly bitter. If they don’t like the taste, they will stop gnawing at the material, even if only for nesting. There are also some foams available that have a built-in rodent repellant.

Fill the Cracks

Small animals like mice and other rodents can’t gnaw through aluminum or steel. They are capable of chewing through plastic, wood, and other materials if they are given enough time and are determined enough. That’s why you must keep an eye on the condition of your garage floor and walls.

If you aren’t very handy, you could always use spray foam to cover small holes. However, it’ll be important to make sure the entire hole is covered.

It’s not as much about the hardness of the insulation when trying to stop mice—these pests often chew on hard materials and electrical wires. What you want is a material that will fill the holes fully so there’s little, if any room, for anything to get through.

If your garage door has been the victim of damage and has holes or isn’t level, it might be time for an upgrade.

What about changing the garage door?

It can be a great idea to change your garage door. There is a lot to think about, though. What are you using the garage for? What matches your home? In this specific case, you’ll also want a door that deters rodents and other invasions.

Although they might look great, you should avoid wooden garage doors. Mice and squirrels can get through wood if they really want to. Stick with aluminum or metal for best results.

Choose a door that has good insulation, too, so that you can prevent mice from nesting in the door itself.

We use premium galvanized steel construction for rodent proofing. We also have insulated doors to discourage infiltration and nesting.

Check out the R-16 and R-12 models in our garage door collection, as well as the Standard+, Townships Collection, and Acadia 138. These are all made with polyurethane foam injected at high pressure which is a special insulator that will prevent rodents from nesting in the door.

A Standard+ door isolated with polyurethane foam.

In the image, you can see how we’ve insulated this R-16 door with durable polyurethane foam.

We tailor-make garage doors with premium weatherstripping and a custom finish. This ensures climate control while also keeping pests at bay.

Ready for a change?

If the problems with your rodent residents start at the garage door, consider a new one from the team at SGM Garage Doors. Our team of experts will gladly help you find a great fit for your garage. You’ll also be able to reach us at 902-624-8993 or via our website.

Our premium doors offer high-quality solutions to fit every need, both in terms of their construction and their style. You can also create a unique model for your garage.

Get a free quotation via email for straightforward pricing and simple service.

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