Preventing mice problem - DIY Chatroom

f8lyer8s · 06-25-2009, 04:20 PM

My grandmom gets mice in her basement (unfinished) every year in the summer.. We set traps and there usually gone by late July.. any suggestions on how we can prevent them from even getting in the house?

jpelzer · 06-25-2009, 04:27 PM

http://icanhascheezburger.com/

Leah Frances · 06-25-2009, 04:51 PM

- fill every hole, crack, or chink. EVERY one. Mice can squeeze through the tiniest holes.
- remove all possible foodstuffs - or place in metal or glass containers. This includes birdseed and dog food. Also old boxes and paper can be a source of food and nesting material. When in doubt, remove it.

I thought I had cleaned all possible mice food out of my garage - I found a nest of them in one of those microwaveable neck wraps - it was full of rice. I never even considered it.

umpsfar · 06-26-2009, 08:49 AM

once mice find a food source they will always comeback, this can range from nibbling the floor around where u cook, even if its only grease or a splatter from boiling rice to food left in bottom cupboards, they will pick up a routine and filling holes with ordinary cement will only delay the problem.
If it is possible break up alot of broken bottles and glass into tiny pieces and mix it in with the cement , as they can eat through cement quite easily and quickly.
also open all the cupboards in the kitchen and push the backboards especially in the bottom corners to see if any are weak, you are looking for any kind of give,they will have lossened one nail and wont eat the backboards unless its sealed really well, nails and chipboard and hardboard dont make a good barrier. thinkabout sealing them and check back to see if its been compromised.
. maybe think about moving food up and/or sealing the bottom backboards.
If you cant find the source in the basement(its its a closed basement(no garage door or such)
go down there on a very windy day or loud noise outside could help.

ARI001 · 06-26-2009, 12:25 PM

When you fill your holes stuff copper wool (like steel wool only its copper) before caulking or foaming. Remove and place in glass storage containers all food. Check for water sources (leaky pipes/ faucets/ etc.) and repair. Also a cat works well for controlling mice problems. I also turn loose black rat snakes that I catch on job sites in my yard. They are harmless to humans and pets and efficient at eating rodents. I think in your area you would have to use pine snakes (even more efficient) but don't use pesticides if you go that route.

jpelzer · 06-26-2009, 03:27 PM

Cat was my idea. Feed them cheeseburgers when the mice are away.

I *LOVE* the idea of setting snakes loose to catch mice. Love it. Then you get some birds of prey to catch the snakes.

f8lyer8s · 06-26-2009, 10:36 PM

I got a tiger... problem solved....

**Scuba_Dave** · 06-26-2009, 10:50 PM

Having a cat won't work all the time
We have a cat, we've had mice
Must have got in while I was building the sunroom
or the garage

jpelzer · 06-26-2009, 11:20 PM

I think umpsfar was ultimately correct. Sealing all entrances, being very careful about food storage. I have a feeling this is an older house that has plenty of access points for the critters. Get rid of that, they'll go away. Alternatively, make it easier for them to get into the neighbors house. Path of least resistance, and all that.

woodnthings · 06-27-2009, 12:20 AM

Then use a .22 with bird shot and night vision scope. You'll become a good marksman and we need all the help we can get the way this country is going. Leave the bodies there for a while they'll get the idea and look for a safer neighborhood.

bill

Lordofthepests · 10-02-2009, 03:55 PM

To control rodents remove all sources of food in the house and fill in all holes. They probably are living at your grandmas house because they are getting some sort of food from there. Also, don't forget to reset traps with fresh baits.

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PTP WX · 11-05-2009, 02:26 AM

I live in the woods and get deer mice in the garage, in the wood pile, in the air intake on my wifes car.. About three years ago I accidentally discovered a solution after using pellets, traps, sonic devices, etc. for years.

My truck cracked it's engine block when we hit about -25° F and the water pump broke. It leaked antifreeze all over the garage floor. So I cleaned out the truck to trade it in (including french fries from my son). Threw the french fries into an empty garbage can, wiped up the antifreeze with paper towels and threw them in the trash can. Seems all the mice climbed into the can to eat the fries. Slippery feet couldn't climb out, and the anti-freeze poisoned them. Came home from work the next day and had 7 dead mice..... didn't have any the rest of the winter!