Getting rid of mice without poison

[blaze]

Is it possible?

I *think* I've removed any food sources for them... but they're still hanging out.

I really don't want to use poison, but finding their little turds really ruins my appetite. x(

[beac]

1. Have you tried mint?

We had one a couple of years ago who kept showing up in our bathroom (presumably drawn by the natural wheat litter in the cat's box). I read that they hate mint, so I bought some fresh springs and put them under the radiator. The mouse disappeared shortly thereafter and we haven't seen once since (I mint-ify the bathroom each winter, just in case.)

And no, the cat didn't take care of the little guy. She, alas, is no mouser.

[GoCubsGo]

2. If a cat doesn't work, you could try one of these

Corn snakes and other rat snakes not only love mice, they're really docile critters. You can find some really beautiful captive-breds, which come in a huge, beautiful assortment of colors.

Or, you could try live traps: http://www.victorpest.com/store/rodent-control/live-mouse-trap. Catch them, and let them go outside. Just be sure to find and plug the holes that they're using to come inside.

I have read that Bounce dryer sheets repel mice, along with doing a zillion other things. Also, some suggest putting out little trays of fresh, used kitty litter. Not sure I'd want to try that one. It doesn't seem very hygienic.

[blaze]

4. Heh... maybe not :)

As for the live traps, not sure where I would release them... In the park? Would that make them instant lunch for other critters? I think I prefer the idea of repelling them and letting them find their own new homes.

And BLECH on the used litter idea!! :rofl:

Thanks! :)

[blaze]

3. Interesting

I will definitely try this!

Thanks! :hi:

[Curmudgeoness]

5. I get 10-20 mice a year in the house, and I have given up the

catch and release. I refuse to use poison or sticky traps because of the agony they cause. The only thing that has worked for me is the Victor spring traps. Quick and efficient, although I am always saddened to have taken a life.

But I think I may try that mint suggestion. I have a shitload of mint that has invaded every inch of my garden (my mint garden now), so I will put it to good use and see how that goes.

[trud]

6. mice in car

I had mice set up housekeeping in a car that sits in my garage. I read that peppermint oil repels them, so after having major cleanup done on the car (including removing seat stuffing, shampooing the carpet, etc.) I saturated pieces of cotton with it and left them in several places (front seat, back seat, trunk). So far so good. I put the cotton in open old pill bottles so as not to stain stuff.

[xmas74]

7. If you want them dead

Pepsi in a margarine lid. They'll drink it and then die.

I don't know why but I remember reading it in Mother Earth years ago. A coworker swears it works.

[Paper Roses]

8. I Have a new kitty, Let's see what happens. Once my old kitty

found a field mouse in the house. The mouse was so cute. Still alive, I grabbed the mouse and let him loose in a field nearby. Could not face the results cat/vs/mouse.

I know I get a few mice in the cellar during the winter but they seem to do no damage. I put out Decon...with reservations. Now I have furry kitty to take care of things. Don't really know which way is more merciful but we'll see if new kitty can do the job. This old house has a stone foundation with openings that will allow a mouse to enter. Never had an in-house problem but don't want one either.

[marybourg]

9. Mouse Boards:

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=mouse+boards&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=16638630747390816020&sa=X&ei=i6iXTemiLpDksQOMkoTTBQ&ved=0CC0Q8wIwAg#

[Curmudgeoness]

10. Nooooooooooo! No mouse boards!

This is such an inhumane way to kill mice. Unless you are willing to check them every hour and use a hammer on the mice who get stuck there. Ask yourself what would kill the mice trapped by these boards. How long would it take? How much would they suffer before they died?

I don't care if it is just a mouse, or that it shouldn't be in your house.

[no_hypocrisy]

11. I went to the root of the problem.

I found holes in the wall by the heating baseboard large enough to insert my fist.

I bought steel wool (sans soap) pads and stuffed them in the spaces. And I've put every item of food that was wrapped in paper or cardboard in a plastic or glass encasement.

No sign of the critters since then.

[Curmudgeoness]

12. Good for you! I always take my used Brillo pads to stick in a few

tiny spots that I think could allow mice in the house.

[no_hypocrisy]

13. That's my remedy too. I get non-soap steel wool at Home Depot.