Ok, so I live by a field and the best way to control this would be of course...a Cat. BUT, my husband hates them and won't let us get one. :( Plus we are renting and the landlord won't let us have animals. But I thought maybe one outside?? But I think it's too cold to get a new cat and expect it to stay outside only.
SO, We live in a duplex with a basement and I can't seem to figure out where they are coming from. The year we moved in, we had no mice. Last year we had one. This year.
7 SO FAR!!!!!!!!!!! I caught 3 last weekend alone. I hate sharing my house with critters. I was nice and bought the humane, go in in the stuff, the door closes trap. They got out. So I went back to the old fashion 4/$1 slam down traps and caught 3 in my kitchen last weekend. Then I had one in my bedroom and I caught him on a sticky trap because I didn't want a mess, but then I had to take the live little thing out. EWWWW....
What I am asking is this. Is there something I can put on the outside of my house along the foundation that will detour them from coming in? A friend of mine told me fox urine, but not sure exactly where I can purchase that and with this cold weather, they are bound to swarm in. Any suggestions would be grateful!
Thanks!
~T.
Ok, so after reading through all of these wonderful posts...here is what I did today. I went and bought the weather proof chunks with the black cat on it. Put about 10 outside the house: under the cement front porch, bushes, back porch, right by the dryer vent.
I live in a duplex which I am renting, so I can't have a cat or dog for that matter, inside anyway. But I wanted one for the outside. Still a no go from him. Hubby doesn't like them because of a mishap when he was a kid.
Then, I bought the things you plug into the wall. The only kind WalMart had were ones that covered 1 room/plug. Since they were $15/2, I figured, I would buy one and see if it helps. Going to plug into my bedroom and the kitchen. But I don't have any low plugs in the kitchen, they are all high. Does that matter, anyone know? The page really has no instructions on it, so besides plugging it in, I'm not sure.
I also bought these little bags that have granules. I put all four in my garage. It is attached and I have seen mice doodie in there. So, I put one right by the entrance into the house, one right by the entrance into the garage and one on either side.
I did catch one on a sticky pad the other night in my room. He sounded as if he was trying to scurry off, so I put a bucket over top of him. The next morning I was going to take him out, but when I lifted the bucket he jumped around and freaked me out. So I was like...NO WAY. I'm leaving him under the bucket til he dies. Hubby is out of town on business and I was NOT taking out a live mouse. THEN...the next day, I lifted the bucket, he was stuck to the pad and his breathing was horrible. He was suffering and I felt like a villian. I know, I wanted him out. But, as I walked him out to the trash can in my bucket, which also went into the trash can, I said a little prayer cuz I felt bad. When the traps just kill em and it's over, I don't have to see em suffer. I'm such a wimp! LOL
Thank you all so much for your help. I will keep you updated! I hope the poison, poison squares and the plug in things due the trick because I am TIRED of sharing my house with smelly lil creatures!!!
=o)
Peppermint oil repels mice like you would not believe. I used to have a mouse problem in an apartment I had, and I put some on a piece of a cardboard and left it on the floor. It completely solved the problem. My apartment did smell like a candy cane factory for weeks, but to me it was worth it. I don't know if it would work as well outside around the foundation, but it's worth a shot. Good luck!
T.
I had mice about 3 yrs ago and they literally took over my kitchen !!!!!!!!!! I finally had to call orkin to come out
and do 3 treatments to my house but I did get rid of the mice
it cost me about $250.00 but it was worth it they were ruining everything in my cupboards.
Target and Walmart have these weather proof block type poison products that can be put outside. I would suggest putting them close to the foundation where the little buggers would be. There is a picture of a wild looking black cat on the front. Cant remember the name though. And no worry of having dead mice inside like with Decon. Though Decon is good too.
Just my 2 cents for help!
Stace
d-con baby d-con! I promise you I know mice troubles like you wouldn't believe and if you put d-con out for those hungry lil bastards they will eat it so fast and die!! skip the traps cause they are too smart for that mess, use d-con!
