Evicting Mice

[naomi24]

I've posted this is Animals and Nature too, but haven't got a response yet. I know S&C isn't really the place for this question, but I need urgent help, and hopefully more people will see it here, so here goes.

I have a country house, and winter visitors have arrived. I really would rather not poison them, but one way or another, obviously they have to go, so I wondered if anyone has used one of those sonic devices to evict mice - and do they work? If so, what is their range, and would I need one in every room?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

[MrBounty]

Just keep talking nonsense to them, they'll soon get bored and move on.....

[MWB]

Get a couple of cats.

[MrBounty]

Get Psychic Cats.....they will shoo away the mice before they even arrive.....

[naomi24]

Oh, did that work for you, then?

[MrBounty]

Well, I have two cats and no mice......

[naomi24]

Can't get cats, MWB - I have several dogs.

[Schutzengel]

Three cats are even better. :-)

[MrBounty]

But the psychic cats will be able to "see" where the dogs are and move elsewhere......the dogs wont even know there are cats about.

Unless you have psychic dogs......

[ChuckFickens]

what if they are psychic mice though?

[MrBounty]

Christ......i hadn't even considered that possibility!!

[Schutzengel]

Sorry Naomi, didn't know you had dogs. Perhaps you might prefer to use humane mouse-traps, which don't kill the mice, but you have to release them well away from the house. Haven't needed to try the sonic device as no problem with having three cats. Hope you find a solution that suits you. Good luck.

[123everton]

They worked for my neighbour.

[naomi24]

We've tried those, but no luck. They've chewed a hole in a brand new carpet overnight - we only had it laid two weeks ago. They're in the loft, and they're getting into the kitchen and dining room too now. I'm afraid they might start chewing wiring in the loft and cause a fire. It might seem funny to some, but it really isn't.

[Schutzengel]

Naomi. If things are so bad you really need to call out the people from Environmental Pest Control, who can be reached through you local council. Sorry about your new carpet.

[Gormless]

Sonic devices are unlikely to get rid of an established infestation, although they may well discourage a passing visitor from staying. I had a couple of caged pet rats "to stay" recently and I forgot to unplug the rodent deterrent initially - the rats were not in the slightest bothered.

You can have a go with human traps, put them along the edges of rooms, bait with chocolate spread or peanut butter. When you catch one, you have to take it well well away (?miles) before releasing. If they are well established, expect to catch 30 or more.

I used B&Q electric traps, which are claimed to kill them instantly and humanely, and you don't have the problem of hidden rotting bodies you may get with poisoning.

Ultimately though, you may have to put down poison to get rid of them.

Finally, you need to find out where they are getting in, often more difficult than it sounds since a hole the mere size of a pencil is big enough. If you can't, then consider yourself permanently at risk, and leave humane traps or poison down long-term.

Good luck, it is a real nuisance!

[funnygirl]

If you have any of those rough green scouring pads, the thin ones, cut them up and use them to stuff any holes or gaps you find.

Mice do not like walking on or near these scouring pads.

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry Naomi they don't work.

If you want evidence of this just note that none of the professional pest control people use them.

If they worked you'd see them employed in commercial applications.

I have an old country house and mice are just a fact of life. You know the trick that snakes do dislocating their jaws? Well mice can do the same with the bones in their skull.

That means that if you've a hole big enough to push a biro through a mouse can get in.

Unforunately I'm alergic to cats so it's just a case of traps humane or otherwise when they become too cheeky

[evedawn]

the pied piper???

[naomi24]

Thank you everyone. As you say, Jake, mice are a fact of life in a country house, which is why I mentioned the house, We've had them during other winters, and have managed to catch them and remove them before they caused any substantial damage, but we only noticed these a few days ago and already they're making their mark. Seems we're going to have to resort to poison, or old fashioned traps. I hate the thought of it, but I can't see an alternative.

Thanks again.

[keyplus90]

I used one of these at my home and I can�t see any more spiders. Now it says on it that it works for mice as well. I think it is to do with electromagnetic function. I have not tried as I do not have any mice or rats at my home (at least my wife would have known if there were any). But I know that you would not trust me but still.

http://www.barnitts.co.uk/products/details/908 .html

Otherwise if this does not work then take these mice as blessing for your home in disguise from God. However you may like praying to God for something better.