Small rodents

Homeowner, renter or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ensure pet food, bird food, and food compost are not accessible to small rodents.
• Check your home and other structures for holes that small rodents may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials, such as metal flashing or hardware cloth.

Around home

• Dispose of garbage properly, and secure garbage in an animal-proof receptacle when possible.
• Clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Use small rodent resistant bird feeders and ensure spilled seeds are removed promptly.
• Solid sheeting or sturdy fencing with one-half inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from small rodents and other wildlife. A single or double strand hot-wire/electric fence may help discourage small rodents from gardens.
• To minimize small rodents from climbing or jumping onto your roof, cut any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap and screen your chimney to keep small rodents from climbing in your fireplace.
• Do not cover outdoor air conditioning units or similar HVAC systems to minimize nesting areas for small rodents.
• Small rodents will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the small rodents to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Small rodents generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs in areas less likely to have small rodents if they are likely to chase wildlife, which can lead to injury for both animals.
• Keep poultry feed and other livestock feed secured to prevent access.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your house are the best ways to reduce small rodent conflicts.
• If a small rodent gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the small rodent. Seal the opening through which the small rodent entered once the small rodent leaves.
• If small rodents are causing issues around bird feeders, install rodent resistant bird feeders or remove bird feeders for at least two weeks.
• Various small rodent deterrents, such as predator decoys and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If you found an injured small rodent or a young small rodent that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of small rodents other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Small rodents may be lethally removed year-round on private property by the property owner or their designee if the small rodent is doing or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• The Prairie vole and Least shrew are protected species in Michigan and cannot be intentionally removed using lethal methods.
• Snap traps are the most humane method of lethal removal.
• Ensure you are properly following state and federal pesticide use regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for small rodent management.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Educate residents about securing food sources like outdoor pet food and bird food that can attract small rodents. Spring and fall are the best times for messaging.
• Check buildings for holes that small rodents may use for access. Seal any holes with durable metal materials.

Your community

• Encourage residents to dispose of garbage properly. Talk to your waste company about providing residents with animal-proof garbage receptacles.
• Educate residents about using rodent resistant bird feeders and ensure spilled seeds are removed promptly to reduce attracting small rodents.
• Encourage residents to clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Metal sheeting or sturdy fencing with one-half inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from small rodents and other wildlife.
• Encourage residents to not cover outdoor air conditioning units or similar HVAC systems to minimize nesting areas for small rodents.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding small rodents and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Encourage residents and park staff to dispose of garbage properly. Consider talking to your waste disposal company about integrating animal-proof trash receptacles.
• Ensure parks have ordinances and signage requiring users to clean grills, not feed wildlife, etc. to reduce attracting small rodents.
• Eliminate abandoned structures that can provide shelter for small rodents.
• Remove large brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures where small rodents may find food and shelter.
• Reduce small rodents from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap and screen chimneys to keep small rodents from climbing in fireplaces.
• Small rodents will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the small rodents to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents about securing poultry and livestock food that attract small rodents.
• Small rodents generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed if they are likely to chase rodents, which can lead to injury for both animals.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing small rodents from being attracted to food and shelter resources are the best ways to control small rodent problems.
• If a small rodent gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the small rodent out. Seal the opening through which the small rodent entered once the small rodent leaves.
• Various small rodent deterrents, such as predator decoys and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If small rodents are causing issues around bird feeders, install rodent resistant bird feeders or remove bird feeders for at least two weeks.
• If someone finds an injured small rodent or a young small rodent and they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of small rodents other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Small rodents may be lethally removed year-round on private property by the property owner or their designee if the small rodent is doing or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• The Prairie vole and Least shrew are protected species in Michigan and cannot be intentionally removed using lethal methods.
• Snap traps are the most humane method of lethal removal.
• Ensure you are properly following state and federal pesticide use regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for small rodent management.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Remove or secure food sources like cafeteria waste and bird food that can attract small rodents.
• Check your building and other structures for holes that small rodents may use for access. Seal any holes with durable metal materials.

