Home Improvement > Pest ControlApril 21, 2010

Keeping Mice Out of My House

I moved into a new construction 3 years ago. Since then, I've been having problems with mice. I'm not sure where they are coming from. I make sure doors are closed because there is construction around the area where I live and I know rodents tend to roam those areas. Despite of my efforts, I keep on finding mice droppings.

At first, I would find droppings inside my cabinets. Since there is no food in any of my lower cabinets, the mice are now outside in my kitchen area.

I've used traps and just this year I've caught 4. Where could they be coming from and more importantly how can I make sure they stop coming in?

By Ponce from Chicago, IL

Answers

Read answers for this post below.

By
07/17/2010

Go to amazon.com they have a good variety of easy, inexpensive, non-toxic, humane mouse catchers.

By
04/22/2010

I've heard they dislike steel wool, so it you put it in cracks they won't come in. But, in the end, the cat is the key. Not all cats are mousers, however. We have two and one is and the other is not!

By
04/22/2010

If you do use cats as mousers keep in mind that they can get worms from the mice and should be checked for them periodically. Mice can squeeze through extra tiny spaces so do a thorough check of every little crevice and find an appropriate way to seal them up.

By
04/22/2010

The long term solution here is to get a cat. It is a cat's job to rid our homes of rodents. That is why we domesticated them in the first place.

Cats are very little trouble. Get two so they can keep each other company. And if you want them to keep mice out of your house, you have to let them in the house. And no declawing. These are supposed to be working cats.

Cats also are good company, cuddly, and are good stress relievers. There is nothing like a purring cat on your lap to make you feel content.

Some cats are better hunters than others, and females are often the better hunters. However, I have a neutered tom that is a wanton killer--mice, birds, squirrels, even once, a jackrabbit!

By
04/22/2010

I don't know about you, but I hate mice in my house or even anywhere near it. And I don't want to have to get rid of the dead stinky things either. When we lived in the country we had them in our house when we moved in. Upon the recommendation of my sister, who also lived in the country, we bought Riddex. It plugs in and they worked! We lived there for 5 years and I never again saw a mouse in my house or evidence that any had been there.

If you have more than one level you will need to buy more than one Riddex. But they are so worth the money. We have since moved to a home more in town, but I have my Riddex plugged in here too. I would not be without them. Give them a try! And no I do not get anything for promoting this product other than a rodent free home and I don't have to invest a lot of money taking care of a cat.

By
04/21/2010

Mice are cute little critters but, we don't want them running amok in our homes-I totally agree with Cyinda, but, please be a loving cat person. Cats are so cool. Please don't take one into you're home unless you can relate to them. If you can relate to them they will be you're best friend. You'll be surprised how tight friends you will become.

By
04/21/2010

We were plagued with mice & we tried everything! Every sort of trap, bate & poison. Nothing worked! Until we got a mouser! Smokey was a stray cat, left to live in a parking lot of my daughter's apartments by someone who moved away & left him on his own, so we figured we could give him a better home where he could be fed every day & still live outside & sleep in our garage. But we fell in love with the little fella & now he has the run of the house & goes outside too... & let me tell you, not only has he take care of the mice situation, he has gotten rid of our severe mole problem too! We thought having a pet would be a hassle, but he's easy to care for & makes us smile!

Go to a shelter & find yourself a cat that's lived on his or her own for a time, these are the very best hunters!
Shelter cats come already vaccinated & neutered, so this will save you money too! I knew a guy who kept his garbage on his porch until he'd get enough to go to the dump, & I always wondered why he never had a mouse or rat problem, so I asked him & he said there were 2 stray cats who lived in the neighborhood that he'd sometimes feed & they kept the mice away!

Since you live in the land of cold winters, you'll have to let your cat inside when it's cold or you'll have to buy a heated pad for his cat-house. When we first got Smokey, before we let him inside the house, we put a kitty door in our enclosed back porch so he could come inside & we bought a heated pet pad with a thermostat & put this on top of a soft bed made from a folded blanket. It was up off the ground & he slept there every night. Not only did he get rid of all the mice we had, but he continually keeps them out!

By
11/08/2005

Does anyone have some tips or ideas from keeping a little mouse from ruining my kitchen? This mouse poops on my countertop and gets into my drawers. He comes out at night. I am petrified of mice and can't get myself to set a trap. Please help. Thank you!

Rhonda from Pennsylvania

Questions

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Keeping Mice Out of Your Home

Who can seal the perimeter of my home/ I'm having problems with mice. Orkin suggested I get it done so I can keep the mice out.

By Margaret

 

Most Recent Answer

By ILuvDobes 08/25/2011

Cats do not keep mice away. A good exterminator will seal your home to where they cannot enter.

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Does anyone have an idea on how to stop mice from entering an older house? We put steel wool around the places where the pipes come in.


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