How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Toronto Home

The short answer

To get rid of mice in a Toronto home, you need three things working together: remove the current population, seal every entry point, and take away food and nesting material. Traps alone won't work long-term because new mice will keep finding the same gaps. If you've seen droppings, heard scratching, or found gnaw marks, start with the steps below — and call a professional if the problem persists beyond two weeks.

Step 1: Confirm you have mice, not rats

Mouse droppings are about the size of a grain of rice with pointed ends. Rat droppings are much larger, closer to a small olive pit. Mice also leave a faint, musky ammonia smell near their runways. In Toronto's older homes — especially in North York, East York, and Scarborough — mice often travel along basement sill plates, kitchen cabinet voids, and attic runs.

Step 2: Set the right traps in the right places

• Use snap traps, not glue boards. Snap traps kill quickly and humanely. Place them perpendicular to walls, with the trigger end facing the baseboard — mice run along walls.
• Bait with peanut butter or chocolate. Cheese is a myth. A pea-sized dab of peanut butter works better because mice must work at it, triggering the trap.
• Put traps where you see signs, not where you think they should go. Behind the fridge, under the kitchen sink, along basement baseboards, and near attic access hatches are common Toronto mouse runways.

Step 3: Seal every gap larger than a dime

Mice can squeeze through a gap the width of a pencil. In GTA homes, the most common entry points are:

• Gaps around dryer vents, plumbing pipes, and gas lines
• Cracks in the foundation or sill plate
• Openings around garage doors and overhead doors
• Roof vents, soffit gaps, and chimney flashing
• Spaces under exterior doors and around window frames

Seal small gaps with silicone caulk or steel wool. Larger holes need copper mesh, hardware cloth, or concrete. Avoid spray foam alone — mice can chew through it.

Step 4: Remove food and nesting material

• Store dry goods in glass or thick plastic containers, not cardboard or thin bags.
• Clean up crumbs and pet food every night.
• Keep garbage in sealed bins and compost in rodent-resistant containers.
• Reduce clutter in basements, garages, and storage areas where mice nest.

When to call a professional mouse exterminator in Toronto

Call 247 Pest if you've tried DIY for two weeks without success, if you hear scratching in walls or ceilings, or if you suspect mice are in hard-to-reach areas like ductwork or behind cabinets. Our technicians serve Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and the wider GTA with same-day inspections, full exclusion, and a written warranty.

Why Toronto homes get mice every fall

As temperatures drop in October and November, field mice around the GTA look for warmth. Homes near ravines, parks, and construction sites — common in Toronto — see the heaviest pressure. A mouse only needs a 6 mm gap to enter, so even new homes aren't immune if builder gaps weren't sealed.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get rid of mice?

Most Toronto homes are mouse-free within 10–14 days once trapping and exclusion are both complete. Without sealing entry points, the problem usually returns within weeks.

Are mouse traps safe for pets?

Snap traps placed in tamper-resistant stations are safe for pets and children. Never use rodenticide blocks indoors without professional guidance.

Do mice leave on their own?

Rarely. Once mice find food, water, and shelter inside a heated Toronto home, they stay and breed year-round.