Mice

bluey2023

Help!!!!!!! We moved to a rural area all be it in a housing estate this year. House was empty for at least 10 years according to the neighbours.

The two previous owners were great diy men!!!!!!!!!!!! We have done a good bit of work but recently been catching mice in the attic.

We can not find the point of entry. We might as well have shares in expanding foam, wire wool, and calk.

my husband is regularly doing checks on the attic and the only place left that is a possibility is a place we can’t get access too and maybe the roof???

I’ve peppermint, plug ins in every room. I’m obviously terrifed. We’ve had people out and all you get is you’re going to get them they’ll find a way in. I literally can’t cope. I’m about to pop baby number 2 and not sleeping with the worry.

Any Advise

thanks

Tilikum17

Get a cat.

put cat in attic.

no more mice.

bluey2023

😂😂😂 unfortunately due to being pregnant the risk with a cat right now are not good. Can’t really leave him up there. Have thought about it to be honest ha. We have a dog terrier so I think that’s deterring they from being down stairs

Tilikum17

You don’t leave the cat up there. Good god.

the mice will smell the cat and piss off. If you live in the countryside from time to time you’re going to have mice. Especially in the winter

geographica

Detached house?

Cavity walls?

How old is the building?

bluey2023

I was joking 😂😂

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121525171#Comment_121525171

semi. Built in the 80’s. Cavity on side of attached

geographica

It’s very possible that when builders put in the sewage/foul pipes they failed to fill around the pipe, these would be underneath the footpath surrounding the house at the back or side.

Check around the site to see if there’s any tunnelling especially from under shrubbery or decking, this can give access to the cavity of the house which leads to the attic space

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121525469#Comment_121525469

We’ve filled everything around the perimeter of the house as there was cracks etc with cement. We will check the sewage again but when we moved in we had drain doc out and I had them check as a precaution

kirk.

Were they already in the house

The plastic traps with chocolate will get them

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526116#Comment_121526116

we caught two in the kitchen when we got the keys. There was a massive gap between the piping and outside. So we filled that in. We got the attic insulated and they said they was no sign of them up there when we moved in and now there is 😭

we are catching them but I don’t want them in in the first place I’m terrified of them

Kurooi

Once they're in the house you've to kill them, get good heavy traps, bit of peanut butter does the trick. There isn't a merciful way out of it if one lives there will be 10 next month and sealing points of entry doesn't do anything about them.

I had an infestation killed maybe 10-15 before they stopped. I would discourage using poison.

Examine your surrounding area, get rid of any trash, shelter for them, consider doing away with some foliage, set some traps under decking or porches where cats can't get into. if you're feeding birds, sadly, stop that.

kirk.

They're probably not getting into the house if you've sealed all round

You'll have to trap them quick as possible

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526246#Comment_121526246

As I said we are catching them. Peanut butter is doing the trick. But I want to try stop them getting in. We have cleared around the house and do so on a daily basis. We have a dog so area needs to be clean for him. I clear up after him daily/twice daily no food left out. Bins away from house. Sweep up and leafs or anything that would give shelter

chrisd2019

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526435#Comment_121526435

Be patient, traps and bait are effective. Mice are part of life in Ireland, both rural and urban.

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121525116#Comment_121525116

Borrow a cat for a day or so? Let him in the attic..

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526579#Comment_121526579

Yeah I was thinking that too but don’t know neighbours that well to adk

kirk.

Cat not much use if the house is sealed now

Ya wanna be setting about 10 traps

geographica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526097#Comment_121526097

You wouldn’t see this entry point unless there’s evidence around the grounds of tunnelling or you kango up the footpath around the house

geographica

Also have you an oil burner or?

Sonic the Shaghog

It's right pain and unfortunately even a new house doesn't mean you'll get away with it.

It could be a case that you were unlucky and a pregnant one got in and had litter, you'd be surprised how common this is in winter. Or as you said it was empty for a long time, don't want to upset you but could a lot of em just don't see them.

My only advice is plenty of poison in the attic and plenty of good traps in the attic and each room seeing as you mentioned they got to the kitchen. It'll take time but you'll have to clear it out unless ye want try and get exterminators advice.

I will say the old fashioned Luna wooden traps I swear by, peanut butter is the best as it hardens and they really have to go at the trap, never fails.

For what it's worth on the fear side I always hated the little **** but don't bother me now when I've some caught, amazing how you can go from creeped out to just pissed off lol

mickdw

We have great success with external bait boxes.

Also if you are in semi d, I'd say there is a pathway for them from neighbours house along roof soffit.

They do tend to get into external wall cavities and as such will find their way to attic and possibly 1st floor floor void and even stud walls.

