Mice

Jun 14, 2010

E. K. wrote:

Hi Everybody,

This is only the second time I've used this service and now I'm desperate. I have had mice ever since I moved into my place last september. I have them off and on. Sometimes there is no evidence of them for 2-3 months. I have used peppermint essential oil and bounce dryer sheets and sticky sheets that are placed in strategic places. I've actually caught quite a few of them--mainly babies. Any humane ideas?

A. S. wrote:

I have had this problem at my last place. Steele wool in all little openings and I use to borrow my sister’s cat for 24 hours!

D. H. wrote:

We had a mice problem when we first moved into our house on Lindsey about 10 years ago, and the only method that really worked for us was to get a cat - i realize that's not always an option for people, but it was our experience anyway. The mice can smell the cat and so stay away - though the cat does catch some mice, and that's not exactly what i would call humane hope this is helpful

E. D. wrote:

One of my sisters also has a really big mouse issue and is handling it in what I would say is one of the most innovatively humane ways possible-

She has tried to “humane” traps that catch them and the trap door closes and when you see the door is closed, you know that a mouse has been caught but she has only had luck in catching babies that way.

What she has devised is the following, and has had some success:

She places two toilet paper cores on the edge of her counter, half on and half hanging off. At the end that is hanging off, she has peanut butter wiped on the inside of the core. The mouse sees the peanut butter and starts the journey through the core and then falls into a large empty garbage can (tall enough that it can’t climb out of). In it she has ripped up newspaper and some food (like I said, very humane!) to keep it comfortable until such time as her husband gets home and dumps the mouse out in Forest Hill (only joking), but away from the residential area.

S. R. wrote:

Lee Valley sells a humane mouse trap...

C. M. wrote:

Hi we have found pennyroyal plants to be very effective against all types of rodents. Give us a call as we have plants and essential oil for sale. Also, we didn't find oil of peppermint to work for us.

B. K. wrote:

The sad reality is that there is mouse season and there are mice. The only way to keep them out is to kill them and I hate doing that but they began to chew my wiring and eat the insulation. We have been overrun by mice at least once maybe twice a year and the stuff our mouse guy puts down sometimes will keep them out for a year. Having a cat helps too, because they smell him.

I used to trap them, but I never knew where to let them go. And when there are dozens (they propogate ridiculously fast -- I used to raise domesticated mice as pets - every three weeks) you can't trap them faster than they can nest. My mouse guy told me they are able to squeeze into crevices 1/32 of an inch wide because their skulls can collapse. He found one in a light switch, it having squeezed in to sleep.

If you want my mouse guy, his number is 416-381-0051 and his name is Paul or . He also scared raccoons out of my garage.

If the problem isn't too bad there are lots of humane traps using peanut butter but ours was completely out of hand - an infestation - and there was no way to save my attic, my pantry or my wiring once the mice took hold. After a year with no sign of them I am still finding mouse droppings all over my house. The knowledge of the bacteria alone is enough to make me throw up.

June 15, 2010

S. E. wrote:

We have had on and off mouse problems and here is the what we have found to work, Unfortunately none are humane.

Snap traps and I have heard that there are zap traps that work well ( both at Home Hardware) and also poison seeds. Lee Valleys trap did not work for us at all as well another humane traps we tried just became a feeding center.

If not taken care of fast a few mice can turn into a whole lot of mice in a very short time.

L. B. wrote:

I second the suggestion about getting a cat. This has been the only thing that has ever worked for me. And besides, a cat can be good company!

June 17, 2010

S. S. wrote:

It is also important to state if you are a detached house or not. I live in a semi-detached house. Both you and your neighbour must deal with the infestation at the same time. Meanwhile it is necessary to mice proof your house as much as possible, go through out the house and seal up exterior and interior holes either with caulking or spray foam.

It took many years to diminish the problem, until the neighbour came on board that's when it finally stopped, those little furry beasties love to travel the wall highways. LOL.