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| Celtic Radio Community > General Discussion > A Mouse In The House |
| Posted by: merle 21-Mar-2010, 08:43 PM |
| Hi folks. I am at my wit's end. I have a mouse in my house which I wouldn't mind except for the droppings everywhere but I can't seem to trap the critter using humane methods. I no longer have a cat so I bought one of these traps based on the rave reviews on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Mouse-Trap-Humane-Mousetrap/dp/B000YFA7HW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1269225420&sr=8-1 but it doesn't work. All I am doing is feeding the mouse many meals of peanut butter. I know I could use a spring trap or poison but I don't really want to kill the little critter. All I want to do is to trap him and release him far from my house. Does anyone know of a good humane trap that actually works? |
| Posted by: Camac 22-Mar-2010, 09:55 AM |
| Merle; If you want my advice get a cat. Not a store bought one but one from a farm. New cat no Mouse. Camac |
| Posted by: MacDonnchaidh 22-Mar-2010, 10:23 AM |
| Leave out a can of cooking grease, he won't live but he'll die happy. At least that's how one of our mice bought it, the other were either taken out by the snap traps, hawks, or our machetes. (I had three older brothers and were quite avid about 'domestic hunting' ) |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 22-Mar-2010, 02:12 PM |
| Oh, dear. I don't know of too many alternatives that include leaving the critter alive . . . I understand that they really hate the smell of pennyroyal, which is a common member of the mint family. Perhaps strewing some dried herb around the places where you observe their scat would help. And keeping insanely free of crumbs and grease, and all food in containers they can't chew through, for a while. And of course you have to find and stop all the holes with a mix of plaster and shredded steel wool, which they would rather die than chew on. Cats and dogs hate the smell of pure orange oil -- maybe mice too. In any case it's a pleasant smell for humans, so it could not hurt to try. Cat's the best idea, or a small terrier if you'd like a dog. A little peanut butter and D-Con sandwich is effective, but not humane. I was humane -- I used to get them on glue traps, then I would warm the water first before I drowned them, trap and all. It is very quick. |
| Posted by: flora 22-Mar-2010, 02:58 PM |
The glue traps work well. If you want to release him or her after capture, spray the mouse with cooking spray. This helps to loosen him/her and you can work them loose with a wooden pencil. Please be careful as they do carry diseases and destroy all material and wash thoroughly. Yes, I have done this several time. What's that old story about saving the mouse and the lion was rewarded?  Flora |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 22-Mar-2010, 03:19 PM | ||
That's nice. I never tried to get them off the traps -- I was always afraid they were stuck so firmly that I would only tear them apart trying to get them off the glue. I think maybe heavy work gloves would be good while doing this. |
| Posted by: Dogshirt 22-Mar-2010, 06:32 PM |
Otto is VERY good at ridding the house of mice. But there isn't much left to release! I guess I never considered that an option. |
| Posted by: merle 22-Mar-2010, 08:12 PM |
| Thanks to all who answered. I know the best solution for mice is a cat and I wish I could have one but I can't right now. I have spent all of my adult life with cats, until now, and let me tell you that no mouse or any other living creature would stand a chance with those mighty hunters. I am feeding my mouse, or mice, a big meal tonight of Fritos and peanut butter inside of the trap that doesn't work. As much as I hate to kill another creature my back is against the wall so the only thing on the menu starting tomorrow is d-Con. |
| Posted by: merle 23-Mar-2010, 07:56 PM |
There is a happy ending to this story sort of. I decided to give the mice one last chance to surrender before I put the poison out and I have caught and released 4 of then unharmed in the past 2 hours! Ahem, I wasn't baiting it correctly it seems but the instructions are so small I had to get someone else to read them to me. I only hope that I didn't catch the same mouse 4 times  |
| Posted by: Rindy 23-Mar-2010, 10:29 PM |
| merle I hope you didn't catch the same mouse 4 times either. I love mice so very much but just they are dirty, diseased and the hantivirus really 's bad. You know when there's one theres 50 I use decon and it the most humane way to do it. Lots of friends use the spring trap with the cheese Well then it went to pbutter which seamed to catch more. You could try leaving the door open for him if he finds nothing to eat he may leave. lol Wish you could get a photo cause I love mice, shall be waiting to hear the adventures of the mouse in the house. Had one get in the dryer fan one time and that was a mess, then I had one that tore the stuffing out of the patio furniture. Let us know. Have a great day! Slainte |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 24-Mar-2010, 01:20 PM | ||
