A rodent researcher told us how to keep mice away this winter

Mice find their way inside in the winter, looking for a a warm place for comfort (just like us). If you’d rather that place not be your kitchen, bedroom or living room, there are ways to keep mice out in the first place. An ounce pf prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to rodents, which is why we turned to an expert for the inside scoop on keeping mice from getting behind your refrigerator or below stove.

Laura Dillard, director of research at the Rodent Control Company a cat is an expert in pest management and prevention. “Rodents are particularly active in the winter as they seek food, water and warmth to survive the colder months,” she says. “Preventing an infestation requires vigilance and preparation to keep these pests at bay.”

We asked Dillard for her top tips for protecting your home and making sure the holidays and beyond are rodent-free.

Use all-natural deterrents

There are a handful of all-natural substances that can be placed in place of traditional traps. CNET Home and Kitchen Editor David Watsky find peppermint spray be a particularly effective way to prevent rodents from entering the home.

“Peppermint oil is one of the most popular options,” says Dillard, although some people go so far as to place predator urine from animals like foxes or coyotes around their homes. This often scares rodents away from becoming dinner for a larger animal.

Seal entry points with steel wool

Not surprisingly, rodents can squeeze through holes of all shapes and sizes, even if they are a quarter inch in diameter.

“Inspect the exterior of your home, including around pipes, vents and cracks in the foundation,” says Dillard. “Seal gaps with materials such as steel wool combined with sealant or metal cladding to prevent chewing. Pay special attention to the areas around doors and windows.”

One approach is to add weather stripping that blocks common entrances from animal ingress. Products like expanding foam barrier they get the job done and are not difficult to use and install.

Eliminate tempting food sources

Perhaps the best part of winter is cooking and baking our favorite comfort foods. Unfortunately, these meals, along with leftover crumbs, pet food, birdseed, and improperly stored pantry items can attract rodents looking for a feast.

“Store all foods in tightly closed containers made of glass, metal, or heavy-duty plastic,” says Dillard. “Clean up spills immediately and dispose of trash regularly. Avoid leaving pet food or water bowls outside overnight. And if you feed birds, place feeders away from your home and clean up any spilled seeds.”

Read more: The best cordless vacuum cleaners tested by CNET Labs

Remove the clutter

There’s a reason most homeowners on shows like Hoarders deal with mouse and rat infestations. Rodents like to seek out nesting materials such as paper, cloth and insulation to burrow into and keep warm.

“Keep storage areas organized and avoid leaving piles of newspaper, cardboard, or clothing in basements and attics,” says Dillard. “Outdoors, trim vegetation near your home, remove debris piles, and store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and high off the ground.”

Read more: These kitchen organizers will give you miles of extra space

Watch for signs of activity

Early detection can often prevent all infestation, but you need to know exactly what to look for.

“Look for droppings, gnaw marks, or scratching sounds on walls or ceilings,” says Dillard. “Identifying the early signs can help you act quickly.”

Know when to rely on traps

If prevention techniques have failed, there are various baits and traps to lure rodents into an enclosure and/or a mechanism that kills them. Although standard mousetraps and glues still exist, they are not the most humane.

Alternatively, live capture traps exist that offer no-kill options as a thoughtful non-harm rodent management solution. “These traps are designed to safely capture rodents so they can be released back into the wild,” says Dillard. However, they must be used effectively. Here are her top tips for getting the most bang for your buck.

Tips for setting rodent traps

1. Choosing the right trap: “Choose a live catch trap that matches the size of the rodent you’re targeting. Brands offer a range of trap sizes for people who work for mice, rats and other small rodents. Tomcat offers both single and multi– live trapping options, but remember to check the traps twice a day to make sure the trapped mice are not being denied regular access to food and water.”
2. Correct placement: “Rodents usually travel along walls, skirting boards and other edges of rooms. Place traps along these trails and near places where you’ve seen droppings, gnaw marks or nests.’
3. Baiting the trap: “Use a high-protein, aromatic bait such as peanut butter, sunflower seeds or small pieces of fruit to attract rodents to the trap. Do not over-bait as rodents may take food without triggering the trap.’
4. Release the rodent: “When releasing a captured rodent, take it to a remote location away from your home to prevent it from returning. Choose a natural area such as a wooded or grassy field where the rodent will have access to food, water and shelter. Consider wearing gloves when handling the trap to avoid direct contact with the rodent.”
5. Performance and Considerations: “Live traps can be effective but may require more effort than other methods as traps need to be checked frequently to ensure the rodent is not left in for too long. Always clean and disinfect traps after each use.”

Of course, by combining trapping with preventative measures, homeowners have the best chance of eliminating the risk of vermin infestation. Take both methods into consideration and rodents may very well seek comfort in a lost glove rather than the walls of your home.