mice

[ems27]

Me and my flat mate live a large house thats converted into flats. We have the top floor flat. We're clean and tidy. Last night to my absolute horror i discovered 2 mice in my room, alive, running across the floor. I desperately need advice. Does this mean they're all over the house ? If there are 2 will there be dozens more ? would the presence of a cat in the flat scare them off (i'm thinking of borrowing a friends cat), if you have mice does that mean you have rats ? what is the quickest and best way to get rid of them, i don't care about killing them i just don't like the thought of finding dead mice in my house. Help please !!

[maggie01]

Mice even live in the cleanest houses and as you have seen two there is a possibility that you could get more as they breed quite freely. A cat may help but not all cats scare them away. Probably the best thing would be to set some traps. You can get some little cardboard boxes which you put some bait into and hopefully you will catch them.

[ems27]

thanks, i'm definitely going to get those. This might sound like a stupid question but can they climb onto beds ? Is there any chance that they would come anywhere near me, I'm so freaked out by them.

[maggie01]

In reality they are more scared of you than you are of them. We had them when we lived in an old house and I used to hear them scratching when I was in bed. I have never heard of any actually getting on the bed. It's gross I know but try and get rid of them while there are only two and hope they are not male and female.

[dilligaf]

Mice can climb onto beds and even up curtains. If you catch them alive in a bait box you will have to go a few miles from home before releasing them or they will be straight back.
Majority are immune to the type of poison you can buy in the shops and if it did work they would probably find a corner to die and rot away in. Smelly.
Spring traps can be messy
The smell of a cat in the house normally drives them away even if the cat itself is not a "mouser"
Mice tend to find their way into houses especially this time of the year when it gets cold outside.
Because you have mice does not mean you have rats. They have nothing to do with each other. If you had rats it is doubtful if there would be anything left for the mice to be interested in.. I would settle for a cat, either borrow one or buy one. They do make nice pets and you will be guaranteed a mouse (and rat ) free home for years to come.
Good luck.

[ems27]

thanks for the advice guys

[woofgang]

PS get traps, cats are people too and you can't just borrow one like you might a hairdryer!!

[ruthann58]

cats are not the answer we have eight and still managed to get mice

[zubianne]

We live in the country and have a constant stream of mice trying to move in. I use a transparent plastic 'trip-trap' mouse trap. The mouse goes inside to eat peanuts, the trap shuts behind them and I take them away in the car. The mice don't seem to get too stressed and I don't think they come back (although I have considered marking them somehow, just to make sure!) Don't be scared by them - they are extremely cute when viewed up close.

[ploughman]

Maggie, Zubiannes post is right on the money.I have extensive experience of catching mice and the trip trap made by Proctor Bros, Bedwas, Wales, really works.You can get one for about �4. Ive just caught no 39 this morning. Forget cardboard boxes containing bait, the mice can eat their way out of these in minutes. Poison them if you dont mind giving them a nasty death! Theres no need to kill them, the trip trap allows them a second chance when you set them free out in the country.(well away from housing! The only snag is that if left too long the captive mouse can become stressed and may die, which defeats the object. To get around this, Ive made an extension to the trap which allows the mouse to live for days if necessary, if given enough food. I will send you details if you are interested. Mice can climb anything in the quest for food, on to beds up curtains etc, and can gnaw through quite thick wood if given enough time. I agree they are very cute, but must be kept out of the house at all costs. The usual mouse caught is the long tailed field, or wood mouse. They have very long back legs and can leap several feet in the air when released. Not quite so cute is the house mouse, which can be a real pest .The trip trap will last for years and is a good investment. Always clean the trap thoroughly after a capture, and make sure it is completely dry when used again. It wont work if the trap door sticks to the trap roof through surface tension. Good hunting!

[Mick-the-Miller]

Get the Pest a Control people in from your Local Council, they'll sort it out!