How to get rid of mice

[Katjon]

We've been invaded by mice, badly. They ruined *Everything* in the pantry that wasn't in a jar, can or plastic storage tub. With the cost of food it hurt so badly seeing all that food going into the trash, some of hadn't even been opened yet! I am now in the process of having to wash everything that was savable. Hubbie wants me to run it all through the dishwasher to guarentee it's clean enough and write in marker what's in the container since the labels would all come off obviously, it was that bad.
In the past week we've caught 11 of them, we're still hearing scratching in the attic (above my poor sons room, he's sleeping in ours more nights than not because of it-the attic does not go over our bedroom, we've got a vaulted ceiling). They just keep coming. It's the little grey mice BTW that we've got.
While we're not totally sure how they are getting in we have some ideas. We're going to be ordering our new garage door this weekend (ours is severely warped so they'd get under it with no effort at all). The pantry shares a common wall with the garage. We're going to be doing a few other things this weekend to try to screen off any outside areas they might be using to get in. But we have to deal with those that are inside too.
Are there any natural repelants we could use to drive them out and keep them out? We have 2 children as well as 2 indoor cats, both of which are elderly and one of which is ill so we want to keep it safe for them. I especially want something to drive them out of the attic.
Do those sonic things work? Anyone tried them? I thought of putting one in my son's room since it seems obvious that they like that area of the house.
Any help or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Tilia]

Wow, I am so sorry! Sounds yucky. I have heard of the sonic thing, but I am not sure if they work or not. A friend is trying them out in another town, because they are having sewer rat problems because of all the flooding. The rats are trying to come out of the tub drain and into the house. There is no place for them to go because the sewer is so high.

You will have to check to make sure you can use the plug-in sonic thing with cats. I hope it is safe with them.

Also, I believe that mice hate peppermint. I put peppermint essential oil in all of our drawers and cupboards to get a jump on mice this past winter. We have an old house with a crawl space. I know we have mice downstairs but I am not sure if they come up or not.

[Katjon]

I wasn't even thinking the sonic things might not be good for the cats. I will definitely have to check on that.
I have peppermint oil in the medicine cabinet...hum...might throw a few cotton balls with that on it into the attic and see if anything happens.
Thanks

[MisaGoat]

I am sorry you have mice. It really is awful to deal with.

We had them in our last place and we moved out.

Make sure all food (trash, compost) is secured to not attract mice. After we noticed we had mice we put all the remaining food in a big plastic bin with a tight fitting lid. I also bought packaged foods (granola bars etc) so I knew they were 'clean'.

Look at your soffits and foundation for any cracks or ways they might be getting in. Our house had cracks in the foundation and missing pieces of soffit which is why we moved when the landlady refused to do anything. Also look at where wires and pipes enter your house. Rake up the yard to make sure there isn't any debris around your house.

We set traps but never caught any of the mice. Our cat caught two. Finally we just put out the poison (after weeks of having mice) when we were out of town for a week. We came back and the house smelled horrible and we moved out the next week.

It makes me cringe to remember it. Be careful when you clean up their mess because they can carry disease that can be passed by handling them or their urine/feces.

Good luck I hope you get rid of them soon.

[Katjon]

We're in the process of getting a lot more plastic tubs to put things in, everything that can get put in one will make it in one this time.
We did have a lot of stuff in open top plastic bins. They chewed the holes bigger so they could squeeze through to get to stuff, from the top things looked OK, they were getting to the stuff on the bottom. The tip off was the off smell and we finally saw droppings along with some nuts they had pulled out and left on the shelf. It wasn't until we got in there that we realixed how bad things were.
It really is a mess to deal with.
We already know some of the places they're probably coming in from, a couple of them are big things to deal with-like the gearage door. Until we can deal with the bigger stuff that they're obviously using the smaller stuff is just the tip of the iceberg if that makes since.

[cristeen]

Pick yourself up a box of mint tea (the kind that is JUST mint). Unwrap the bags and tuck them into the corners of your pantry. Mice hate the smell of mint, and it doesn't bother mice or kids unless they're sensitive to mint. We used to have mice that would come play in the utensil drawer, I'd have to run everything through the dishwasher every couple weeks. I put a mint bag in the drawer and we haven't had a problem since (over a year now).

[Katjon]

Originally Posted by cristeen

Pick yourself up a box of mint tea (the kind that is JUST mint). Unwrap the bags and tuck them into the corners of your pantry. Mice hate the smell of mint, and it doesn't bother mice or kids unless they're sensitive to mint. We used to have mice that would come play in the utensil drawer, I'd have to run everything through the dishwasher every couple weeks. I put a mint bag in the drawer and we haven't had a problem since (over a year now).

I will have to pick some up tomorrow. Have you needed to change out the bags every so often, just curious.

[marlyninla]

You need new cats! Sorry! I'm sure you love your pets but man there is nothing like a good mouser!

Second, third, fourth the mint suggestion. Also, food storage in plastic isn't very mouse proof. I would try to get everything in glass. Plain old mason jars make good cheap glass storage. We have never had a mouse problem inside -- thank god -- but we have battled the evil pantry bugs and getting EVERYTHING in sealed glass was a major help.

