Mice

Agree with tigger - oil of peppermint! We had field mice eating the dog dry food, tried humane traps, then the snapper traps to no avail. Oil of peppermint dropped onto a cotton wool ball and placed alongside their run and they have never been back! ?

I have heard the phrase, Nannan2.

Hurdygurdy I haven't read the whole thread but wanted to say I totally sympathise with your feelings.

We are on our boat in the US. It had been in storage for a year. When we came back 3 weeks ago, we found mice had got in
And eaten their way through a kitchen roll in one cupboard, and devoured most of a wooden spoon in a drawer.
I was beyond disgusted. I wept and ranted at MrA for several minutes.

Even after disposing of a lot of stuff and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting with chlorine bleach, I still felt uneasy about cooking & eating. Fortunately the mice seem to have left the building so to speak, or Id be in the next plane home.

Ignore your DH. It's your house too. Get Rentokil in asap and find the money from somewhere.
Mice aren't nice little cuddly creatures. They're vermin and they spread disease.
You have a right to be comfortable in your own home.

We live in the country when we moved in there were mice everywhere, so I soon acquired two kittens. Usually the cat deals with any unwanted visitors. I also decant food into containers, and the best solution was when we replaced our kitchen I insisted on units that are completely enclosed so no vermin can get into food cupboards. I think it is impossible to ever be completely mouse proof but blocking holes etc does help, you can get spray foam in containers that is easy to use.

Had a consult with my H.

The most important step is to find all the spot(s) where mice are coming in. It is surprising how 'fluid like' mice are when it comes to slipping through the smallest of cracks. All the traps and poisons in the world won't work as long as more mice keep coming and replacing the ones you already killed.

Once you seal all your doors, cracks and crevices, H recommends several well placed, 'tried and true' spring traps. Contrary to common wisdom, these traps are humane unless they are not set right or they malfunction, otherwise they're quick and effective. Also, be sure to use good bait (peanut butter works very well).

I agree that you must seal up the access points.
I had mice, attractrd to under my kitchen sink.they were eating the suet balls that are for feeding the birds. Shredding up the paper towels for bedding.
My son cleared it all out and put expanding foam in the holes. It was quick and easy. No mice again.

Thank you all for your replies.

Welshwife – I’ve asked husband (twice now!) to check our sonic devices to see if there’s some way to change frequency. He’s not replied to me (he’s a bit “off” with me at the moment – he thinks I’m being way too “drama llama”)

Farmor 15 – I love cats. I just don’t like finding their gifts.

Cornergran – not calm AT ALL!! Not been home since leaving for work on Friday morning, and no intention of going back until I’m 99% certain they’re gone!

Grammaretto – they clearly don’t like Tesco’s own label peanut butter, because husband says he’s put it in the traps and they’ve not touched it. Are they partial to smooth or crunchy, I wonder lol. I could have cried when I read about the baby owl. Owls are my favourite animals.

Lynker – How awful to still not have caught any. Urgh.

Squiffy – see reply to Grammaretto. They don’t seem interested in our peanut butter

NfkDumpling – I am seriously considering borrowing my daughter’s friend’s cat. I’d have to keep it indoors though, as I’d be terrified it would wander off and never be seen again.

Labazs1964 – I have been ranting via Whatsapp at him. I am not ready (hands up – I am being very immature) to speak to him. He replied telling me “Take your little finger on one hand and then wrap your fist of the other hand around it, then pull out the finger. That is the hole a mouse can get through. They have no bones in the back so they can get through vary small gaps”. Which truthfyully, didn’t help AT ALL lol

frankie74 – Just – YUK lol

paddyann – thanks for the tip about taking them (to a galaxy) far far away.

Silviann – they just don’t seem interested in my peanut butter. I think I’ll get husband to try Nutella next. See if they prefer that.

MissAdventure – that’s what I kept trying to tell him. But as I said to Labazs1964 – he just told me how small a hole they can get through, so it’s just not worth doing. (rolls eyes)

Sazz1 – it’s getting close to the point where I will borrow a cat to start with at least. Unless a search on Amazon returns a room spray “Essence of Cat”.

Starbox – no. not at all. I don’t mind mice at all. Not at all scared of them. I just don’t want them in my home, and DEFINITELY not in my kitchen (shudder)

Anjanela – thanks! But I’m not sure of the correlation between a current mouse problem in my house, and a worldwide flu pandemic a hundred years ago

Happysexagenarian – I have no problems with rodents – in their own space. It’s when they start coming into my space that I have the problem. I did read once that you are never more than three feet away from a rat. OK, that may be three feet straight down, into a sewer, but still!

Homefarm – I’m getting close to borrowing one.

JanaNana – We’re not especially close to any fields. About half a mile away from the Downs, but I wouldn’t have thought they’d travel that far, would they?

Patticake123 – will investigate the seed idea, thank you

ReadyMeals – hopefully so. If nothing else, this will hopefully make my husband and son realise that I nag about wiping up after themselves for a reason!

Lyndie – I know what you mean. I really don’t’ want to poison them, or use a snap-trap on them. But if they don’t take the hint, then desperate methods need to be deployed I’m afraid.