I also believe the electronic repellers are effective specially in a semi as the mice will move next door if a path exists.

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526683#Comment_121526683

gas

saabsaab

I read that some city in America sponsored a cat shelter programme. The area was overrun with rats etc. The plan involved putting an insulated cat bedding box under family houses if the family agreed to feed their cat. Worked a treat.

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526696#Comment_121526696

Yeah I’m more annoyed 😂😂😂 oh we’ve plenty of poison and I think last count 6 traps and one rat trap.

I tried the poison around the house in the bait traps but it was never touched.

I was told by a farmer 4 corners of the garden as they’ll go in a straight line?!? Not sure but it was never touched.

we catch one then nothing for a while then another. Traps a set constantly and regularly checked. Last night was first night I actually heard one and it tipped me over the edge. Nothing in trap as of yet. The husband was out so the fear was heightened

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526706#Comment_121526706

I had them and never touched. I had the garden full of them.

I have the plug ins in all rooms bar one. I’ve no socket on the attic other than that I’d put one up there too. Apparently doesn’t prevent just makes it uncomfortable for them to stay.

there is a lot of trees and bushes next door so think they may be using that to climb and get in through the roof. But they little things can get in anywhere 😭

saabsaab

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526734#Comment_121526734

The plug-in devices only deter and won't get rid of them I'm told. Useful once you get shut of the ones that have set up home.

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526719#Comment_121526719

😂😂😂

bluey2023

saabsaab

Registered Users

Posts: 7,161 ✭✭✭22-12-2023 3:31pm

bluey20233:26 pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526706#Comment_121526706

I had them and never touched. I had the garden full of them. 

I have the plug ins in all rooms bar one. I’ve no socket on the attic other than that I’d put one up there too. Apparently doesn’t prevent just makes it uncomfortable for them to stay. 

there is a lot of trees and bushes next door so think they may be using that to climb and get in through the roof. But they little things can get in anywhere 😭

The plug-in devices only deter and won't get rid of them I'm told. Useful once you get shut of the ones that have set up home.

yeah had them since we’ve moved in

Sonic the Shaghog

Actually they do tend to hug walls aka follow a straight path I was once told so usually set straps in the corners or along by the skirting

At this stage I'd just set a couple in every room to try and be done with it.

God you are giving me flashbacks. They used get into the hot press here and what was worse we fitted a stove and they were able get out a long the new pipes and into the sitting room, I chanced expanding foam at the top of the tank to the attic and I was delighted to have them confined to the attic only at that stage 😂

With luck once you clear this lot you might not get many for a while hopefully but I don't think you'll ever totally stop them getting in for good unless you live in a iron box.

Trick will be in future once you hear one set up traps don't do what did I and forget and before I knew it I had 12 caught 😭

SharkMX

Friend of mine works for a huge pest control company doing research on bait and traps. He told me that EVERY house has mice. They come in when the weather starts to get cold, have babies and you get more mice until the spring and they move out again.

He said they sneak in the door faster than the eye can see when you open it. In windows. Up down pipes or along branches or wires and on to the roof and then under the eaves. They can run up the vertical wall of your house to your roof in less that a second. Bricks and dash especially. 99% of them will find their way to the attic as nobody disturbs them there and you might not even ever be aware of your housemates during the winter. You might hear the odd one scratching at the top of the plaster slab on your ceiling if they are building a nest in there and thats when you realize you have guests.

Cats make no difference in a house to mice. 99% of the time they stay where a cat wont get them. Cats only catch them outdoors and even thats only young cats and when they are bored and looking for something to play with. Those plug in deterrents are 100% useless. Dont use poison inside because sometimes they die in your walls or attic somewhere you cant reach and stink your house out. You dont want one to die in your house where you cant find it. The smell stays for a couple of months. Imagine living in a house with the smell of death for a couple of months.

The Continental Op

The poison needs to go in the roof. A couple of bait boxes and check them regularly.

The reason I say to put the poison in the roof is the little buggers can climb vertical walls. If you have pebble dash then its easy for them.

Then if you do get them under control put a note in your diary to check the bait boxes at least once a month and more (weekly) if there are signs that the bait has been eaten.

saabsaab

I've read that Jeyes fluid solution sprayed onto their living areas and around is a strong deterrent.

bluey2023

Thanks everyone. No one with a miracle cure unfortunately. We’ve had traps set since summer time so we were prepared. the more I find out about them the more I feel like crying. Lived in an apartment for years and never had them but did in home place. They are so dirty and quick is the problem. We will continue the fight and muster on.

thanks again

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121526827#Comment_121526827

Sorry to say I don't agree with some bits of the above.

