Mice/rats why me!!

talkin

I'm thinking I have mice or rats not too sure which in my house. Heard scratching last night at around 3 am which sounded to me to be under the floor boards between 1st floor and 2nd floor not the attic. To say I'm freaked out is an understatement. Iv looked for signs off feces but no sign I think it's a new arrival only in the last couple of days.

Will those plug ins work to get rid of it or them

Tabnabs

No, the plug ins will absolutely not work. .

talkin

Haven't seen any droppings. But from the sounds last night they or it is either living in my wardrobe in my room or in the floor boards underneath. The other night though the detergent cup fell off the dryer and I did see my dog scarper into the spare room Yesterday morning and sniff at the floor boards where the radiator is and then he sorta followed the scent and was sniffing for a while. Then when I heard the scratching last night I just knew! Eeeeek it's an awful feeling

Kess73

Mod Post: Advice on how to kill an animal is more suited to other forums, possibly one like Animal issues.

I have no objection to any discussion regarding things like advice on how to remove an animal (legally of course) in a humane manner and release it afterwards, but discussion on the best methods to kill wildlife do not really sit well in a nature & birdwatching forum.

I have removed any posts with advice on how to kill mice, and if those posters wish to PM the OP then that is their own perogative.

Capercaille

You can get a humane trap, which the rodent is not injured. You can then release.

OpenYourEyes

Capercaille wrote: »

You can get a humane trap, which the rodent is not injured. You can then release.

.....just be sure to release it a good distance away from the house!

Also, you had better find out how they got in and seal or cover whatever hole/pipe etc they used, or you're likely to have a repeat of the problem again in the near future.

talkin

Anybody know where sells these humane traps? I'm thinking might have gotten in small hole where an aerial wire is. Iv tried putting peppermint oil on cotton wool around to see if that will move it/them along...but I think it's wishful thinking!

OpenYourEyes

I'd say your best bet would be your local hardware shop!

talkin

They're on amazon but I could be waiting a while I'll try in shops tomorrow

Ulmus

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=86683218 Also covered on this thread. The Rentokil live capture humane trap worked for me, bought at Homebase 7 euro.

Bsal

Yeah I'v seen the humane traps in Woodies and B&Q their not hard to get.

Chisler2

It causes me huge discomfort to discuss any kind of trap or 'termination' of a creature that seeks food and shelter in human homes............and I've had a fair share of rodents of all kinds in various house-shares, lodgings, and my last home.

The thing is - any rodent that has moved in has (a) found a source of warmth and security and (b) a ready food-source. If you remove one or both it/they will move on to a more congenial home.

Neither rats nor mice are any kind of threat to humans, though it is advisable not to 'corner' a rat as it will do anything necessary to clear a route to escape.

My advice? Scrupulously clean your house, especially your kitchen. Sometimes areas behind fridge/washing-machine/cooker accumulate stray bits of food or even accumulations of dead spiders, grease etc.
Seal all consumables in plastic; store rice, vegetables and all staples in lidded jars; breads in bread-bins; everything else in fronted cupboards or refrigerator. Then turn the central heating down a couple of degrees at night. Give it a week and listen again. Without food and warmth in the colder nights, your harmless lodgers are likely to have located a new home..........hopefully one less intrusive of their human neighbours.

Trying to catch and 'relocate' rodents is a wearisome and (in my experience) useless exercise. Even when it is "successful" you have put them somewhere uncongenial where they are likely to die of exposure or starvation.

I've been told rats do not like peppermint oil and it worked for me in the past. However if your lodgers are mice they are unaffected.

talkin

Ok I tried the peppermint oil didnt seem to bother it/them last night. Other than the scratching and my dog possibly catching a scent there's no other sighting. I do feel bad for wanting it gone its so frightening hearing it at night and yes I know it's only small but still.

glaswegian

i had a similar problem last year,i bought one of those plug in jobs and haven't heard any scratching since.

talkin

Oh it'd be perfect if the plug in worked. Getting mixed reviews though but it's worth a shot. Starting to think its a rat cuz there's no sightings I only hear the scratching at night.

glaswegian

i'm no expert,but i think you can tell wether it's a rat or a mouse by the size of the droppings.

talkin

Yeah iv seen no droppings yet either. But I haven't lifted the floor boards

Zoo4m8

"Neither rats or mice are any kind of threat to humans, though it is advisable not to 'corner' a rat as it will do anything necessary to clear a route to escape"

This statement disturbs me, rats in particular are a real threat to humans not necessarily on an everyday level but the diseases they can transmit can be serious. Salmonella would be an obvious one due to food contamination , lepto or it's more well know variant ,Weils disease , can be transmitted through urine in water.
I have been bitten by a rat and the resulting infection I have no wish to experience again...
And ,yes , you definatly do not corner a rat..

I am not trying to alarm the op as any risk is minimal, just trying clarify the reality of the situation as we live side by side with our furry friends !

My opinion , for what it's worth, is most likely a mouse, I have found on occasion plug ins can work well, you have been given lots of options to try so I won't add to them, good luck

talkin

Heard the noise again last night no sightings though. The noise is always in the same corner of the room. I'm in a semi detached. It's getting frustrating that there's no proof only the noise. and can only hear the noise when it's quite. Could it be stuck under the floor boards because of the peppermint could it be in my neighbours.

Capercaille

talkin wrote: »

Heard the noise again last night no sightings though. The noise is always in the same corner of the room. I'm in a semi detached. It's getting frustrating that there's no proof only the noise. and can only hear the noise when it's quite. Could it be stuck under the floor boards because of the peppermint could it be in my neighbours.

If you get a terrier to check out the room, they will indicate if rodents are present under the floorboards. My fellow will start to scratch and yelp if evidence of rodents.

HansHolzel

Chisler2 wrote: »

Neither rats nor mice are any kind of threat to humans

Two words: Weil's disease.

HansHolzel

Another two words: bubonic plague

HansHolzel

Rats will also attack unguarded babies.

talkin

So get a terrier and a cat and the plug ins close up all cracks and holes.

talkin

Awake the last hour after hearing a screeching ?? Still not sure rat maybe mouse but this is getting irritating

googsy

I had the same problem a few years back... I taught they were in behind the wall but it turns out they were in the attic ( rats )... not a pleasant experience !