I wouldn't use poison. just for the simple fact that they'd likely die in the walls, or wherever they're getting in, and then not only would you have mice, but you have dead STINKY mice..blech.
the cat is the best idea, but even that backfires. especially if it's like mine more interested in batting them around than actually catching them *rolls eyes*.
we had a bit of a mouse problem in our home last winter and we used these traps that actually electrocute the little boogers. they have to walk into the trap and as soon as their little feet hit the metal plates to get the peanut butter..mousey poo goes bzzzzzzzt. we only used one of these traps and after emptying it a couple of times, we didn't have any more problems. they're a little more expensive than the regular ones, but worth it as far as i'm concerned. the good old fashioned traps work well, but sometimes mice get sneaky and get the peanut butter or cheese off of the trap w/o actually getting onto the trap.
anyway...good luck!
T.,
I have been told that if you surround the foundation with rock / pea gravel, it will deter the mice. Apparently they don't like to walk on it. I luckily have not had to test this advice, but I googled it before responding to you and found some sites that suggest it as well. Good Luck!
I live behind a field too, and this year we have had them worse than before. Not sure why. I think they get in behind the dryer- thru the dryer vent. They are disguisting and I am afraid of them! I don't like cats either. We use the old fashioned traps, but I have heard that putting crab apples around the perimeter of your house might deter them. You might try a hunting supply store for the fox urine. I have not heard of that one myself but I might try it. Good Luck
I too have had the problem and so glad you asked this one. I have traps (yes the snap ones) glue boards, and poison. We live right in the middle of town but do have a big drainage ditch near buy. Plus the neighbor behind me has a yard full of compost piles and well it is almost the size of my car. I personally think that is where they are all coming from! Hubby does not agree on that one with me. Any how I tired the plug in things about 5 years ago and gave up on them - they still showed up. This year I have only found one dead one from the poison but I know they are still here I have finding poop in the bathroom under the sink.
I have a friend of mine who caught 4 of them in 1 day with traps using peanut butter chocolate cups (candy) says they love the things and uses them all the time - picking some up today at the store to try it!
The fox urine call the local hunting places or even try and call Bass Pro or Cabelas in St. Louis they might be able to help. Go to Buchiets too - I keep for getting to - but I know there there was some sort of seed stuff they sell to put down to keep the cats out of the plants and snakes out of areas as well so I am thinking some one has to have something out there for mice!
I am totally keeping up on this topic and THANK YOU again for starting it!
T.,
You can buy the fox urine at any Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's. I googled for the Cabela's website to find out how much this is $8.99. Here is the picture of what to look for (fyi)
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/41/08/40/i...
I hope this helps and good luck!
G. Conrad
I don't really care for the poison myself, but I've had to resort to it, and it works wonderfully. Someone left my basement door open for a night a while back, and one pregnant mouse got in and had her babies before I even knew she was in there. My husband has lived in tons of farm houses, and went straight for the poison when he heard we had a mouse. Within a couple of days, we found about 15 dead mice in the basement, and have not had one come back in since. You just have to find them before they start to stink and get them out of your house. If they die in the walls (which, living in the country, will inevitably happen at least once no matter what you do to keep them away) it's a stench you can't get rid of for weeks and you never forget.
If you want to skip the poison altogether, I've heard mothballs help deter rodents, but I think that is also meant for places like under porces and not out in the open next to the foundation. It may be worth looking into, though.
Antifreeze in a shallow lid in your basement or the back of your kitchen cabinets should do the trick for the ones inside your house. As far as outside, I don't know that I would put out antifreeze where other animals might come into contact with it (cats, dogs, etc).
You can get poison and put it under your fridge, behind book cases, etc. Im not sure about spraying though. Hope this helps some.
--S.
T., been there done this and still have to work thru it sometimes. We have used those plug in things for the wall and they work. My Dad also uses them and he has not had a mouse. He lives in town and I think they hate the plug in thing more than they hate having to find another place, but when there is no other place like we are in then they deal with it. We have had an infestation this year, but then from what we have heard from others so have they.
