Last update: December 15 2025

Exterminating Mice: Tips from a Certified Exterminator

Autumn is coming with its share of not necessarily desirable invaders in our homes. Rats and mice feel the Quebec cold coming and seek to protect themselves from it by coming to settle comfortably with us. As specialized mouse exterminators, we are always asked the question: how do you get rid of mice?

How can mice and rats be effectively exterminated? First of all, to track down these pests, you have to twist your neck to some preconceived ideas. The best weapon for learning how to get rid of mice is to know which extermination strategies work and avoiding those that are harmful.

 

3 misconceptions about mouse extermination explained by an expert exterminator in Montreal

Here are the explanations of a professional mouse exterminator.

 

Opinion # 1 from an exterminatorMouse exterminator, logo

You have to put cheese on the traps to exterminate mice, because that’s what they like best

 

It’s wrong, mice and rats don’t disdain cheese, but it is not their favorite meal at all! They’ll eat cheese if they can’t find anything else. Mice are not picky and rats, like mice, are omnivorous. That is to say, they eat everything. When given the choice, they prefer sweet foods (i.e., fruit). They also like proteins (including insects), vegetables, and seeds and grains.

Did you know that mice and rats are sensitive to the taste of food? They are able to distinguish the salty from the sweet or from the acidity. This is useful to them, as they do not have the ability to regurgitate food. If they want to make sure that what they want is edible, they have to lick it first. They can thus, depending on the taste, determine whether they can consume the food.

Their sense of smell is also particularly developed. Thus, when eradicating with traps, baits with a volatile odor should be used. Mouse exterminators and professional rats advocate the use of peanut butter. It is an excellent bait: it gives off an appetizing smell and lasts outside of its packaging for a long time.

 

Opinion # 2 from an exterminatorMouse exterminator, logo

The poison dries out the mice’s corpses to prevent foul odors.

 

According to our exterminator in Montreal , this statement is false. The poison, also called the rodenticide , is a pest control product intended to kill rodents, but it does not scum their body. If by chance you come across a dried-up mouse corpse, it has been there for a long time. It was the weather that made it dry, not the poison.

When the animal absorbs the rodenticide , he dies and the fluids stop circulating in his body. It then decomposes and the flesh begins to rot. When the rodent carcass is small, such as the body of a mouse or field mouse, the unpleasant odor is only noticeable for two or three days and is not particularly bothersome. On the other hand, if it is a larger rat, putrefaction will be a real problem. The smell quickly becomes unbearable and later, when the temperatures are favorable, the worms and the scavenging insects (dermest, attagens and others) will quickly colonize the corpse.

When you take steps to exterminate mice yourself, we advise you not to place rodenticides inside the house. Indeed, rodents tend to go into hiding to die and their corpses are often inaccessible. In addition, children and pets are at risk of poisoning.

 

Opinion # 3 from an exterminatorMouse exterminator, logo

Having a cat or dog is an effective way to get rid of mice and rats

 

Once again, according to the expertise of our exterminator in Montreal, this is false. Without compromising your pet’s hunting abilities, it cannot, on its own, stop the invasion. If your kitty proudly places his prey in front of the door (when it’s not inside!), It remains an occasional catch. One animal cannot exterminate mice on its own and cannot fight a rodent invasion alone. Because, in fact, it is always an invasion: mice and rats reproduce rapidly year round. A single female mouse can have up to 60 cubs per year.

myth exterminator, cat and mouse concept

 

Before hiring the services of a mouse exterminator, here are some common sense measures to follow at home:

  • Close, caulk doors, windows and easily accessible entry points.
  • Avoid water leaks under the sink.
  • Install grilles in the ventilation ducts.
  • Keep your kitchen clean, as well as garbage cans (including compost bins).
  • Store dry food in sturdy, airtight containers.

Here are some steps you can take to try to exterminate mice yourself

  • Purchase and dispose of specialized products, such as traps and rodenticides.
  • Talk to a certified exterminator (not ChatGPT!) to learn about truly effective strategies you can implement yourself.
  • Try to identify the location of the colony, if it is in your building.

If, despite your best efforts, you are unable to deal with the infestation, our team of exterminators in Montreal and the surrounding area will put all their expertise at your service. Contact us now to exterminate mice in your home or building.