Tell your landlord or building manager, then trap and block food at the same time. Place unscented sticky traps along baseboards, behind the fridge and stove and under the sink, store food in sealed containers, and keep checking traps daily.
Step 1: Confirm it is mice
Look for small droppings (about the size of a grain of rice), gnawed packaging, and scratching sounds at night, usually behind the fridge, stove or under the kitchen sink.
Step 2: Tell your landlord
In apartments, mice usually travel between units through walls and pipes, so one suite cannot solve it alone. In most provinces landlords are responsible for pest control in rental buildings; check your provincial tenancy rules and put your request in writing.
Step 3: Trap along the walls
Mice run along edges. Place sticky traps flush against baseboards:
- Behind and beside the fridge and stove
- Under the sink and inside lower cupboards
- Along the wall in closets and the laundry area
- Near any gap around pipes
Use several traps rather than one. A 15-pack usually covers a one- or two-bedroom apartment.
Step 4: Remove easy food
Store dry food in sealed containers, wipe crumbs off counters and floors, and do not leave pet food out overnight.
Step 5: Block entry points
Mice can squeeze through very small gaps, roughly the width of a pencil. Ask your landlord to seal gaps around pipes, under the sink and behind appliances with steel wool and sealant.
Step 6: Keep checking
Check traps daily and replace boards after a catch or when they get dusty. Keep traps out of reach of children and pets; see traps and pets.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for pest control in an apartment in Canada?
In most provinces, landlords are responsible for pest control in rental buildings unless a tenant caused the problem. Check your provincial tenancy rules and make your request in writing.
What is the best mouse trap for an apartment?
Unscented sticky traps are practical in apartments: they are poison-free, quiet, and can be placed along baseboards and behind appliances.
How do I know if the mice are gone?
When traps stay empty for a couple of weeks and you see no new droppings or gnaw marks, activity has likely stopped. Keep a few traps out as monitors.
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