Blackcat3 – your post did make me smile. Did you acquire another one after choosing your user name lol

Poll – I can envisage what you mean. When I first read it, I thought “well that’s a bit Heath Robinson”, but it might well work. Might change the peanut butter for something else, as they don’t seem keen on my brand!

Craftycat – your user name is very apt for your cat – sneaking next door for extra board and lodgings! I am very close to borrowing a cat. I’m just terrified it will get out, wander off and never be seen again.

Dogsmother – I am not fearful of them at all. Now amphibians – well that’s a whole other kettle of fish, so I understand your phobia. Rentokil do indeed still exist. They wanted £300 to come out. Frankly, I’d have paid it and gone on a crash diet for the next month, but husband wouldn’t entertain that

grandtanteJE65 – I have told husband that I know they get in via very small holes, But I can’t understand why he won’t at least fill some holes in and make it more difficult for them. Following your reply I have been onto Amazon and I have ordered some “Romax Rodent Seal with Metal Fibre” and whether he likes it or not, he WILL be using it! I have also, based on other replies received, ordered peppermint oil and mothballs. If they don’t take the hint after all that, then they can have the damned house!

GoldenAge – I literally shuddered when I read your post. A mouse running up your leg. No no no no no!!! I don’t want to have to poison them, but if they’re just not welcome in my home!

Tigger – thank you for the peppermint oil recommendation. The only thing I have at home is peppermint essence I use in baking. Not sure if that would do the trick. But following your post, I have ordered some peppermint oil from Amazon today which should arrive tomorrow. Along with some mothball and a couple of tubes of Rodent Seal with Metal Fibres

Jobey68 – I’m very close to borrowing a cat, but I’m so worried it would get out and wander off never to be seen again.

Cuddlypants – apparently a local exterminator told husband that there’s loads of them this year because of the summer weather. May well borrow that cat I was offered!

DeeWBW – we used to have a gorgeous cat who let himself into our house. I’d often come inside if I’d been in the garden and left the door open, and find him sleeping on my sofa. I was so sad when he died. We’ve just recently had a black and white cat appearing in our garden. Might have to encourage him to come in lol.

Boolya – we’ve had some pots of poison down, but they don’t seem to be going anywhere near it. And traps, baited with peanut butter. Also avoided. I have ordered some Rodent Sealant with Metal Fibres in it, and whether he likes it or not, husband WILL be going round filling any holes in.

Nannan2 – getting close to taking up the offer of borrowing a cat for a short time. My only worry is “losing” it and not being able to return it

DaisyL – I see where you’re coming from, but I really don’t like the idea of killing them. At the end of the day, they’re just little animals trying to live, just as we are. I just don’t want them living in my home! And although I know it’s nature, I really don’t like it when cats catch and kill other animals. Especially when they bring them indoors to show how good they are at hunting!

Inishowen – they do give you a fright when they suddenly scuttle, don’t they. The tin foil is a good idea. Another thing to add to the list for husband!

Gillyjp – I am giggling a bit at the vision of man vs. cat. The two I saw (in the Weetabix and on the worksurface) didn’t strike me as tiny. And now I’m even more worried!

GreenGran78 – I’m always a bit wary about putting seed out for the birds in case it attracts rats. But they clearly had a field day in your shed. Best fed mice for miles LOL

Theoddbird – yes, will add tin foil to the rest of the list of jobs for DH. I’ve ordered a few bits off Amazon to help. Mothballs, peppermint spray and Rodent Sealant with Metal Bits.

Blossomsmum – My friend had rats in her house and I read somewhere that they hated the smell of mothballs. I had forgotten that until you mentioned it. I’ve ordered some from Amazon and they will be here tomorrow. Along with peppermint spray and Rodent Seal with Metal Fibre. They surely HAVE to take the hint!

Craicon – you get my award for the bravest person ever!! I’d not go hunting for a rat in drawers. I take my hat off to you.

Sweetpea – I’ve ordered some peppermint oil from Amazon which will arrive tomorrow. Will try anything.

Janeainsworth – thank you. I wish my husband understood me as well as you do! I read that they are not continent animals, and just wee as they go. So just – YUK

Hilltopgran – I think I love you!!! What a fabulous way to get husband to agree to a new kitchen (which I’ve been dropping hints about for over a year). I’ve ordered a few bits from Amazon, based on replies I’ve received, so hopefully we will soon be a vermin free house – with a new kitchen LOL

Willa45 – I’ve been offered a cat to borrow. Can I borrow your husband as well please? He’s got a better grasp of the issue than my husband has.

Gmelon – I have found lots of dropping in the cupboard under the sink, but I can’t think what’s in there that they are attracted to. It’s only cleaning materials. Now if they were going to use those to clean the kitchen, I’d be more amenable to their being in the house!

I have had a mouse or mice in practically every house I have lived in, town or country. I saw one run in the back door one Christmas day, while I was cooking dinner. It was rather warm with the oven on, so opened the back door to let some air in and quick as a flash it ran in, straight into the larder, up an internal pipe. I never saw the going of it or ever spotted it again. Can't say they have ever bothered me, but would rather not have them in the house. I always know when they are in the house though. I either see them flash past or sense them there. I use every method invented to get rid of them. They are not keen on entering houses with dogs in either I have found. But spiders I just freak me out.

