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budster_gw

Help with mouse.....

budster
20 years ago

For the first time we spied a mouse in the house. Have no idea how it got in but perhaps because we had the patio door open...this is the very first time we noticed anything. I have pulled out the boxes and vacummed behind the freezer where it scooted behind when I went looking for it. I don't know where it went. So far have seen no droppings, which someone told me look like small dark rice grains? Anyway have now put 3 baited traps in that general area and have 3 upstairs.....I think I will go and buy a few more tomorrow and really lay them around. My question...how long should I leave the traps in one spot? A few days? I was told to bait them with a bit of peanut butter - how much a dab? I used a bit more than a dab. Any chances it will leave on its own? I was looking at the poison seed looking stuff and wonder if I should lay some of that out...I have no pets and no small children. But I just am nervous over the whole thing. My basement is full of packed boxes which I planned on sorting and clearing....so I am looking for any advice on how to get rid of this unwelcome guest...I hope he/she didn't bring a family along. Thank you

Comments (12)

  • trekaren
    20 years ago

    I think if you've already trapped, you will be ok. If he is still there, he'll be caught. But like you said, he may be long gone.

    I personally would not do the poison, due to the risk that the little guy will go off in an inaccessible area of the house and die, which would be an even worse problem.

    If you do trap him, a simple but useful tip I heard. Take a garbage bag, put your hand in it, and pick up the dead mouse that way. Then turn the bag inside out and Voila, he's bagged and you haven't had to touch him!

  • janMD
    20 years ago

    Don't use poison. There is nothing worse than a dead mouse that you can't locate. Also, with traps you'll know if you got him.

  • gina_in_fl
    20 years ago

    Go to hardware store, buy six pack of mouse traps. Use peanut butter as bait. Put them facing wall as opposed to along with wall. Short side to wall. Bait side towards wall.

  • browntoestoo
    20 years ago

    I had mice that would eat the bait (peanut butter) and not trip the trap. I got some live catch traps. They worked. Released some really freaked out mice into a field far away from home.

  • crystal01
    20 years ago

    I found a mouse living in my SUV! Still haven't figured out how he got in but I found his little trail in my cup holder (YUK!!!) I immediately went to CVS and bought an enclosed trap (I can't stand the sight if these guys) put PB in it and got him over night. I since put the trap in the garage where we have a lot of boxes stored and have caught one other.

  • nycefarm_gw
    20 years ago

    Just feel secure that if you have mice, that means you don't have snakes... (I still trap them though)
    Val

  • mjsee
    20 years ago

    I'm always glad when i see the black snakes that live in my yard--because it means I don't have mice! Though I wish they'd eat the chipmunks as well. I'd MUCH rather hae a 6ft blacksnake (and I do!) living in my yard than a mouse in my cupboards...

    Viva la difference!

    melanie

  • Lars
    20 years ago

    Bait the traps with chocolate instead of peanut butter. If the chocolate is hard, they won't be able to lick it off. This is what professional exterminators use. I've used it too, and it seems irresistable to mice. It must be an attractive presentation, however, or else they may not be interested.

    I don't mind snakes outside, but when they hide in the silverware drawer, I draw the line.

    Lars

  • lindac
    20 years ago

    Blue cheese is the best mouse trap bait......the odor travels far! LOL!
    Linda C

  • doucanoe
    20 years ago

    All of a sudden it seems we have a ton of mice around our place. We live in the woods and they have invaded our shed, built a nest in our gas grill and now they are beginning to come into the house!!
    I don't use poison because I read somewhere that if they eat it and run outside to die and a hawk or owl eat them, the hawk or owl can be poisoned as well. (We are bird-lovers). I have set traps, but we have two dogs and I don't want to "trap" them. I don't like cats, but have considered getting one, however we have several bird feeders, and I really don't want the cat to get the birds. What do I do?

  • Loretta NJ Z6
    20 years ago

    doucanoe,
    have you considered that your bird feeders are attracting the mice?

    Buster,
    I have had the occasional mouse. Not sure how they get in but the most I've had at a time was one or two. I got a mouse cube from Walmart which is a live mouse trap. I put peanutbutter on a cracker and stuck it against the wall opposite the trap door. Then smear the trap door to get the smell on it. Worked very quickly for me. The first mouse was caught within an hour of putting it down. Then I drive it to the nearby woods and release them. Need to put the trap inside a box while transporting so it won't get out. And be careful not to tip the door open while getting rid of it. Now I leave the trap out all the time, knowing how the mice travel within my house. One good spot was the utility sink in my basement as it provides water and they eat the soap. The other is under my stove as that seems to be how they get upstairs. By leaving them out, I have caught the occasional invader before I even knew they were there. Haven't caught one in a year now but probably just jinxed myself.

  • sundahlia
    20 years ago

    We once had a mouse who couldn't resist Swiss Fudge Cookies. Alas, his older relatives weren't so easily suckered.