Grounds

• Ensure that staff and students are disposing of garbage properly, ideally in animal-proof receptacles.
• Use rodent resistant bird feeders and ensure spilled seeds are removed promptly to reduce attracting small rodents.
• Encourage staff to clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Metal sheeting or sturdy fencing with one-half inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from small rodents and other wildlife.
• Eliminate abandoned structures that can provide shelter for small rodents.
• Remove large brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures where small rodents may find food and shelter.
• Do not cover outdoor air conditioning units or similar HVAC systems to minimize nesting areas for small rodents.
• Reduce small rodents from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap and screen chimneys to keep small rodents from climbing in fireplaces.
• Small rodents will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the small rodents to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Small rodents generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Encourage staff and visitors to keep dogs leashed if they are likely to chase rodents, which can lead to injury for both animals.
• If your business or school has poultry or other livestock, ensure feed is not accessible to small rodents.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your building are the best ways to control small rodent problems.
• If a small rodent gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the small rodent. Seal the opening through which the small rodent entered once the small rodent leaves.
• If small rodents are causing issues around bird feeders, install rodent resistant bird feeders or remove bird feeders for at least two weeks.
• Various small rodent deterrents, such as predator decoys and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If someone finds an injured small rodent or a young small rodent and believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of small rodents other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Small rodents may be lethally removed year-round on private property by the property owner or their designee if the small rodent is doing or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• The Prairie vole and Least shrew are protected species in Michigan and cannot be intentionally removed using lethal methods.
• Snap traps are the most humane method of lethal removal.
• Ensure you are properly following state and federal pesticide use regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for small rodent management.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Keep livestock feed and outdoor pet food stored securely to minimize small rodent access.
• Check outbuildings and other structures for holes that small rodents may use for access. Seal any holes with durable metal materials.

Your farm or orchard

• Metal sheeting or sturdy fencing with one-half inch or smaller holes can help discourage small rodents from climbing fruit trees and other large plants. Fitting hot-wire/electric fencing around plants may especially discourage small rodents.
• Remove fallen fruits, nuts, and vegetables that may attract small rodents and other wildlife.
• Keep grain bins, hay bales, and similar materials stored securely to reduce small rodents using it for food or shelter.
• Where possible, remove large brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures where small rodents may find food and shelter.
• Do not cover outdoor air conditioning units or similar HVAC systems to minimize nesting areas for small rodents.
• Reduce small rodents from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap chimneys to keep small rodents from climbing in fireplaces.
• Secure building doors and windows for livestock and outdoor pets to keep small rodents from entering outbuildings.

Pets and livestock

• Secure poultry food and other livestock food to reduce attraction to small rodents.
• Small rodents generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed if they are likely to chase rodents, which can lead to injury for both animals.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your farm or orchard are the best ways to control small rodent conflicts.
• If a small rodent gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the small rodent. Seal the opening through which the small rodent entered once the small rodent leaves.
• Various small rodent deterrents, such as predator decoys and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If you found an injured small rodent or a young small rodent that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of small rodents other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Small rodents may be lethally removed year-round on private property by the property owner or their designee if the small rodent is doing or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• The Prairie vole and Least shrew are protected species in Michigan and cannot be intentionally removed using lethal methods.
• Snap traps are the most humane method of lethal removal.
• Ensure you are properly following state and federal pesticide use regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for small rodent management.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ensure food sources like cafeteria waste and garbage are secured to avoid attracting small rodents.
• Check hangers and other structures for holes that small rodents may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Around buildings

• Encourage staff to properly dispose of trash and use animal-proof garbage receptacles when possible.
• Reduce small rodents from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap and screen chimneys to keep small rodents from climbing in fireplaces.
• Do not cover outdoor air conditioning units or similar HVAC systems to minimize nesting areas for small rodents.
• Small rodents will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the small rodents to climb out.
• Small rodents generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed if they are likely to chase small rodents, which can lead to injury for both animals.

Airfields

• Minimize shelter for small rodents by maintaining short vegetation and removing features like rock piles or trees with large cavities.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around the airfield are the best ways to control small rodent problems.
• If a small rodent gets into a hangar loft or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the small rodent. Seal the opening through which the small rodent entered once the small rodent leaves.
• Various small rodent deterrents, such as predator decoys and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If someone finds an injured small rodent or a young small rodent and believes it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of small rodents other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Small rodents may be lethally removed year-round on private property by the property owner or their designee if the small rodent is doing or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• The Prairie vole and Least shrew are protected species in Michigan and cannot be intentionally removed using lethal methods.
• Snap traps are the most humane method of lethal removal.
• Ensure you are properly following state and federal pesticide use regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for small rodent management.