We use the poison and keep it out all year long. Sometimes in the winter if you get one they will die someplace within the walls, but if you keep it out in the spring, summer and fall then they tend to eat it and go back out. We also use the traps, the killing kind. You can buy rubber gloves at the dollar store if you don't like touching them. We have had cats, but not all cats turn out to be mousers. We had one that was really good and then we had one that would play with the thing until it ended up getting away and then we had one that would just watch them. LOL
I would definitely invest in the plug in to see if they work for you. You can bet you have a lot more mice if you have caught that many.
Good Luck !!!!!
Personally I'd try everything I could.
We have a squirrel in the attic problem. No matter what we do, they find their way in. We put one of the sensor things up there and that has helped some. It works with all types of critters. Also those pellet things work well too. They think it's food, eat them up and then crawl off and die. Only thing with those is to make sure you keep them away from anywhere kids can get to them! Good luck.
Mice.......................They are so cute but so destructive. Personally I use spring loaded traps because instant death is always better than a long drawn out experience. Occasionally I catch a mouse in my sink becasue its extra deep and the babies can't jump out. Right now I have one in a cage waiting for the weather to warm up so I can let it loose. I also have a rat and a gerbil. Back to your question. Look around outside for any pippes or wiring running into your hose and use steel wool to plug up any holes. You have to do this frequently because they can chew a hole in anything within minutes. Also, I tried this with ants, put the food source outside so they stop coming in to eat. !! They also get in through the garage in my house because the seal isn't airtight. Its really an ongoing battle that nearly EVERYONE fights. Not everyone talks about it though.
No man tells me what I can or can't have. A cat would be much better than mice. Tell him to get over himself and get a cat anyway.
Suzi
Hi T.,
I live on a farm and the house I live in was built in 1950. I too had a big mouse problen this year. Tried every thing nothing worked until I found the web site www.riddexplus.com it has new and humane product you plug in to the wall and one unit works for 2000sq. feet of your home. It started working right away. I have not seen a mouse since I plugged it in and that made me very happy because the little critters freak me out.
Time to call Terminex or Orkin! They can set you up on a plan, come out every 3 months to treat, or more if you need it. I had to have them come out for my spider problem. I was pleased to find out they treat for all kinds of stuff and once you are on a program they will come out as many times as needed. I know that they have much better rodent control products than you could ever buy in the store. Fact is those things can breed faster than we can get em out of the house! Good Luck!
If thats not an option...I suggest poison and stuff all holes with steel wool, but they will chew new ones to get in!
PEPPERMINT OIL on COTTONBALL. I know it sounds weird, but it works. It has to be the oil, the extract will not work. You should be able to find it in the craft area at any discount store; two bottles for around $2. Just put about 3-4 drops on a cottonball and place in a corner where you think they may be entering. The smell also repells spiders and snakes! And the best part about it, it won't harm your kids ... good luck!
Well I go to my feed store and get blocks of rat poison, it is about $4.00 here for 3-4 cubes like butter. I break thises into about a 2 inch chunk and put tem behind my stove, ice box under the sink and anywhere all over the house that my pets or little children couln not get too. So far it has helped alot. They eat this and go off looking for water and die.
Good luck I hate them too.
KayD
i had an infestation in my apt bldg a few years ago. i had those same humane traps. once i couldn't even count how many mice were in the darn thing! it was sick!
then all of a sudden they were gone. i mentioned it to the guy in the unit next to me. he said he bought those frequency emitting plug in pest control things. he used the ones that use the wiring in your walls to carry the frequency. i guess they can disturb your TV and radio signals tho.
I think you can buy the urine stuff at places like home depot. if not, i'm sure you can order some online. i have used mothballs in the gutters of my home to deter squirrels. i found where they were getting in, covered the hole with sheet metal (cut some duct work actually), and threw some mothballs inside and outside the hole.
Here is some info i found online:
http://www.spcaonline.com/Mice.PDF
"The most effective deterrent is cleanliness. Cleaning with a dilute bleach solution
will eliminate scent trails. If mice are in the kitchen, don't forget to clean under
your stove and refrigerator.
· Place cat hair around entry holes. Collect it from friends who have cats or a
groomer in your neighborhood. It really works!
· Rats and mice are also repelled by pure peppermint oil."
