How To Keep Mice Out Of Your Bed | Chem-Free Blog (2024)

How To Keep Mice Out Of Your Bed

How To Keep Mice Out Of Your Bed | Chem-Free Blog (1)

September 13, 2019

Category: Pest Control,

Anyone who has had the unpleasant experience of lying in bed, unable to relax because you can hear telltale scratching or squeaking sounds coming from a wall or ceiling nearby, knows the feeling of frantically wondering how to keep mice out of your bed. Fortunately, finding actual mouse droppings or other evidence of rodent activity among your sheets and blankets is rare. Mice and rats are far more likely to hang around your kitchen or your pets’ food and water bowls than in your bedroom, and they’ll almost certainly opt for building a nest in your walls over where you sleep. Mice actually prefer to avoid human contact and are rather shy creatures, so the chances of them snuggling up with you in bed is not likely.

Although finding mice in your bed is not a common phenomenon, there are a few things you can do to prevent mice from entering your bedroom:

  • Seal off any holes you may have in walls. Mice can sneak through the tiniest of cracks, so don’t miss any spots.
  • Stop snacking in bed. When mice come out, they are in search of food and water. Don’t let them find it in your room.
  • Keep your room clear of clutterso they don’t have areas to hide or nest.
  • Encourage your cat to sleep in your room. Cats give off a smell that mice register as predatory, and they will tend to avoid these pets when possible.

Even homeowners who restrict their snack habits to the kitchen know that when they spot a mouse or anything indicating mouse activity in the home, it’s time to get educated about these pests, including what attracts mice and rats to your home, what health risks these rodents pose to your family and what to do if you think you may have a mouse infestation on your hands. First, let’s address one of the most common questions homeowners ask—can mice climb up walls?

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Can Mice Climb Walls And Ceilings?

After finding evidence of mouse activity in high-up locations in their homes, many homeowners ask, “Can mice climb walls and ceilings?” While mice can’t defy gravity by crawling across the ceiling, like roaches can, evidence of mice in high-up places is proof that mice can, indeed, climb walls, at least to an extent. They can jump surprisingly far distances, and these rodents can climb walls that are textured or angled. They can also climb ropes and curtains with relative ease, which can be another way they can reach those high-up areas in your home.

Thus, a homeowner might have discovered mouse droppings on top of a cabinet, for example, or a mouse hole that is near the ceiling rather than at floor level. They might also find discolored, greasy tracks along the top of a wall that are the result of rodents traveling along crown molding, cabinetry or rafters, and rubbing their bodies against the wall as they go.

Another common question homeowners ask, many times in frustration, is why mice and rats chose to live in their home as opposed to someone else’s.

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What Attracts Mice And Rats To Your Home?

Many people who find evidence of rodents living or breeding in their homes, attics or garages wonder what attracts mice and rats to their living space and how to keep them away.

Some key reasons why rodents might enter your home include:

  • You haven’t tidied up in awhile.Mice are attracted to areas where people have left food out on counters or stovetops, neglected to clean up crumbs and allowed garbage cans to overflow. Mice aren’t picky eaters and are happy to eat anything you leave out.
  • There is water.Just as with food, mice need easy access to water in order to survive. Anyplace in your home where water accumulates, such as from leaky pipes or in pets’ water bowls, can attract mice and other pests in search of water.
  • It’s more comfortable than outside.Along with food and water, mice also need warm, comfortable shelter to build their nests, breed and thrive. Any cracks or holes in the exterior of your home are potential points of entry that could allow mice to get into your walls and, from there, into the interior of your living space. Mice are adept at squeezing through surprisingly tiny spaces. As a matter of fact, a full-grown mouse can fit through an opening as small as a dime.

While some people consider mice to be relatively harmless or even cute, these uninvited guests actually pose a real threat to our loved ones, including our pets. Mice are known to carry diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus that can potentially be serious for humans. Furthermore, the fleas and ticks that live on mice can transmit illnesses to humans such as Lyme disease. And, as tiny as they might be, mice can cause big problems when they infest a home. Like other rodents, mice must gnaw frequently to keep their continuously growing front teeth filed down, so they can cause extensive damage when they chew through drywall, PVC pipes or even electrical wiring. Their urine and feces can also contain harmful bacteria and viruses that might make people and pets ill. If not cleaned properly, these substances soak through floors and ceilings, resulting in property damage that is costly to remedy.