Good luck!

[Ms. Mom]

We had them last year in my old house. Try to find where they're getting in and nesting and close off those areas, this will help you in controlling them. I also would go for the mint. EOs will not retain the smell for long so do go for the fresh mint. I had a small try of fresh mint in the kitchen window and would clip it and place it in drawers and cupboards. I would place it in fresh and then just crumble it around once it dried out. About once a week or so, sweep it up and start again.


Try soaking your dishes in the sink with some white vinegar and lemon juice. Just let them soak an hour or two and then let them dry (don't rinse) this should ensure they are sterilized.

[frog]

Originally Posted by Jacque Savageau

We had them last year in my old house. Try to find where they're getting in and nesting and close off those areas, this will help you in controlling them.

The best way is to stuff ALL holes/gaps with steel wool.

[Katjon]

I've got Dewey pest control coming out today. My husband's had enough, frankly so have I. He's going to try to help me figure out how they've gotten in and help me seal it off. I'm going to be careful with what he offers because I don't want anything dangerous going in the house for the rest of us.
I know I'm going to get lectured about the yard, my husband started a new job recently which has involved a good deal of commuting until they get his equipment so he can work from home (he was hired as work at home primarily) and he's had to travel. Everything in the yard gives me hives or asthma attacks-from the intentional grass and plants to the weeds-so I can't touch it and he's not been here to take care of it. It's on our list but it's a wee bit over grown at the moment.
Plastic doesn't work with mice? I'm scared to use glass because my 4 & 7 year olds have a really bad habit of helping themselves and I'd be afraid of the damage they could do with glass containers. They drop the plastic all the time. Although that would be an inexpensive thing for all the little things like raisins and dried fruits when we buy it in bulk, it's going to be expensive getting all the plastic needed for everything.
I'm now so tempted to plant mint by the side of the house. I love it a lot anyway and if mice don't it's all the more reason to. Can cats eat mint?

[gardenmommy]

I am all for natural methods of repelling mice, but... When you are overrun (which we have been), you really have to just pull out the big guns to get it under control, IMO. We have a cat (two now) who both mouse and keep the population down. We had to finally resort to the poison (which is not my first choice by any means) because our cat couldn't keep up with them, and she couldn't really get at where they were hiding. I don't like the poison, I don't want it around my children or pets. I don't want the risk of accidental poisoning, plus I don't think it's very enviromentally friendly. It did get the job done, however, and we haven't needed to use it since.

To keep them away once you get the situation under control: use the mint, plug their entrance holes with steel wool, get at least one new cat that will mouse.

[marlyninla]

Originally Posted by Katjon

I've got Dewey pest control coming out today. My husband's had enough, frankly so have I. He's going to try to help me figure out how they've gotten in and help me seal it off. I'm going to be careful with what he offers because I don't want anything dangerous going in the house for the rest of us.
I know I'm going to get lectured about the yard, my husband started a new job recently which has involved a good deal of commuting until they get his equipment so he can work from home (he was hired as work at home primarily) and he's had to travel. Everything in the yard gives me hives or asthma attacks-from the intentional grass and plants to the weeds-so I can't touch it and he's not been here to take care of it. It's on our list but it's a wee bit over grown at the moment.
Plastic doesn't work with mice? I'm scared to use glass because my 4 & 7 year olds have a really bad habit of helping themselves and I'd be afraid of the damage they could do with glass containers. They drop the plastic all the time. Although that would be an inexpensive thing for all the little things like raisins and dried fruits when we buy it in bulk, it's going to be expensive getting all the plastic needed for everything.
I'm now so tempted to plant mint by the side of the house. I love it a lot anyway and if mice don't it's all the more reason to. Can cats eat mint?

I would think a determined mouse could chew through plastic (plus I'm anti plastic -- LOL). I definitely understand how you wouldn't want the little ones dropping glass though -- I guess that's a bridge I'll cross when they start helping themselves (mine are 3 and 21 months!). They drink from glass now though and also push there chairs in the pantry and get the jars down and carry them to the counter and we haven't had any disasters. Anyway, OT from the mice discussion -- sorry!

[Katjon]

Originally Posted by gardenmommy

I am all for natural methods of repelling mice, but... When you are overrun (which we have been), you really have to just pull out the big guns to get it under control, IMO. We have a cat (two now) who both mouse and keep the population down. We had to finally resort to the poison (which is not my first choice by any means) because our cat couldn't keep up with them, and she couldn't really get at where they were hiding. I don't like the poison, I don't want it around my children or pets. I don't want the risk of accidental poisoning, plus I don't think it's very enviromentally friendly. It did get the job done, however, and we haven't needed to use it since.

To keep them away once you get the situation under control: use the mint, plug their entrance holes with steel wool, get at least one new cat that will mouse.

