Non-Chemical Mouse Control and Rodent-Proofing

A mouse inside a wall void on insulation in the wall viewed from above by the pest control technician.

The mice that exterminators most often encounter in Metro Atlanta area, mus musculus, are commonly known as "house mice" because they've adapted to living in human homes. They're the same specie of mouse most commonly found in other buildings used by humans, such as factories, stores, restaurants, and so forth. Despite their timidity, they've adapted very well to living among people.

This adaptation, in fact, is one of the things that makes mice so dangerous from a public health perspective. Mice live much closer to humans than most other animals do. Their small size allows them to get into our pantries, the drawers where we store our cooking and eating utensils, our night stands and dressers, and other areas where they contaminate items that humans eat, drink, and touch with their urine, droppings, and fur.

This close contact with areas and surfaces that we use makes it much more likely that we'll be exposed to any germs, parasites, or diseases that the mice carry. Other disease-vectoring wildlife, such as rats, tend to keep a farther distance away from people; so even though rats carry many of the same diseases as mice do, mice carry those disease-causing organisms closer to where we live.

In fact, mice are known to be involved in the transmission of quite a few diseases. Some of the more serious ones include:

The Wrong Way to Control House Mice

Mouse poison in an attic, left by one of our competitors

There's a right way and a wrong way to approach a mouse control job. Unfortunately, the wrong way is how most mouse exterminating companies do it. The wrong way to do a mouse control job is to toss, throw, and tuck mouse poison anyplace the exterminator thinks a mouse might happen to find it, like one of our competitors did in the picture shown here.

Using poisons for mouse extermination is a bad idea. Here are some of the reasons why:

Even when rodenticides are necessary for mouse control (which is rarely the case), they're only part of the job. The more important part is sealing the mice out of the house.
Mice are hoarders; and sometimes they carry the bait to other parts of the house, such as your pantry or the kitchen drawer where you store your silverware and cooking utensils.
Mice also can track poison around the house on their fur, even when meal-type baits that are harder for them to hoard are used.
Many rodenticides are secondarily toxic, meaning that a pet or wild animal who eats a poisoned mouse may also be poisoned. Non-chemical mouse control is more environmentally friendly and responsible.
When mice die, they stink. Because their bodies are smaller, they don't stink as much as, say, a rat; but they don't smell like daisies, either. In addition, there's also the possibility that a larger animal like a squirrel or rat might eat the poison, die, and really stink up the place.

Long story short, rodenticides shouldn't be the core of a mouse control job. Rodent exclusion -- sealing up the house to make it "mouse-proof" is the right way to get rid of mice and achieve long-term mouse control. It's safer, more effective, and more permanent.

The Right Way to Control House Mice

Rid-A-Critter is one of the few mouse control companies in Metro Atlanta that treats mouse problems using no poisons at all. We use non-chemical pest control methods to trap and remove the mice that are already in the home, and seal up the house so new mice can't get in. This is called "mouse-proofing" or "mouse exclusion," and it means structurally sealing a home or building to keep mice out.

As you might imagine, non-chemical mouse extermination that relies solely on trapping and exclusion is painstaking work. Mice are very small animals and can slip through very small gaps, so we have to be extremely thorough to make a house or commercial building mouse-resistant. But it's well worth it. In the end, not only will you have solved your mouse problem, but larger rodents such as rats will also be sealed out of the home.

In addition, you won't have to worry about hazards such as mouse poison being carried through the house, or a pet cat or wild animal eating a poisoned mouse. Non-chemical mouse control is a better, more environmentally-responsible approach to the problem.

Rid-A-Critter provides safe, non-chemical mouse control to homes and businesses throughout Metro Atlanta. Please contact us for more information and an on-site inspection and consultation about how we can help you solve your mouse problem.

Metro Atlanta Mouse Control Gallery

Here are a few pictures of mouse-control and mouse-proofing jobs we've done in and around Atlanta.