 Yeah, I did that once. It was a mouse that was coming up through my gas stove, so I turned on the burners once when I saw him on the counter, to head him off. To my horror, he dived straight through the flames and down into the stove. Like Eval Knieval, or maybe Mousie Knousie. Then I knew him by his frazzled whiskers every time I saw him after that. Cornered him a few times, but he always got away, until the last time (glue trap under the stove burner). |
| Posted by: Camac 24-Mar-2010, 01:28 PM |
| Hey Guys; Remind me not to come back as a Mouse in the next life  Camac |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 24-Mar-2010, 07:48 PM |
| Let Burns say his piece about it now: TO A MOUSE On turning her up in her nest with the plough, November 1785. Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie, O, what a panic's in thy breastie! Thou need na start awa sae hasty Wi bickering brattle! I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee, Wi' murdering pattle. I'm truly sorry man's dominion Has broken Nature's social union, An' justifies that ill opinion Which makes thee startle At me, thy poor, earth born companion An' fellow mortal! I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve; What then? poor beastie, thou maun live! A daimen icker in a thrave 'S a sma' request; I'll get a blessin wi' the lave, An' never miss't. Thy wee-bit housie, too, in ruin! It's silly wa's the win's are strewin! An' naething, now, to big a new ane, O' foggage green! An' bleak December's win's ensuin, Baith snell an' keen! Thou saw the fields laid bare an' waste, An' weary winter comin fast, An' cozie here, beneath the blast, Thou thought to dwell, Till crash! the cruel coulter past Out thro' thy cell. That wee bit heap o' leaves an' stibble, Has cost thee monie a weary nibble! Now thou's turned out, for a' thy trouble, But house or hald, To thole the winter's sleety dribble, An' cranreuch cauld. But Mousie, thou art no thy lane, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley, An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy! Still thou are blest, compared wi' me! The present only toucheth thee: But och! I backward cast my e'e, On prospects drear! An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear! |
| Posted by: merle 24-Mar-2010, 08:45 PM |
| It has been about 24 hours now with no new mouse attacks so I think I got 'em whipped by god. My neighbors are now most likely left to deal with them. My next challenge is the raccoon living under my house but I guess I will just let him be for now as he or she doesn't seem to be harmful except for surprising me when I go out after dark. I used to have a cat or two that would have taken him out but that is another story as are my killer cats of the past. Has anyone ever had a cat that killed rattlesnakes? |
| Posted by: flora 25-Mar-2010, 07:29 AM |
| Thanks for sharing Stormeil. I hadn't run across that from Mr. Burns. I agree with Camac about cats. We have had many in our various families. My sister-in-law once had a purebred Persian that just sat around all day doing absolutely nothing but our best ones (greatest personalities) were the wild ones that adopted us. I never saw any attack a rattlesnake but the snake population was definitely down when we had them. We did have a bobcat in the area last summer does that count?  Flora |
| Posted by: Patch 25-Mar-2010, 12:18 PM |
| Cats probably have fast enough reflexes to kill snakes but the two snakes I have would eat cats. They are quiet and gentle, except when they eat. Since I got them about 4 years ago I have not had a mouse in my residence. Though I can not smell them I am told that their prey, which includes mice, can. Snakes are not for everyone though. When my grand daughter visits she counts the snakes when she first comes in the house. If someone bottled "essence of snake" they could possibly make a mint. Slàinte, Patch |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 25-Mar-2010, 05:46 PM |
| Look at the proverb today: "Is bean-taighe ‘n luchag air a taigh fhèin." The mouse is mistress in her own house. I guess that tells you straight, Merle. And in gaidhlig, too. |
| Posted by: merle 27-Mar-2010, 07:53 PM |
| Holy Moses I caught 2 more today! I've lived in this house for 15 years and my last cat died at age 19 a few years ago and this is my first mouse invasion. At least my trap is now working. |
| Posted by: merle 27-Mar-2010, 07:58 PM |
| [QUOTE=Patch,25-Mar-2010, 10:18 AM]Cats probably have fast enough reflexes to kill snakes but the two snakes I have would eat cats. They are quiet and gentle, except when they eat. Since I got them about 4 years ago I have not had a mouse in my residence. Though I can not smell them I am told that their prey, which includes mice, can. Snakes are not for everyone though. When my grand daughter visits she counts the snakes when she first comes in the house. If someone bottled "essence of snake" they could possibly make a mint. Slàinte, Patch It is amazing what cats can catch and bring home as trophies. Besides all the usual stuff I have been presented with rattlesnakes, fish, rabbits and even a turtle! |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 31-Mar-2010, 03:10 PM | ||
How far away from the house are you bringing them to release them? (And do you pack them a little something for the road?) |
| Posted by: merle 31-Mar-2010, 07:45 PM |
