Eradicating mice in the home

[rov1200]

Over the past week we have caught 6 mice in a trap. On many occasions the trap has travelled 1 to 2 metres away from where its put. These traps are readily available in DIY stores. I always thought the mice died instantly but does this suggest they don't?

[Theland1]

Educating mice at home is very commendable. Good luck.

[rov1200]

Can't wait for new years eve then?

[Theland1]

Clever mice.

[wildwood]

It very much depends on what type of trap and how strong the spring is. If their neck or back isn't instantly broken by the trap they may linger for many hours, eventually dying of thirst or cold.
I used to use the wooden base type ones and I sometimes found it even further away. Mice often got caught on their leg or tail. I don't like unnecessary suffering, even mice.
I now use a (very cheap) plastic easy set one where they actually have to stick their head in the trap to get to the bait and can't walk over the trigger mechanism.

[Velvetee]

Poison them with Warferin. Only thing is, there will be dead mouse bodies all over the place.

[red-forest.]

WHY KILL THEM ? Could you not just trap them then release them some distance away ?

[jonukas]

Whichever way you trap or poison them they will still keep coming into your home, unless you find out where they are gaining entry. I suggest that you do a thorough inspection inside and outside your home and block up any suspect entry holes, sometimes there could be holes round badly fitted drainage pipes. Check everywhere, a mouse can get through a half inch gap.
Good luck & happy hunting

[rov1200]

Yes your right. Its almost impossible to stop them coming into the home as they squeeze through the smallest crack. You know as soon as the winter chills set in they are up in the loft soon after.
Most of the mice poisons on sale today are useless. Before the traps we just laid poison and either they refused to take it or they are immune from it and come back for more. We tried both and they always prefer the peanut butter.
To release them back into the wild only gives someone else the problem to solve.

[Bathsheba]

We had a squirrel problem in the loft at one time, and sorted it with one of those sonic plug in devices x

[terambulan]

Block all holes and apertures where pipes lead into home from outside. They usually sqeeze thru space between pipes & brickwork.

[Barmaid]

I understand the sonic things that Bathsheba has mentioned work (a friend who lives in the country had a terrible problem and the sonic devices sorted it).

If you go with the humane traps, you should release them at least a mile away from the house, else they will find their way back. Although personally, I have always gone for the poison option (try a shop like Central Wool Growers rather than Homebase etc which will sell the heavy duty stuff).

Failing that, I have the ultimate mouse deterrent here. Two cats.

[factor-fiction]

If you release them some way from home they'll probably find their way back. Whenever I've released a mouse within a mile of home it's always turned round and headed home, getting back before I did.

[rov1200]

Obviously squirrels are more sound sensitive than mice. I have had one of those electronic devices going for the past 4 months and all they seem to do is frighten the spiders in the wall cavities.
As for cats they seem just a big a problem as the mice. Pooing everywhere and I put my hand in its deposits only yesterday. Uck...