Small gaps around a couple of copper pipes where they pass through holes in the stone walls that allowed mice into a house in Smyrna, Georgia. — Mouse gaps through a stone wall in Smyrna

A thumb sized gap around a vertical pipe about an inch from the siding where it passes through the soffit panel that allowed mice to climb up the siding and into the attic of a Newnan, Georgia home. — Mouse gap around a pipe into an attic in Newnan

The gap around a garden hose pipe about five-eighths of an inch in diameter passing through a hole about twice that size in a brick wall that allowed mice into a house in Cedartown, Georgia. — Mouse gap around a garden hose pipe in Cedartown

A gap of about three eighths of an inch along the top of a wooden crawl space door that allowed mice into a house in Atlanta. — Mouse gap above a crawl space door in Atlanta

A gap about half an inch high between the bottom row of siding and the concrete walkway that allowed mice into a house in Decatur, Georgia. — Mouse gap under the siding at a Decatur home

About two inches of mortar fell out from between two stacked bricks at the roof trim line,creating a triangular gap about three quarters of an inch high that allowed mice to climb the wall and get into a house in Decatur, Georgia. — Mouse gap in the mortar of a brick wall in Decatur

A gap about an inch high and half an inch wide between the soffit trim and the chimney that allowed mice to get into the attic of a house in Lilburn, Georgia. — Mouse gap in the soffit trim in Lilburn

A gap about half an inch between the wooden trim and the concrete driveway that allowed mice into a house in Conyers, Georgia. — Mouse gap under the garage door trim in Conyers

The wooden door trim was cut about three inches too short, exposing a gap behind the brick facade at the bottom of the door frame that allowed mice into a house in Decatur, Georgia. — Mouse gap behind the bricks at a Decatur home

A gap around an insulated air conditioning pipe and a P V C condensate drain where they pass through a hole in the vinyl siding that allowed mice to get into a house in Dunwoody, Georgia. — Mouse gap through the vinyl siding in Dunwoody

Gap in in the mortar joint where a pipe passes through a brick wall that allowed mice into a house in Stone Mountain, Georgia. — Mouse gap through a brick wall in Stone Mountain

A gap about half an inch high between the brick foundation and the bottom row of wooden siding that allowed mice into a house in Stockbridge, Georgia. — Why this Stockbridge home needs mouse control

A gap of about a quarter inch between the plywood roof sheathing and the fascia that allowed mice to get from the rain gutter into the attic of a Smyrna, Georgia home. — Mouse gap into the attic of a Smyrna home

Gaps under two adjacent elbowed copper pipes half an inch in diameter that pass through a mortar joint and allowed mice to climb up the wall and through the holes into a stone house in Atlanta. — Mouse gaps under copper pipes in Atlanta

A small gap barely a fingertip wide in the mortar between the stones right under the rain gutter that allowed mice into a stone house in Newnan, Georgia. — Mouse gap in a mortar joint in Newnan

Droppings, urine, and bits of shredded insulation on the plywood attic floor are evidence of a mouse infestation in the attic of a house in Covington, Georgia. — Evidence of mice in an attic in Covington

A gap of about three eighths of an inch at the top of a sagging section of wooden roof fascia where it meets another section that allowed mice into the attic of a house in Berkeley Lake, Georgia. — Mouse gap in the roof fascia in Berkeley Lake

A gap of about half an inch between the soffit panel and the shingles at a roof junction point that allowed mice into the attic of a house in Cartersville, Georgia. — Mouse gap into the attic of a Cartersville home

A gap around a bundle of wires here they pass through a two inch hole in the wooden siding that allowed mice into a house in McDonough, Georgia. — Mouse gap around a bundle of wires in McDonough

A tapered gap in the edge of the roof about half an inch high on the high end that allowed mice to get from the rain gutter into the attic of a house in Decatur, Georgia. — Mouse gap in the edge of a roof in Decatur

A gap averaging about half an inch between the back of the soffit and the brick wall allowed mice to climb up the wall and into the attic of a house in Marietta, Georgia. — Mice climbed the wall into an attic in Marietta

A few mouse turds in the insulation are evidence of a nascent mouse infestation in the attic of a house in Newnan, Georgia. — Mouse turds in the attic of a house in Newnan