| I am releasing them about 100 feet away in the neighbors yard (after dark of course) and am leaving them a peanut butter and cracker snack. |
| Posted by: Rindy 21-May-2010, 07:50 PM |
| Was wondering if you have all the mice out of the house now? Slainte |
| Posted by: merle 21-May-2010, 08:01 PM |
| Rindy it is funny that you ask. I thought my victory over the mice was complete until last week. I had a bag of Fritos on the kitchen table and thought I heard a strange rustling sound coming from it so I picked it up to investiage and it started squeaking! This is a tue story:) So I tossed it out the door and checked on it later and the bag still had the Fritos in it but no sqeaks. Needless to say I fired up my peanut butter and cracker trap again but haven't had any takers yet. I don't think the war has ended yet. |
| Posted by: Rindy 21-May-2010, 08:17 PM |
| Oh no merle! I bet that startled ya. If it would of been me we would of had fritos all over the kitchen. oh, gee..and you know there's nothing worse than the frito bandito mice they mean business. LOL.. well let us know what happens. It's been a bit colder here and I've noticed more in the garage than normal. Good luck to you. Slainte |
| Posted by: stoirmeil 22-May-2010, 06:45 AM |
You could just keep them on that Frito diet -- they might all die of heart attacks. Life expectancy of a mouse is not that great even when they are healthy.  |
| Posted by: Rindy 13-Aug-2010, 08:55 PM |
| Well this is of the rodent family but my dog told me there was something in my window well. I looked down and there was a huge hole dug. So I took a stick pushed it in the hole, saw nothing but huge teeth. So got the hose to flush it out. Well out it came. I had to club it as I wasn't sure what it was it came flying out. Scared me to death!!! How weird. Feel sad now as it was a big prairie dog. My dog a Schipperke is a excellent rodent getter, that's what they were bred for on ships. I could of had tunnels through out my yard.... Anyone had any mice or rodent problems? Fall will be here and they will be making their way in to the warmth. Slainte |
| Posted by: Justin 23-Oct-2010, 06:27 AM |
| Use a fly trap. I'm referring to that paper like pad that is very sticky and it is commonly used to trap flies. It is also applicable to mice. Put a little amount of food in the middle and when the mouse tries to eat the food,it will get stuck in the trap. I also experience this in our house and I'm 100% sure that it is effective. You trap the mouse without killing it. |
| Posted by: Rhymer 25-Oct-2010, 04:11 PM |
| Thers a moose loose aboot this hoose. For mice eradication introduce it to a cat, who will then proceed to bring them home for some fun. Chase them out dont beleive it. Any unpaying lodger mice tend to come in by themselves and got out by themselves. The most amazing little rodent was one that was an extreme sports fan, he or she climbed up the outside of the house and came in through the open living room window, even the cat watched in amazement. We do though have some bats resident in our loft. Rhymer. |
| Posted by: Rindy 25-Oct-2010, 10:30 PM |
| Had to laugh at the moose in the hoose. I think nature can take care but if it gets really bad ya have to do something, I didn't have much luck with the square sticky mice paper they would get on and scream finally lay down. They are alive when you throw them away. I had one leave it's leg in it. so I don't want to us those anymore.. Finally figured out who you were today Mr RYHMER' nice to see you here. Well gues I best be geting on to bed. Getting late. Slainte |
| Posted by: merle 25-Oct-2010, 10:44 PM |
| Back when I had lots of cats I had more mice in the house because they kept bringing them into the house and releasing them for my pleasue I guess. Cats do have a sense of humor. Right now I am catless and have found a humane trap that works without that paper that pulls their skin and legs off. |
| Posted by: Dreamer1 04-Nov-2010, 06:22 AM |
| Fall is definitely here again. Our dog and I heard a visitor in the kitchen wall the other night, after midnight. By the sound of the chewing, it was a bit larger than a mouse Drove the dog crazy not being able to get at it! I plugged in our sonic device again (haven't needed it since last Winter), and all's quiet. Our house has woods on two sides, across the street. I normally use bottled Coyote urine around the perimeter of our yard twice a year, but am out of it at the moment. Looks like I'll have to get some more, asap. Stuff works wonders for keeping rodents, skunks, and racoons away! (Our dog thinks skunks are meant to be caught and brought to us as trophies - YUCK!! Got sick of bathing her 5 times in two weeks one summer, sis-in-law intro'd me to the Coyote stuff. THANK HEAVENS!!) I've also used mint oil along the baseboards in the past - to good effect - but the company that sold it doesn't offer it anymore. I like that method because it leaves the house smelling so nice, so if anyone knows where I could find more, please post a link! (Thanks) When all else fails we will resort to D-Con, but only as a very last resort. Hate the smell in the walls when they don't get out in time, and feel guilty for such a nasty end. Good luck everyone! They are persistant little nuisances! |