How to get rid of mice naturally

Be careful with using poisons to rid your house of rodents. It will kill them, but you may not be able to find the dead animal and it may cause a stink! Depending on the severity of your problem, you have several options. If your house is completely infested, seek the help of a professional.

1. Try peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is a natural deterrent. The smell is simply too intense for rodents and they will not try to go near it. It also helps to mask the scent of any tasty morsels that have been missed when cleaning. You can get peppermint oil in most health food stores and even some major grocery stores. Place a drop or two on a cotton ball. Place the cotton balls in areas where mice are likely to enter your house, by doorways or heat vents, etc. Another helpful deterrent is to grow peppermint plants near the entryways. You can use the mint in cooking as well as it serving a deterrent purpose.
2. Seal the possible entries. Mice can get through tiny holes (if the head can get through, the body can), but the best way of having a mice free house is to close any possible entry. While this can be hard to achieve in old houses, it is the most effective solution. A good way to board up small holes is by using green kitchen pads (those used for cleaning pans and such) cut to the right size.
3. Stick steel wool in mouse holes. Steel wool pads will prevent mice from using the hole to get back into your house. Better still, it's too tough for mice to chew through.
4. Place tubs of used kitty litter around entrances the house. The mice will sniff the smell of cat urine and clear off in a jiffy.
5. Bait some mouse traps if you're not squeamish or opposed to this method. Good old fashioned mouse traps baited with peanut butter or bacon grease tend to work. They are more humane than glue traps but occasionally fail to kill, and may just maim. Glue traps catch the mouse, but it will not kill them. You will have to do the deed yourself. Electric mouse traps are highly effective, they cost about US$25 st stores like Home Depot in the USA, or try other hardware stores such as Bunnings or Carters. These will electrocute a mouse within 10 seconds of contact.
6. Try a humane trap. There are traps that catch the mouse in a box. The mouse can get in but not out. This can be a humane way to catch mice, but it can be a hassle because you must go to a remote location to release them. You don't want to throw them in the back yard because they will just come back in!
7. Zap with beeps. There is an electronic unit that emits a beeping sound that rodents hate. This sound is not a hazard to dogs and cats and can be bought at hardware stores (e.g. Home Depot in the USA has these for about US$30). But some studies suggest that they are ineffective.
8. Keep your home clean. If there is nothing to eat, they will be less likely to stay. Why not go out for dinner instead? Seriously, however, keep all food stored properly in airtight containers and in places that are safe from mouse attack.