The mortar around air conditioning pipes and wires where they pass through a brick wall has started to crumble away, creating a gap that allowed mice into a house in Atlanta. — Mouse hole through the mortar in Atlanta

A tapered gap between two stones in the bottom row of the wall that allowed mice into a house in Lithonia, Georgia. — Mouse entry gap between two stones in Lithonia

The foundation vent cover is sticking out about an inch from the brick wall, exposing a gap behind the upper right hand corner of the flange that allowed mice into a Dunwoody, Georgia home. — Mouse gap behind the vent flange in Dunwoody

The screen behind the lower right-hand corner of the lattice of a metal foundation vent cover rotted away and allowed mice into a house in Riverdale, Georgia. — Rotten screen at a Riverdale mouse control job

The screen behind the lower right hand corner of the foundation vent has either rotted away or been pushed in, which created a gap that allowed mice into a Stonecrest, Georgia home. — Mouse gap in a vent screen in Columbus

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Hiawassee rats are huge

by Bin P.
Jun 08, 2023 09:11:37 am.

Quoted 2 in LaGrange, Ga. one for bats and the other for snakes. Next stop, Newnan Ga for mice.

by Jason Arruda
Jun 07, 2023 12:02:36 pm.

On the road again

by Chad W.
Jun 06, 2023 06:33:36 am.

The gaps around a couple of pipes where they pass through holes in the stone walls allowed mice into a house in Smyrna, Georgia. Mouse control at this house will begin with sealing the gaps to keep mice out of the house, and using traps to catch and remove the existing mice without using pesticides.

by Webmaster
Jun 05, 2023 10:02:27 am.

Headed to quote a house near the Atlanta Zoo this morning. Hopefully it’s a raccoon like the homeowner suspects and not a tiger from the zoo.

by Chad W.
Jun 05, 2023 06:05:55 am.

It’s a beautiful day to catch some critters

by Chad W.
Jun 03, 2023 05:20:31 pm.

Mice chewed around AC lines in a home in Hiawassee Georgia.

by Bin P.
Jun 01, 2023 10:19:01 am.

Sold a exclusion in Gray Ga for bats now to Griffin Ga for a dead animal smell in a commercial building then to Meansville Ga for a quote for animal exclusion, possibly more bats.

by Jason Arruda
May 30, 2023 12:31:31 pm.

The reason our rodent pest control specialists are doing mouse control in the attic of a house in Newnan, Georgia is because a gap around a vertical pipe about an inch from the siding where it passes through the soffit panel allowed the mice to climb up the wall and into the attic. That's a pretty impressive feat for such a tiny animal.

by Webmaster
May 30, 2023 09:38:36 am.

Oglethorpe Ga customer having issues with something entering her crawlspace. Headed out to do a inspection.

by Jason Arruda
May 25, 2023 10:06:56 am.

The gap around a garden hose pipe about five-eighths of an inch in diameter passing through a hole about twice that size in a brick wall allowed mice into a house in Cedartown, Georgia. A rodent pest control crew from our Metro Atlanta office is rodent-proofing the house so the mouse problem can be treated without using poisons.

by Webmaster
May 25, 2023 09:56:28 am.

The reason a house in Atlanta is full of mice is because a gap of about three eighths of an inch along the top of a wooden crawl space door allowed them into the house. We have a rodent pest control crew installing a new door to rodent-proof the house.

by Webmaster
May 25, 2023 09:37:35 am.

Critter truck getting maintenance then it’s off to Gray Ga for noises in the attic.

by Jason Arruda
May 24, 2023 10:23:13 am.

If you were wondering why a rodent pest control crew from our Metro Atlanta office is doing mouse control in Decatur, Georgia, it's because a gap about half an inch high between the bottom row of siding and the concrete walkway allowed the mice into the house.

by Webmaster
May 23, 2023 11:16:23 am.

Zebulon, Thomaston, Butler, Ellaville, Americus, Albany and Moultrie Ga cities I’ll be today quoting wildlife removal services.

by Jason Arruda
May 23, 2023 10:22:46 am.