With the diseases that rodents can carry, you may be wondering what would happen if your cat ate one of these creatures.

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My Cat Ate A Mouse—Should I Be Worried?

While cats have a natural predatory instinct that has led to centuries of being used as natural pest control in people’s homes and barns, there is a downside to this practice: cats can actually contract diseases from the mice and rats they catch and eat. Hantavirus and toxoplasmosis are just two diseases mice can carry that can affect the cats that eat them. Cats can also catch fleas and ticks from the mice they hunt, and can then bring those pests, and the diseases they carry, to the humans they live with.

That being said, hunting small animals is an inborn instinct for cats. Since many people use rat poison for rodent control, and poison can take time before it takes effect, it’s possible that a cat could catch and eat a poisoned mouse and become ill from the toxic chemicals—even if you did not use these substances on your property, but the creature ingested the poison in a neighbor’s yard. Thus, if your cat has caught and eaten a mouse, and especially if your cat seems sick or isn’t behaving normally, it’s a smart idea to check in with your veterinarian to see if your pet needs a checkup.

If you don’t want to risk your cat catching fleas, ticks or diseases from a mouse, you can try putting a bell on your cat’s collar and asking your veterinarian about effective flea and tick repellents that are recommended for cats to use. Of course, the best way to prevent your cat or any member of your family from catching diseases from a mouse or rat is to get rid of the creatures themselves.

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Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Mice And Rats: Do They Work?

When you’re seeking out home remedies or other green tips to get rid of mice and rats, there’s an important question to consider first before you try any natural DIY methods: Do they actually work as intended?

Unfortunately, effective home remedies for killing mice and rats that are also low-impact for people, pets and the environment are not as common as we might hope.

One problem is that many DIY home remedies and methods of pest control with baby safety in mind are not backed by scientific studies, so reports of home pest control remedies that really work are generally anecdotal at best. Another problem is that just because a home remedy is natural doesn’t mean it may not pose health risks. For example, some people claim clove and peppermint oils are good rodent deterrents, but both can be poisonous for dogs and cats if consumed, and even their strong fumes can be too much for some people and pets to handle. Similarly, some people recommend a mixture of plaster of Paris with cornmeal, flour and milk to form a dough that will entice mice and rats and then kill them once consumed, but this mixture can also be dangerous for other animals and even children to consume.

Fortunately, there are plenty of low-impact steps homeowners can take to keep mice and other pests away that are humane for the rodents, as well as friendly for people, pets and the environment. Keep in mind that the following suggestions work best as preventative methods, which means they may not be effective in getting rid of rodents if you already have an infestation in your home or on your property. In that case, it’s best to contact a reputable rodent control expert with a track record of success in getting rid of these fast-breeding and highly adaptable pests.

Here are some earth-friendly ways to make your home more rodent-proof and less appealing to mice and rats:

  • Keep your kitchen and dining areas clean and free of food spills and crumbs.
  • Keep both indoor and outdoor trash cans clean, closed and properly stored.
  • Store all food, including pet food, in tightly sealed containers that rodents can’t access.
  • Empty your pets’ water bowls at night and refill them in the morning with fresh water.
  • Fix any leaking pipes, drainage issues or other areas where water accumulates either inside or outside the home.
  • Seal off any holes, gaps, cracks or other potential entry points to your home or garage, in order to prevent mice and other unwanted animals or insects from entering. Pay special attention to the areas around eaves, window and door frames, outdoor faucets and vents from the stove, bathroom or dryer, as these are common areas for gaps or cracks to develop.

When you call in a professional, you can benefit from additional tips that are specific to your home to help prevent these pests from invading again.

Chem-Free Can Handle Your Rodent Problems

Homeowners looking for a natural, holistic and humane approach to rodent control can count on Chem-Free for an effective solution. Our licensed and experienced pest control specialists can handle any rodent or pest problem, no matter how extensive or complicated it might be. Best of all, when you work with Chem-Free, you know you’re in good hands, because we carefully consider the impact on the environment, along with that of every person and pet living in your home, in every pest control product and method we use.