Willa45 is right. Mice get in through very small holes. Cement mixed with wire wool stops them. Rentokil can only tackle the mice you have at that moment, unless they also block up holes, etc. Mice can also squeeze under doors, so check you don't have external doors with a gap under them. Draught excluders should work. We once had mice running up and down the central heating pipes in a previous home, so check that also, as mentioned. Foil sounds great. You need to turn into Sherlock Holmes and figure it out how these mice are getting in. You know your home much better that Rentokil.

my jack russell is a marvellous ratter even at 14 she can still give them a run for their money {grin}

When we lived in the country we had a constant battle with mice. Even our cat gave up.
2 things I hated most - the smell of their urine, and the way they peed in my frying pan ( in a cupboard.)
In the end we used an industrial strength poison.

Not really an answer but interesting. My husband keeps bird seed in the garage in plastic containers. One day he opened one to find a dead mouse. He’s chewed a tiny hole in the plastic near the top and then couldn’t get out!!!! My husband said at least he died happy but as I said nor really with no water!

HurdyGurdy The only way to stop mice in your house is to block up all holes into the house and an old fashioned mouse trap for the ones left in the house ,that kills them instantly. Much kinder then poison. If you don’t block all the entrance holes they will keep coming in however many times they are killed. On the plus side, you won’t have any spiders as they eat them. When you start seeing spiders again you will know they have gone for good. Hope you get it sorted

HurdyGurdy I wish you well getting rid of them. And love that you’ve taken the time to reply to every post. I am phobic re rodents. The scuttling and those bald tails. They also pee all the time. So on work surfaces. Yeurgh. And your husband sounds most unsympathetic.

Firstly Anjannelo Not very helpful was it?
If you really can't wait until Thursday for the council to deal with them can you afford to pay for rentokil to come out.
Or do you have a joint account with your husband, if so just use that and sod him.
What is it with bloody miserable husband when they get older!

If you don't want to use chemical poisons or deal with sad little furry corpses, then you can put down cayenne pepper or chili powder, behind or under cupboards and near cracks and possible entrances, and even perhaps outside.

For obvious reasons it deters small mammals - mice, rats (and squirrels too!). It will need replenishing every few years as it looses its fieryness over time.

Proabably best to keep it out of the way of pets and small children for the same reasons.

I saw a mouse run recently but no evidence of droppings etc. I immediately googled 'High pitched noise to deter mice' and played the You tube that resulted. No sightings since. If I ever hear any sort of scrabbling sound I play the recording too. It starts at a frequency which changes until you can't hear it any longer, then goes up and down repeatedly until you turn it off. The scrabbling sounds disappear and the changing frequency seems effective.

I'm sure there are companies which will come and mouse proof houses; fill in all the gaps.
I bet they charge a lot?

We had an infestation last year they were in the loft but seen also in the bedroom. We set humane traps (using peanut butter) each night and caught one each night -we let them go 200 meters away into the countryside - up to 14 in the end. We successfully blocked up all the holes into our utility room and they haven't been seen since.

Renting top half of an old house in London. Overrun with mice coming up the pipes from downstairs. Landlady downstairs wasn't interested but we complained and the pest control guys filled the gaps. All gone now. Traps, peanut butter etc. All useless.

Interestingly our son moved to the country earlier this year and has had a problem with mice in the attic and rats under the house so has had an expert in recently to deal with both issues. He told us today that the mice in the loft have been dealt with by both poison and also blocking up any and all means of entry. The rats entry has been blocked by filling with concrete embedded with glass - I thought this sounded very cruel but understand they have to be dealt with. He was told that mice are incredibly clever. If they find something baited they will send one mouse to test it - if it dies they avoid it so now the poison they use takes several days to kill - this allows them to all go and eat it. It also makes them very thirsty (they don't 'drink' apparently but get water from food) so they go out of the nest to drink and die out of the property so avoiding dead ones in the house. No idea if this is true but it seems to be working.

We have had cats for years and although one brings them in and occasionally loses one he generally waits patiently until it appears for him to catch it - or leaves it for the hoomans to do the work for him

I went to the pound shop and bought Glue Traps and put them down. When the mice run over them they get stuck and cannot get off, so just pick them up and throw them in the bin bye bye

I researched different types of traps before I bought some, but the glue isn't one that is recommended, as it is cruel.
Although some of what I read stated that humane traps are anything but, as releasing a mouse far from its home almost always results in its death.
I made myself watch a snap trap in action on YouTube before I bought any.

MissAdventure - there is a company. I used it after trying every single other option. They spent 8 hours filling in every hole in my flat including behind kitchen units, in fitted cupboards etc. It cost a bomb but I haven’t seen them since. A friend had them 2 years ago and has also not seen any. They give the money back if mice reappear within a year.

We had a Rat come in. So funny cat was cowering in corner, husband was up on the table screaming leaving it to my elderly Mum (86) and I to pull out the sideboard Mum was hitting it with a broom and it was going for her managed to hit it over head in the end LOL!!!