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Mice!

Discussion in 'Nature/Habitat/Garden Corner' started by luftinarr, Apr 1, 2009.

  1. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Okay, I'm an animal lover...really I am (except snakes...don't get harp on me about how great they are either). BUT, we have mice!!! :scaredeyes: Apparently they loved our birdseed (again, no need to harp about how the seed attracts mice because I know that and thoughtt we alluded the problem by putting the seed in sealed plastic containers) and decided to set up camp in our screened in deck. We've caught 4 mice so far and have been using "humane" traps. Well, the traps aren't so humane because the mice still died. Luckily we haven't had them in the house yet. They're just finding a way onto the deck. So here are my questions:

    1. Should we call a pest company to come and set up the poison traps (we have dogs)?
    2. Should we keep setting our traps (or will that just attract even more mice)? I'm not going to set any snap traps because that's just wrong nor will I set the glue traps.
    3. Should we let them go and figure they'll move on once the weather gets warmer?

    and don't bother with the, "you should get a snake and that will take care of your mice problem" comments.

    Thanks for any help!
     
  2. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    We had mice inside due to teenagers. Once we removed the food supply, the mice moved on. Also - if you can actually SEE the nests or the entrence, toss in a few mothballs - the camphor drives them away.
     
  3. Inverness

    Inverness New Member

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    Call the pest control company for their advice. They should be up on all the methods to manage pests in your house. Perhaps they have a repellent that you can use so the traps will become less necessary...save for the occasional errant rodent.
     
  4. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    I did consult with a pest company today and I'm not ready to drop $285...yet. The options I listed were the options they gave me. What to do??
     
  5. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    I think I see where they're coming in (in the corner of the deck between the deck and the house). There are a lot of sunflower seed shells there. I'm going to have the underneath of the deck checked out as soon as weather permits. Maybe I can drop the mothballs under the deck as well just in case? Can the mothballs be used as a prevantative measure?
     
  6. Inverness

    Inverness New Member

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    Depending on the level of infestation, you could try an Ultrasonic/electronic mouse deterrent (although I don't know how well they work)? http://is.gd/qacm

    There also seem to be some natural "friendly" deterrents, but again, not knowing how well they work. http://is.gd/qa9e

    Here is the PETA site (no comments please) and they offer some suggestions (warning on a gruesome mouse picture)....http://is.gd/qaay

    Of course if the mice have taken up residence in your abode, you have a much harder problem - and the deterrents will probably NOT work....
     
  7. mamatothree

    mamatothree New Member

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    Well I've got three indoor cats and no mice...not sure if that is a causal relationship but it is a possible solution! ;)
     
  8. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    Thankfully no in house infestation. Just the deck.

    And we have a cat as well, but she's useless.
     
  9. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    I'll bring my cat down the street... he'll clear them all out. Seriously... let me know...
     
  10. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Well... she's probably not completely useless since they're not in the house. Do you let her out on the screened porch? If not, her smell and her presence might be enough to scare them away even if she's not a good hunter.
     
  11. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    I'm open for all options! Is he an indoor or outdoor cat? The mice are outside...I don't want him to take off!
     
  12. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Well, he USED to be an indoor cat until I had children that were old enough to open doors, but not old enough to ensure they're always closed. So he gets out occasionally and always comes home. He has a collar with name and phone on it just in case, but thankfully he's always come home. But he's come home with prey, so I know the boy can hunt.
     
  13. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    She's really worthless. She's too fat and can barely walk. Well, she walks to her food, but that's it. She lies in one spot ALL day. She's getting up there in years, but still has an attitude and is useless. :)
     
  14. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Has she been out on the screened porch? Her very presence may scare them away.
     
  15. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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    I'm going to try that!
     
  16. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Encourage her to go out there and sleep during the day. If it doesn't scare them away, let me know and I'll bring my little hunter down.
     
  17. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    First of all, I am very glad you refuse to use glue traps. What a horrible way to deal with mice.

    When we had our mouse infestation I used live traps (use powdered chocolate as bait) and extraordinarily rendered the mice to a neutral area at least 50 yards away.

    My suggestions for you

    1. Go to lowes/home despot and get copper wool. It looks like a brillo pad but a bit looser and made of copper. Take the copper wool and pull it apart. Stuff the wool in to every crack you can see between you and the mice. Any crack wider than a mouse head is big enough to pack.

    2. Remove all food from inside the house that the mice can get to. Put everything in plastic or glass containers. The last thing you want is to give the mice the idea that life is better inside your house.

    3. Do not restrict the supply of birdseed or the mice WILL go inside looking for food (trust me on this. I learned this the HARD way.)

    4. Go to Lowes/Home Despot and buy http://www.blackanddeckerappliances.com/product-223.html

    The smaller ones I don't think do that much good. This is a good one. Make sure your pets is not bothered by it (you can change the frequency) Put this in the room where you fear the mice will come into your house.

    There are some commercial mouse repellent chemicals you can buy. I never used them but some people like them. Again, make sure your pet is not bothered by them.

    Good luck with this. I would not wish a mouse infestation on anyone.
     
  18. marianne

    marianne Puppy Mommy

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    When he says we had an infestation, he means infestation. It was BAD !!!! Sorry to hear that they moved to your house.

    Marianne
     
  19. Kaosdad

    Kaosdad Will work for Rum

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    Napalm!!!!
     
  20. Ozgood

    Ozgood Not a space alien

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    (I hope this family does not live 50 yards from us) :happygrin:
     

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