Exclusion sold in Gray Ga. Going to be another satisfied customer.

by Jason Arruda
May 18, 2023 04:00:20 pm.

Was able to squeeze another customer in today in Gray Ga. Issue is bats.

by Jason Arruda
May 18, 2023 02:58:01 pm.

In Tyrone Ga on a few exclusion quotes, then to Fayetteville Ga. Bats, squirrels and attic noise

by Jason Arruda
May 18, 2023 10:01:35 am.

Caught 6 mice at a house in Braselton Ga. Happy customers

by Chad W.
May 17, 2023 05:41:33 pm.

About two inches of mortar fell out from between two stacked bricks at the roof trim line,creating a triangular gap about three quarters of an inch high that allowed mice to climb the wall and get into a house in Decatur, Georgia. A mouse control crew with trowels who know how to use them will be heading out shortly to patch the hole and non-chemically treat the mouse problem.

by Webmaster
May 16, 2023 05:13:11 am.

Mice climbed the brick chimney and squeezed through a gap about an inch high and half an inch wide between the soffit trim and the chimney to get into the attic of a house in Lilburn, Georgia. Mice are much better climbers than most people except pest control professionals realize.

by Webmaster
May 15, 2023 09:55:23 am.

Doing inspections/quotes in Butler Ga., Thomaston Ga., and Griffin Ga. today from Snakes in a crawl space, bats in a gable and squirrels in the attic.

by Jason Arruda
May 11, 2023 11:04:31 am.

A crew doing mouse control at a Conyers, Georgia home is sealing the gaps between the wooden trim and the concrete driveway and walkways to make the house rodent-proof. The reason for the gaps is to protect the wooden trim from water damage. But the gaps need to be caulked or sealed to keep mice and other rodent pests out of the house.

by Webmaster
May 11, 2023 10:36:36 am.

The wooden door trim was cut about three inches too short, exposing a gap behind the brick facade at the bottom of the door frame that allowed mice into a house in Decatur, Georgia. Our rodent-control specialists are sealing the gap so the mice can be controlled without using poisons.

by Webmaster
May 11, 2023 10:32:32 am.

Mice climbed up an insulated air-conditioning pipe and through a hole where it passed through the vinyl siding to get into a house in Dunwoody, Georgia. The mouse control crew will seal the gap around the pipe and any other opening that they find to make the house rodent proof.

by Webmaster
May 10, 2023 09:41:22 am.

Wildlife Crews across Georgia and Alabama sealing homes, removing animals and insulation replacement. Be safe out there. Making customers happy!

by Jason Arruda
May 10, 2023 09:06:09 am.

Going to be in Macon Ga all day today quoting animal exclusions. Bats, squirrels and snakes.

by Jason Arruda
May 09, 2023 09:13:28 am.

There's a reason our rodent pest control crew brought trowels with them to a Stone Mountain, Georgia mouse control job: Gaps in the mortar joints in the brick wall were allowing mice into the house. You can't permanently solve a mouse problem without sealing rodents out of the house.

by Webmaster
May 09, 2023 09:09:45 am.

This morning we have a pest control crew doing mouse control crew at a Stockbridge, Georgia home. A gap about half an inch high between the brick foundation and the bottom row of wooden siding allowed the mice into the house. Sealing that gap will hep rodent-proof the house.

by Webmaster
May 09, 2023 09:06:46 am.

Quoted animal (rats, squirrels) exclusions in Luthersville Ga, Peachtree City Ga and Griffin Ga. so far. We have a crew in Jeffersonville Ga. Doing Carpenter bee service.

by Jason Arruda
May 08, 2023 01:50:14 pm.

Headed to Duluth Ga to solve a mouse problem at a church.

by Chad W.
May 08, 2023 07:21:48 am.

This morning our rodent pest control technicians are in an attic in Smyrna, Georgia doing mouse control. A gap of about a quarter inch between the roof sheathing and the fascia allowed the mice to get from the rain gutter into the attic.

by Webmaster
May 04, 2023 09:13:31 am.