How To Keep Mice Out Of Your Bed | Chem-Free Blog (2024)

FAQs

How To Keep Mice Out Of Your Bed | Chem-Free Blog? ›

Therefore, there are some best ways to get rid of mice from your bed safely and effectively. Camphor is very effective in repelling mice. Camphor is also easily found in the online shop or local supermarkets. Just place a few camphor in a place that mice often come to.

What can I put in my bed to keep mice away? ›

Therefore, there are some best ways to get rid of mice from your bed safely and effectively. Camphor is very effective in repelling mice. Camphor is also easily found in the online shop or local supermarkets. Just place a few camphor in a place that mice often come to.

Do dryer sheets keep mice away? ›

Another strong smell that will discourage mice from your home is dryer sheets. Place fresh ones around mouse hangout points, or stuff them into entry holes. Same thing here, though: make sure to remove them once the smell wears off. Nothing looks nicer for a nest than an unscented dryer sheet.

What is the best deterrent for mice? ›

Mothballs - Contain naphthalene and may deter mice when used in strong enough doses. Ammonia - Mimics the odor of predators' urine and can act as a repellent. Peppermint Oil, Cayenne Pepper, or Cloves - Have strong scents that may repel mice.

What smell do mice hate the worst? ›

Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves.

Mice are said to hate the smell of these. Lightly soak some cotton balls in oils from one or more of these foods and leave the cotton balls in places where you've had problems with mice.

Why do mice go on beds? ›

While mice usually do not climb on beds, they may make an exception if there is something up there that they really want. Most often this is food. A mouse's sense of smell allows it to identify even small amounts of food.

Does downy fabric sheets keep mice away? ›

Although they can keep mice away for some time, dryer sheets should not be used as a long-term solution to prevent mice from entering a home. House mice are adaptable creatures; it will only take a few days for them to get used to the smell of dryer sheets.

Does Pine Sol keep mice away? ›

Does Pine Sol deter rodents? As will most cleaners, Pine-Sol contains properties that may deter rodents and other types of pests; however, this is not a viable solution as a pest control measure.

Does Irish Spring soap keep mice away? ›

Will Irish Spring soap keep mice away? The short answer is no, there is no hard evidence that is actually happening when people use it as a repellant. The main part of this myth comes from the idea that soap is mainly made from animal fat and mice eat animal fat.

What are mice scared of? ›

They are scared of bright lights and noises too. Mice have poor eyesight and thus rely on their sense of smell. They are repelled by the scent of cheese, for one.

Will a mouse climb into my bed? ›

Can Mice Climb on Beds? Mice are excellent climbers that can crawl up just about any surface. They can also leap one foot into the air, which is why climbing or jumping into the bed is an easy task for them. The bed frame is likely made of wood that's easy to climb.

What does baking soda do to mice? ›

Baking soda is one of the most effective ways to kill mice and rats. It works by producing gas in their bellies. They cannot pass through burping or farting. It finishes off these pests painfully!

Are mice scared of sleeping humans? ›

Mice are small, agile creatures that are skilled at scurrying and climbing. However, they are not typically interested in crawling on people while they are sleeping. In fact, mice are generally afraid of humans and will do their best to avoid contact with us.

How do tea bags get rid of mice? ›

Repel rodents and insects

Rats, mice and other insect don't like the smell of peppermint, lemon, and cinnamon. Make tea with these rodent irritants and place the used teabags in places like the back of your pantry, under the kitchen sink or behind the refrigerator to repel these unwanted pests.

What home remedy gets rid of mice fast? ›

Apply peppermint oil drops to cotton balls and place them in entryways, kitchen cabinets, and any other suspected entry points. You can even try planting mint along the exterior of your home. Apple Cider Vinegar & Water: Spray this mixture around the perimeter of your house as well as in any access points inside.

What smell do mice love? ›

Mice are attracted to the smell of leftover food, cheese, peanut butter, fruits, grains and seeds. It is essentially anything that has high quotient of carbohydrate. Mice are attracted to oily greasy smells and will latch on to insulations and wiring as they are appealing snacks for them.

