1. Find their entry point.

Before you put down any traps or bait, do a little detective work. “Figure out where they’re coming from because putting traps randomly all over your basement floor isn’t going to do you any good,” Mannes says. Determine where they’re living and building nests. Once you’ve found those places, set your traps around those general areas. Of course, professional exterminators will be able to determine exactly where to put them and how many you’ll need.

2. Set store-bought traps.

“The tried-and-true mousetrap is still very effective,” says Mannes, who adds that a little dab of peanut butter on each spring-loaded trap is all you need. Want something a little, um, less out in the open? Try the d-Con Discreet No View, No Touch mousetrap, which conceals the little guy so you can just toss the whole thing ($10 for 2, amazon.com).

You can also go the more humane route with a reusable trap ($13, amazon.com) that doesn’t use any glue or poison, so you can release the critter.

3. Use caulk and steel wool to seal up the house.

Once you handle the infestation inside, you’ll want to make sure no additional mice can find their way in. Mice are able to fit through openings the size of a dime. And rats? Well, they can fit through something the size of a quarter — incredible! Even if a hole doesn’t start out that large, the rodents can gnaw their way to make the opening larger.

4.Check the garage.

“If they get into the garage, they might just decide to live under your car hood, where the engine is nice and warm,” warns Mannes. Once they’re under there, they can start eating wires and cause serious damage to your car.

5. Prune shrubbery away your house.

Shrubbery and branches should be cut back from the exterior of your house. “Otherwise, they’re like highways for mice and insects to get into your home,” Mannes says. Keep stacks of firewood at least 20 feet from the house, as mice like to nest in the piles.

6. Seal food in airtight containers.

Put cereal and other pantry items into airtight canisters and you’re less likely to attract mice, according to Mannes. “Another thing people don’t think about: pet food. If you leave it out in a dog bowl all day, that just gives rodents another source of food.”