We used to live on a field and two things worked. Everywhere you have a vent or hole that goes outside...install wire mesh. Or make a mixture of garlic water and spray it around the base of your house. Good luck catching those critters. When we did the above no more mice.
W. Q
Hi T., boy do I feel your pain!! We live in the middle of corn fields in all directions, in a 100 yr. old leaky farmhouse and everytime the weather changes or the fields get cut, in come the mice. Plus we have 6 kids and one messy husband so the mice are fed really well. We have a 3 yr. old cat that has FINALLY become a fairly decent mouser. But we also use Decon poison which works great but the mice have a tendancy to die inside the walls and it stinks pretty bad for about a week. I'm a stay at home mom with a very sensitive sense of smell so this just about kills me. The cat sometimes will let an injured mouse go and then it will crawl off to die under something, so the cat is not always effective. My mom gave me some hedge balls--those big green seed looking pods that fall off of trees I guess--and told me to put those around the foundation of the house. I did that last year but I'm not sure it works. I didn't see as many mice but had poison and the cat helping too. The biggest thing that I have done that I have noticed works is cleaning up my counter space in my kitchen. No loaves of bread or any crumbs or anything that would taste good to a mouse. No small feat to accomplish in my house! I use a combination of cheap traps(with cheese or peanut butter ) poison,cat and trying to keep the kitchen clean. I have them but the "evidence" is not as visible, I can still smell them sometimes in the basement, I think they leave a urine trail. Yech!! Oh, also fill in any holes with that expanding foam called Great Stuff, works but is messy and dries quickly. Good Luck with your BATTLE AGAINST THE MICE! ;)
M. B.
We had that mouse problem before. My husband ended it by putting steel wool in the holes in your foundation. In our case the holes were around the where the water pipe came in.
Meanwhile, I guess I'll never understand why certain people "hate" cats. A good mouser comes in handy. But if one prefers dogs how about a terrier that hunts rodents.
Hello T.,
Check around your foundation to search for openings...dryer vents, holes, etc. Find a draft spot in the basement and fix that.
Check behind and underneath sinks, stove, attic openings etc. Mice can climb and tunnel.
Anything left out in your house will attract vermin. Containerize everything, Cereal, Rice, Macaroni, Flour, Sugar, etc. The mice are looking for a food source to take them through the winter.
Sonic Sound devices work, mice cannot stand the high frequency sounds. They are plug in devices.
Make your home unattractive to vermin.
I would imagine that Fox Urine can be purchased through hunting magazines or Big Box Hunting Outlets.
But lets deal with reality:
Trying to respect your husband's dislike of Cats is admirable, but I don't get from your article where he is trying to help you fight your mouse problem.
Unnatural remedies are often hazardous to other animals and small children that share the creature's domain. Natural remedies are evironmentally friendly and safe to humans.
Remind your husband that mice are a health hazard because they are carriers of disease and need to be dealt with seriously. Realize also that over time Cats also get to the point where they will "gift" you with a dead mouse as a love token (Don't get offended). This will be his offering to you in thanks for your love and care.
Give your husband a choice between getting a Cat or a Snake to control the Mouse problem. His choice will result in a compromise, a 50/50 partnership or a meeting of the minds between equals.
Sincerely,
Angie
Check around your plumbing, like under the kitchen sink. Also check around the foundation around the outside of the house... look for little holes, and looks where you might have cable running into your house. They're tricky little buggers!
I would also prefer the humane way of dealing with them... but, I honestly think that they only way to get rid of them for good is with the good old fashioned mouse traps and poison.
My husband bought some mouse traps that work VERY well. They require batteries. They are like a black box the mouse comes in and curves around in it and finds the bait... then they are electricuted. Yes, sounds a little scary... but hey... We hate them. I am sure they probably die instantly. You flip a little lever and dump the mouse in the trash or where ever. You can use it over and over. It's great.
We have had EXCELLENT luck with them. We will never buy anything else. Of course this doesn't fix the problem of them coming in... I don't know of any suggestions for that at all. I feel for ya... as I mentioned... we hate them.
I say tell your husband TOUGH when it comes to getting a cat because a cat is probably the best solution to your problem. At least in my opinion. I have 6 cats.