How do you get a mouse out of hiding? ›

Place mouse traps baited with cheese around your home. You don't only have to use cheese to lure mice species out of their hiding places, although it is the old favourite. You can also use other foods like fresh fruit and veg, nuts, berries, or even bread. Mice aren't picky.

Do mice go near you when you sleep? ›

Yep, mice will crawl on sleeping people. If you did discover any evidence of mice in your bedroom, likely, a mouse has previously crossed your path while you slept. And if it's occurred before, it's expected to happen again. On the other hand, Mice aren't going to stay on your bed if they're dashing over it.

What do mice do the whole night? ›

Mice Are Active At Night

Mice go out of their nests at night, when humans are in bed and asleep. They forage for food, they play with each other, and do most of their damage after daylight. Mice's natural predators like cats, owls, and foxes know this, so they too stalk at night.

What do mice like to sleep on? ›

They sleep in a nest they make from any materials they find. Things such as stuffing from a pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal all work well, but as mentioned earlier, they can also shred different items with their teeth to make them suitable for nesting.

Do mice hate aluminum foil? ›

Mice hate the sound and smell of aluminum foil.

They also can't grip onto it, despite generally being good climbers. If you want to use aluminum foil to keep mice away naturally, wrap it around the objects you want to protect. Mice will avoid them completely.

Does Lysol repel mice? ›

A bleach solution or Lysol-like spray works well, Nichol said. “We all know whether we have in the past had rodent problems,” he said. “If you've had that problem, get out ahead of it.”

What soap do mice hate? ›

Many people report seeing mice bites in their soap, and continued infestation, suggesting the soap hardly phased the intruders. But fortunately for others, Irish Spring Soap seems to work wonders. Particularly when used as a nonharmful garden pest-repellent, which you can read about in our blog here.

Does spraying bleach keep mice away? ›

Yes, bleach will repel mice, but it's not something that you want to use to get the job done. Bleach has a powerful and unpleasant smell, and that will keep mice away in the short term. However, that smell doesn't stay around very long without a great deal of the product being applied to an area.

Does Epsom salt get rid of mice? ›

Epsom salt

Sprinkle Epsom salts onto your trash can lid or around the areas that pests like to burrow into or dig around. Epsom salts will deter most any pests, including raccoons, mice, and squirrels among others.”

Do mice hate Dawn soap? ›

Mice are known to eat animal fat. Many commercial soap products, may contain components of animal fat (known as tallow). So, if you're still wondering “Does soap keep mice away?” the simple answer is no.

What sound do mice hate? ›

What sounds do mice hate? Mice have very sensitive ears and can hear ultrasound of high-intensity wavelengths. They hate the sound of ultrasonic rodent repellent devices, which is usually in the range of 32 kHz to 62 kHz.

Do mice like the smell of rubbing alcohol? ›

Mice don't like the smell of garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, cloves, ammonia and alcohol. If you don't want to be driven out your home by unpleasant smells either, peppermint is another scent that repels mice.

What animals hate mice? ›

Cats. Of course, the No. 1 enemy of any rodent is supposed to be the house cat.

Can mice get into fridge? ›

Kitchens & laundry rooms - Check behind all appliances, as mice can easily squeeze into gaps behind a fridge, freezer, or under the base of a stove.

Do mice like messy rooms? ›

Because mice love to nest and burrow, they will often seek out cluttered areas to make themselves at home, and any place that provides warmth and a sufficient hiding place will fit the bill. And as clutter builds upon itself, it becomes more difficult to clean, which then further encourages rodents to burrow.

What does hydrogen peroxide do to mice? ›

Research report. Evidence that hydrogen peroxide, a component of oxidative stress, induces high-anxiety-related behaviour in mice.

What is a natural poison for mice? ›

One way to do this is to mix some cocoa powder and flour with baking soda or boric acid. Baking soda or boric acid creates a lot of gas inside the rodent's digestive system. The mouse does not have the ability to expel this much amount of gas, so it eventually kills them.

What does toothpaste do to mice? ›

Mice study shows how an antimicrobial found in toothpaste can trigger gut inflammation. A new study conducted in mice demonstrates precisely how triclosan, an antimicrobial found in toothpaste, toys and thousands of other products, can trigger gut inflammation.

