So what is the best method to keep those furry little bastards out of the garage?

 

A cat.

 

Shot gun

 

No go on both counts... I'd use the shotgun to get rid of the cat...
I've tried poison bait(have to be careful not to let the dog in), traditional traps, live traps, diving boards into half full buckets...

 

A dog.

Rat Terrier specifically

 

Fill a five gallon bucket 3/4 with water and put a piece of wood with peanut butter on it and a way to get in. Really works

 

I've used that method JP. Damned mice are wearing life preservers around here now and selling tickets to the country mice that are wandering by. Its more popular than the local waterslide. (I'm in Canada...the water is solid)

 

i have good success with glue traps.

 

I'll look into those glue traps. So If my dog pokes his face around one of these glue traps what happens?
He already tried to steal the bait(peanutbutter) off a snap trap and got smacked on the nose by it before I could call him away. Poor little bugger.
I have cleaned up all the poison pellets, and set out other traps. I like it when the dog comes out and hangs in the garage with me.

 

I had decent luck with the glue but the water was better. I can see that being an issue where there us no heat though. Lol