I'm afraid we'll have to go the poison route in this case as well, much as I loathe the idea. But it seems pretty bad.
We can't get any new cats at the moment. Our oldest is very ill and taking care of him is a rough job, we're almost at the point where we can't anymore. My husband said we're not getting anymore until he dies, at which point I might be allowed to get 2 kittens along with the other cat we have now. Our other cat I am certain would catch mice if she saw them actually. She brings me all sorts of things. She still seems keen on hunting, even if it is the kids' toys and my duster LOL. I have not seen signs of the mice anywhere but in the pantry and garage plus the sounds from the attic. We also have some neighborhood outdoor cats/strays maybe who like our yard a lot. I wonder if they are in our yard because of the mice. I just looked out the kitchen window a few minutes ago and the one that's here every day is sitting out there again.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Katjon

I will have to pick some up tomorrow. Have you needed to change out the bags every so often, just curious.

Nope. I check it very often to see if I can still smell it. When the answer is no, then I'll change them.

Originally Posted by Katjon

I'm now so tempted to plant mint by the side of the house. I love it a lot anyway and if mice don't it's all the more reason to. Can cats eat mint?

Catnip is in the mint family. Just be aware that mint is invasive, so wherever you plant it, it will eventually take over.

I understand wanting to get rid of them, but before going to poison, I would highly suggest taking some of the suggestions here... mint, steel wool, and airtight food containers, even if they're plastic (but hard plastic like tupperware/rubbermaid, not soft plastic like baggies).

I do know that we thought for the longest time that our one cat was too stupid to mouse, but we discovered last week that he's not... apparently he just eats them instead of presenting them like the other cat does. Do the cats have access to where the food is stored? Don't forget mice are nocturnal, so the cats are most likely to find them while you're in bed.

[wendinbill]

We had them bad about a year or so ago-and they had babies! It was a daily adventure for awhile. I have three cats, one is good at mousing outside, and one is good at it inside. We do set traps, but only where the kids/cats cannot get to. (say, in a closet or something) I was getting them in our toothbrush drawer! (GAG) The hole in the back of my vanity was open enough around the pipes-so someone told me to crunch up foil & stuff in there. So that has worked wonders. Steel wool works too. I made sure I put everything in containers that I had-flour, sugar, choc. chips, pasta, rice, etc. Even a ziploc will work, if you can win the battle.

Good luck!

[LaughingHyena]

I have heard that the smell of cats is off putting to mice. Teh suggestion was that you wipe around the cats ears with a soft washcloth (the areas the cat rubs on you when rubbing against your ankles) then put the washcloths where you are having the mouse problem.

I have no ideas if this works, I've been fortunate enough not to have to try it. Assume your cat's don't mind though it seems like it's worth trying.

[DashsMama]

Hi, I wanted to mention that those sonic mouse/bug repellers do not work. Study after study has been done, and they are useless.

I know what you're going through. We had a bad mouse infestation last year. We ended up having to put everything in our pantry up on high shelves (mice can jump up to 13 inches) or in glass jars.

I finally got an adult cat from the Humane Society and he has done a wonderful job getting rid of them. He eats the whole mouse too, so I don't have to deal with the poor little things' bodies. He's a real sweetheart of a cat, even lets the baby smoosh him.

I really like mice and used to enjoy watching them scamper around the kitchen floor. I kind of miss them.

[Katjon]

I've taken a lot of this great advice and putting it into action. We did have someone from Dewey Pest control come out to have a look around. He recons the scratching from the attic isn't mice but rats, they're most likely jumping over from my neighbors olive tree that's getting very close to our roof now. He looked for points of entry and offered some suggestions. We're going to be filling some of them with expandable foam (around some A/C piping and such). We're still catching them in glue traps(I hate those thing ) in the pantry and still don't see signs of them anywhere else.
We're putting everything that's going back into the pantry into some kind of container, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with things that come in jars or cans already. I've been having to wash every single thing that was in the pantry because they got droppings on the lids or along the bottoms. There were a couple places in the pantry he thought they were coming in from. There are these 2 weird pipes capped off with duct tape that we have no idea what they may have been for (the house is 30yrs old and we've only had it 5-my mom thinks it might have been a wet bar before it was a pantry), there is a huge area cut out around them. I filled it with steel wool but it's not enough, we're going to fill it with expandable foam.
Once we show signs of having cleared out the mice that are in the house already I'm going to start putting mint in the cupboards to try to keep them out. My husband is concerned with filling in all their openings lest they find new ones, he wants to make sure we get them all out of here and then make sure we don't get new ones again.
We're also going to be taking down the old shed next to our house and replacing it with a new one that goes up against the fence instead.
Thank you for the advice on the sonic things. I won't waste my money if they don't work. I called my vet and they couldn't give me an answer about their safety for the cats, they decided to say they figured they would.
We are doing everything to avoid poison still, the glue traps are bad enough
Thanks again! Hopefully we'll have this over with soon.
Good news...I might be getting a new pantry out of all of this. The particle board shelves are so ruined from years of contact papers and heavy things on them and such that we can't seem to get them clean at all, certainly not enough that we'd want to put food back on them. Hubbies ready to have it knocked completely out and replaced. I'm kind of liking that part LOL

[frog]

Originally Posted by cristeen

Catnip is in the mint family. Just be aware that mint is invasive, so wherever you plant it, it will eventually take over.

It won't spread if you plant it first in a container, then plant the container. Just make sure it's not a biodegradable container.