Where do mice hide in bedrooms? ›

In bathrooms, mice like to hide under or inside cabinets. Bedrooms. One shudders to think about it, but mice could be under your bed, or worse, inside of it. Mice also appreciate closets, since they are dark–and many of us don't clean them as regularly as we ought to.

Can mice smell through Ziploc bags? ›

Since most foods are sealed in plastic, rodents will not be able to locate them through smell until the seal is broken.

How many mice are there if I see one? ›

Spotting one elusive mouse typically means there are at least five or six hiding out in your walls, basem*nt, or attic. This is particularly true if you see a mouse at night or in a low-traffic area of your home. For more proof of a full infestation, look for these indicators: Scratching noises in the evening.

How long will a mouse stay in a room? ›

How Long Do Mice Stay in a House? The lifespan of a typical mouse ranges from about six months to two years. Generally, the more access to food and shelter a mouse has, the longer it will live. This means that a mouse in your home has the potential to stick around for several months at a minimum.

What liquid kills mice? ›

Bromadiolone is a rodenticide meant to kill rats and mice.

Does coffee get rid of mice? ›

Do Used Coffee Grounds Keep Rodents Away? The answer to this question is yes, use coffee grounds as a natural rodent repellent. The coffee's bitter compounds are unpleasant to rats and mice. They will avoid areas where there is a coffee scent or use.

What drink kills mice? ›

Japata Bitters, a Nigerian Alcoholic Drink, Kills Mice at Testing.

Will mice bother you while sleeping? ›

Do rodents crawl on people while they sleep? Yep, mice will crawl on sleeping people. If you did discover any evidence of mice in your bedroom, likely, a mouse has previously crossed your path while you slept. And if it's occurred before, it's expected to happen again.

Can mice be in your mattress? ›

Your bed should be at least two feet above the ground if you want to avoid mice climbing in. If your mattress sits on the floor or is only a couple of inches above it, mice have an easier access point. Whatever you use to elevate the bed should be smooth so the mice can't grip it to climb up to your bed.

What bedding do mice like? ›

Mice need plenty of bedding to cover the bottom of the cage and make their home comfortable, and to dig in. Suitable bedding materials include wood chips (non-aspen), cellulose-based chips or shredded filter paper. Mice also like hammocks, which can be made from fleece blankets or towel material.

What time do mice come out at night? ›

Mice are nocturnal creatures, so they are most active between dusk and dawn. They don't usually like bright lights, but a mouse may sometimes be seen during the day, especially if its nest has been disturbed or it is seeking food.

Do mice nest in beds? ›

Yes, mice will nest in bedrooms if they can find a place that is not often disturbed. However, bedrooms are rarely conducive to a nest. Still, they are often a place where mice can seek food and nesting materials. Even if mice aren't living in a bedroom, they'll still go into them for supplies.

Do mice hide in clothes? ›

They hide in piles of clothing, stacked boxes, and piled objects of various sizes. If your closet has stuff thrown into it, mice will adore you. Cluttered spaces are a good place to look for droppings or smell of urine.

Do mice live in pillows? ›

A mouse nest is made from any fibrous material that a rodent can find inside your home. These pests will gather items like paper, stuffing from pillows, food wrappers, and torn cloth to assemble their nest. They like to live near food sources.

How do you lure mice out from under a bed? ›

A great way to bring mice out of hiding and steer them in the direction you want them to go is to sprinkle potent scents they find particularly unpleasant. Mice don't like the smell of garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, cloves, ammonia and alcohol.

What eats mice at night? ›

House mice fall prey to owls, hawks, cats, dogs, skunks and snakes. Barn owls are particularly efficient mice predators. A single family of these owls can consume more than a dozen mice in one night.

Do mice like downy sheets? ›

Dryer Sheets and Repelling Mice

If you were wondering, the answer is yes, dryer sheets really do repel mice. You see, mice are very sensitive to smell. It's how they can find food even when you hide it in your home.

Do mice appear every night? ›

Nighttime activity. Are mice nocturnal? Yes, mice are nocturnal creatures, so they are most likely to be active and come out of their hiding during the night. They go out searching for food and nesting material when everyone is sound asleep.

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