Rodents: Coexisting with Wildlife
While Project Wildlife will rehabilitate native rodents like kangaroo rats, pocket mice and woodrats, we are unable to admit most species of mice and rats more commonly found near homes and businesses. This is because they are classified as an invasive, non-native species.
Additionally, there is a small chance these rodents could spread disease to humans, including hantavirus. In San Diego County, deer mice – who are mostly found in rural areas, the desert and mountains – are the main carriers of hantavirus. The wild mice who commonly live in homes or businesses are known as “house mice” and do not carry hantavirus. However, out of caution, we recommend avoiding direct contact with all wild rodents. For more information about hantavirus, visit the CDC website or San Diego County Vector Control website.
Avoid inhumane rodent removal methods
All deadly methods of mouse and rat removal are likely to cause suffering. Plus, removing a single mouse or rat, or even an entire colony, is typically ineffective unless the conditions that attracted the mice and rats in the first place are addressed. Removing any number of mice or rats without making any changes to the space will just invite others to replace them. Once the resources (food and shelter) the mice or rats need are removed, they will move on.
In addition to the suffering caused to mice and rats, deadly "pest control” methods often have unintentional consequences to other species of wildlife. Project Wildlife takes in hundreds of songbirds, raptors, opossums, lizards and snakes each year with injuries or illness related to snap traps, glue traps and poisons intended for mice and rats.
Prevent rodents from entering your home
Although Project Wildlife is unable to accept and rehabilitate many species of mice and rats commonly found living alongside us, we value these species and recommend using humane methods of deterrence and removal instead of deadly methods of extermination. While they mean us no harm, the presence of unwanted rodent visitors can undoubtedly cause problems for people. Prevention, deterrence and humane removal are key!
- Remove attractants: One of the first steps of prevention and deterrence is removing all easily accessible food and shelter sources. Walk around your home, office, garage and storage spaces, inside and outside, looking for potential food or shelter sources.
- Sweep up crumbs or spilled human or pet food items
- Put boxes or bags of food (including pet foods) inside sturdy, sealed, hard plastic or metal containers
- Consider items that may not be food items for humans or pets, but may be considered food for mice and rats (grass seed, as an example)
- Securely contain or clean up any “nesting” materials, such as hay, bedding, towels, straw, paper products, etc.
- Ensure trash or compost bins close securely
- Refrain from leaving out food for pets for long periods or overnight
- Rodents have been found to avoid the smell of peppermint, spearmint and eucalyptus. Soak cotton or wool balls in one of these oils and leave in any areas where you may have seen mouse or rat activity, and anywhere that could be an entry point.
- Mice and rats can squeeze through very small spaces (anything larger than a ¼" opening should be seen as an opportunity for mice to enter). Walk around your home, office, garage and storage spaces, inside and outside, looking for potential entry points.
- Stand inside spaces, preferably when it’s darker inside than outside. Look for sources of light coming in. If you can see light coming in through the bottom of doorways, you can get door seals to block the gap. Any other source of light should be repaired or blocked with sturdy, non-chewable material. A great option would be ¼" hardware cloth, which can be placed over holes or wedged into small gaps.
Live capture and release
Once all attractants are removed and you’ve sealed all known points of entry, capturing and releasing rodents just outside the home or office is the most humane way to remove any mice or rats who may not have had a chance to leave on their own. Catching and relocating these mice and rats into more rural areas should be avoided, as these species of mice and rats are unlikely to survive in unfamiliar, outdoor environments. If the home or office is well-sealed and there are no attractants inside, the mice and rats will move away on their own.
Continue trapping and releasing mice and rats until no more activity is found inside. If the problem seems persistent, you can set up a camera near mouse or rat activity areas to see where they may still be entering the property, so you can remove the attractant, capture and release any remaining mice or rats and seal the area.
Always check live traps first thing in the morning, last thing at night and at least once more during the day. When you have successfully trapped a mouse or rat, release them as soon as possible