If you don't give a mouse a cookie, he probably won't ask to move in this winter

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring … except for the mouse eating a cookie in the pantry.

As cold weather sets in, mice and other small animals are naturally drawn to our homes for warmth, protection and an abundance of tempting treats. But, with apologies to Laura Numeroff and her delightful book series, most of us aren't ready to convert our pantries into Chez les Petits animaux. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, humane ways to escort tiny visitors back outside and encourage them to stay there.

Obviously, the best way to have a home free of uninvited guests is to keep them from entering in the first place. Rats can slip through holes the size of a quarter, and mice need only the size of a dime. You can use a flashlight to find potential entry points such as holes, cracks or gaps around pipes and doors, and seal them with foam sealant, hardware cloth or metal flashing.

Making the area unattractive to small animals is also effective. Keep counters, floors and cabinets free of crumbs and store dry food and pet food in chew-proof containers. Keep trash and recycling tightly sealed inside the home and out, pick up dog and cat food at night and avoid feeding your animals outdoors. Removing hiding places next to the house goes a long way too, including keeping grass and plants trimmed and placing outdoor furniture, grills and wood piles away from exterior walls.

If you're already playing host to a rodent house party, many hardware stores and humane societies sell humane mousetraps, and Havahart Chipmunk Traps work well for rats. Bait the trap with a dab of peanut butter in the back (so the animal's tail won't get caught in the door and break) and set it against a wall in an area where you've spotted droppings or signs of chewing. Check the traps frequently so the animals won't be petrified inside for too long, much less get dehydrated or starve.

Many humane traps, including PETA's, keep the animal completely enclosed, allowing you to step outside, slide the door open and pop back inside before your ousted guest even makes a getaway. Just release the mouse within 100 yards of your house, since relocated animals don't know where to find adequate food, water and shelter.

You can also encourage rodents to pack up and leave by putting cloves or cotton balls soaked in ammonia or peppermint oil in the areas they frequent. Aluminum foil balls or a radio can work, too.

You never want to use glue traps or poison, which are both extremely cruel. Animals ensnared in glue traps lose patches of skin and fur as they struggle to escape, and they can suffocate in the glue. Makers of these traps commonly tell people to throw the live animal, still stuck to the trap, in the trash, and the victim may suffer for days before eventually dying. And in addition to causing mice and rats a painful death, poisons are highly toxic to humans and pose a risk to companion animals and non-target wildlife who come into contact with them or with the bodies of poisoned rodents. And lethal methods never work long-term anyway, since other animals will simply move in to the newly vacated area.

Those of us who have had companion mice can vouch for the fact that they are affectionate, cuddly and curious as well as adept problem-solvers who can quickly figure out any puzzle you give them if they know they will be rewarded with a treat. Rats are empathetic animals who are willing to put themselves in harm's way to save another individual. They can dream, show a variety of facial expressions and bond closely with their family members and human guardians.

As we continue to develop, sprawl across and bulldoze animals' habitats, we make it harder for them to survive. The least we can do is show them a little compassion in the places that were their homes first.

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ABOUT THE WRITER

Michelle Kretzer is a senior writer for the PETA Foundation, 501 Front St., Norfolk, VA 23510; www.PETA.org.