2 years ago I had an infestation of mice in a previous house. It was my own fault as I had left the back door open at times. I had 2 cats, one was useless and never even heard them, the other was on high alert immediately. Within 2 days she caught 7 in the kitchen presses and drawers.... killed them all. That was the end of it. No more returned.

Just a month ago in the house I'm in now (a different one) I heard scratching in the roof and running around for 2 nights in a row. I immediately got a plug in and put in on the highest setting (which humans can also hear) and the next day the scratching stopped and hasn't returned 4 weeks later. So both the cat and the plug ins worked in my case!

I also used plug ins in my friends house in a rural area, the house is often vacant..... it was absolutely teeming with mice when I went to stay there in September for a few days. Got 2 plug ins and surprisingly again within 2 days they were gone! (I also cleared any food out).

P.S. Never use bait, its poisonous for all animals, bats, birds, cats, dogs and anything that might pick at a dead mouse that has eaten it. Never recommended.

malinheader

I set the small pre baited mouse traps and even put more peanut butter into them.i caught two mice but nothing since. I baited a spring rat trap with peanut butter and the peanut butter is still disappearing but not being set off. I have 2 rat traps and 4 mouse traps all baited with peanut butter for 2 weeks now and nothing. It's driving me crazy. Any ideas what is wrong.

mickdw

I find traps hit and miss. Some are too hard to set off so mice have a field day.

I'd imagine a mouse might be able to climb all over a rat trap and not trigger it.

tabby aspreme

Its no bother to mice to climb external walls, so check where the soffit boards meet the walls for small holes

Deminiman

They can also follow the electrical cables into the house, check your electricity meter, where the wores enter should be sealed, lots aren’t, had this problem before. They were following the wire and up into the attic through the cavity wall, worth checking to rule it out.

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121527231#Comment_121527231

Could you let me know why plug ins you used as I have 4 of them. Seems to be stopping them down stairs just not in the attic

bluey2023

@malinheader we had those pre baited ones useless. Old school wooden ones that they have to tug on a bit. Also we ended up with a shrew which was very difficult to catch we didn’t know at the time. We were feeding him for 3-4 days as none of the traps were going off. Neighbour gave us a loan of ones she got off Amazon and got him within the day. We could not understand how we weren’t catching it but it was so small it wasn’t setting off the trap

malinheader

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121527615#Comment_121527615

Thanks. I never thought of that but it's certainly a good possibility. I was thinking of trying them sticky mats if I could source them.

bluey2023

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121527648#Comment_121527648

Yeah you’d try anything. The wooden ones seem to be the best from euro shop or woodies. We have ones from woodies and they are very sensitive. Sometimes if we bang the attic door they go off.

kirk.

Wooden is hard to set

I've a plastic trap and it'd catch anything was 2 in in it one-time

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121527594#Comment_121527594

I got them on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BVV1PRPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you can't view that its the Aribio Ultrasonic Pest Repellent brand on Amazon. I found them great, good luck with them and the new baby!

Sonic the Shaghog

Ya it's strange everywhere I've read says the sonic yokes are no use.

But in the house here we had one plugged in continuously for years and no mice.

When it died and never was replaced they were back that winter 🤷‍♂️

kirk.

Don't think that's true either about the mice being in every house

I think you can mostly keep them out

Field east

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121527289#Comment_121527289

The rat trap might be too ‘heave duty’ for mice to trip it?

Field east

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121527594#Comment_121527594

Re no plug in attic- use a extension cable

Field east

Do you have an island kitchen with eg sink? Check all pipes servicing it.

Might be no harm to dig down around outside perimeter wall to see if all blocks -if concrete blocks used- are laid touching eachother with no gaps.

Get an ‘ independant observer’ to go over the outside of house with her/his ‘razor eyes’ to check again for possible entry points.

EVERY TIME YOU GO IN Or OUT OF THE HOUSE CLOSE THE DOOR AFTER YOU

Have you checked behind every piece of furniture, etc, for openings.

Mice can enter an opening the thickness of a biro if not slightly smaller

Check all your food storage areas - especially in kitchen- for signs of mice.

Are outside bins mouse proof. Secure all food scraps outside of house

PS all of above suggestions are based on 20 years experience of keeping them ‘under control’ - have had 99.99 % success.

PSS have u checked with your simi detached neighbour re they having problem. Maybe they might not be as upset as you and are tolerating a certain level of infestation and therefor ‘ supporting your ‘lot’

holliehobbie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121527648#Comment_121527648

Those sticky traps should be banned! The poor mice will gnaw their own legs off to escape them. They are really brutal things.