If you’ve ever dealt with mice scratching in the walls or roaches scattering when you flip on the kitchen light, you know how frustrating—and unsettling—it can be. These pests multiply quickly, contaminate food, and create an unhealthy living environment. The good news? With the right strategy, you can dramatically reduce or even eliminate mice and roaches in the same day. The key is combining cleaning, sealing, and targeted treatments for fast and lasting results.
Step 1: Deep Clean to Remove Attraction
Both mice and roaches invade homes for three main reasons: food, water, and shelter. Removing these incentives is your first and most important move.
Start in the kitchen. Wipe down countertops, clean behind appliances, and sweep and mop floors thoroughly. Pay special attention to crumbs under the stove and refrigerator—these hidden areas are like buffets for pests. Store all food, including pet food, in airtight containers. Take out the trash and make sure bins have tight-fitting lids.
In bathrooms and laundry areas, wipe away moisture and fix any leaks. Roaches are especially drawn to water sources and can survive weeks without food but only days without water. By eliminating moisture, you weaken their survival chances.
For mice, vacuum along baseboards and inside cabinets. Remove clutter such as cardboard boxes, old newspapers, and unused bags. These materials provide nesting spots for rodents.
Step 2: Seal Entry Points Immediately
You can clean all day, but if pests keep getting inside, the problem won’t end. Sealing entry points is crucial.
Inspect your home for cracks and gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and vents. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. Use steel wool to fill small holes (mice can’t chew through it), then seal with caulk. Install door sweeps to close gaps under exterior doors.
For roaches, seal cracks along baseboards, inside cabinets, and around plumbing fixtures. Silicone-based caulk works well and dries quickly. This step not only prevents new pests from entering but also traps existing ones inside, making your treatments more effective.
Step 3: Fast-Acting Solutions for Roaches
To eliminate roaches quickly, use a combination of bait and boric acid.
Bait stations attract roaches with food mixed with poison. Roaches carry the poison back to their nests, spreading it to others. Place bait stations under sinks, behind appliances, and inside cabinets.
Boric acid powder is a powerful, affordable remedy. Lightly dust it in cracks, behind the refrigerator, and under the stove. When roaches walk through it, it sticks to their bodies. As they groom themselves, they ingest the powder and die shortly after. Be careful to keep boric acid away from pets and children.
You can also make a simple homemade mixture using equal parts baking soda and sugar. The sugar attracts roaches, and the baking soda reacts with their digestive system. Place small dishes of the mixture in problem areas.
Within hours, you may begin to see dead roaches, and by the end of the day, their activity should be significantly reduced.
Step 4: Quick Elimination Methods for Mice
For mice, traps are the fastest solution. Snap traps are highly effective and work immediately. Place them along walls where you’ve noticed droppings or scratching sounds. Mice typically travel along edges rather than open spaces.
Bait traps with peanut butter, chocolate, or a small piece of bread. Set multiple traps—more than you think you need. It’s better to catch several at once than allow survivors to reproduce.
If you prefer a no-kill option, live traps are available, but you must release the mouse far from your home to prevent it from returning.
Avoid relying solely on poison for mice inside the house. While it can work, poisoned mice may die in walls, causing unpleasant odors and additional problems.
Step 5: Natural Repellents for Extra Protection
For added defense, use natural repellents. Peppermint oil is known to deter mice. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in cabinets, near entry points, and along baseboards.
For roaches, bay leaves and cucumber peels are often mentioned as natural deterrents. While not as strong as chemical treatments, they can supplement your efforts.
Step 6: Maintain and Monitor
Even if you see results in one day, continue monitoring for signs of activity. Check traps daily, refresh baits as needed, and keep up with cleaning routines.
Consistency is essential. Pests thrive in neglect, but they disappear when a home is clean, sealed, and actively managed.
When to Call Professionals
If you have a severe infestation—large numbers of mice, persistent roaches despite treatment, or signs of nesting inside walls—it may be time to contact a pest control professional. They have stronger treatments and tools for deep infestations.
