Unwelcome visitors

[Mike Sales]

Mice have been invading my kitchen cupboards.
They chew food and leave their droppings everywhere, even in the cutlery drawer.
They like chewing washing up sponges, even the clean, unused ones, and they don't eat the bits, but leave them strewn about the cupboards.
I tried expensive humane traps, but the bait was eaten and the culprits escaped
I tried poundshop cheap traditional pattern. Still took the bait and scarpered.
In desperation I began working on the triggers. Where the bar fits into the bait holder I filed and sanded to a hair trigger, which I set as close to release as possible, at the price of bruised fingers as I learned.
I supposed that they nibble so delicately that they did not move the bait holder, so I tried bait harder to cut, raisins instead of cheese.
In the end I killed the little boggers. Four in four nights, and no more since.

I feel no guilt.

[mercalia]

well keep food in (metal) containers? You bet their cousins will come back

if you leave food out they will come

[Nebulous]

Whilst on a cycle tour throughout S. America, my tent was firstly attacked by; mice in Chile, then rats in Argentina, and finally and fatally by leaf cutter ants in Brazil.

By the time I threw it away, it was more sticky tape patches* than original material. Well, perhaps a slight exaggeration

* Gorilla Tape to the rescue.

[cycleruk]

We had one in our kitchen a couple of years back. Tried a "humane" trap but like yours got in and out. Bought a couple of traps and mouse no more.
Now got a mouse or mouses in the garage but for the life of me I can't find the traps.

[661-Pete]

We've had a rat problem for some years now, but only in the garden so far, thankfully. They seem to love the compost bin - probably because (a) it's warm, and (b) there's lots of edible (?) stuff in there. They chew holes in the side of the (plastic) bin, which I then have to patch up with pieces cut off tin cans.

I've tried setting rat traps - the traditional, spring type, I'm afraid. I have no sympathy for rats, and if they get caught at least it's a quick death.

Well, I caught no rats - but I did catch a woodmouse in one of the traps, which I was a bit upset about, I wasn't out to kill mice in the wild. But that's what happened.

I then tried laying poison. I saw the rats come and take the bait and carry it off, but I've no idea whether they ate it or not. They came back for more.

So no go. The rats haven't been around for some months now (that's tempting fate! ). If they return, should I call in the pros? Rentokil? Pricey!

[Cyril Haearn]

How did they get into your (new?) house, Mike?
..
I find frogs, lizards, worms who get down the steps, I rescue them and put them out in the garden

[pwa]

Mice have been invading my kitchen cupboards.
They chew food and leave their droppings everywhere, even in the cutlery drawer.
They like chewing washing up sponges, even the clean, unused ones, and they don't eat the bits, but leave them strewn about the cupboards.
I tried expensive humane traps, but the bait was eaten and the culprits escaped
I tried poundshop cheap traditional pattern. Still took the bait and scarpered.
In desperation I began working on the triggers. Where the bar fits into the bait holder I filed and sanded to a hair trigger, which I set as close to release as possible, at the price of bruised fingers as I learned.
I supposed that they nibble so delicately that they did not move the bait holder, so I tried bait harder to cut, raisins instead of cheese.
In the end I killed the little boggers. Four in four nights, and no more since.

I feel no guilt.

I had a problem last year and used something like this:

https://diy-pest-control.co.uk/products ... 4521620580

Very effective. Got about ten of the little blighters. Peanut butter as bait.

Trouble is, my target was rats, not mice. The mice were collateral damage. I was trying to ensure the garden shed was completely free of rats, which I think it now is.

[Mike Sales]

well keep food in (metal) containers? You bet their cousins will come back

if you leave food out they will come

The traps are waiting.

[rotavator]

I caught two mice in a trap (of the common lethal type) one night, can anyone beat that?

[Mike Sales]

I had a problem last year and used something like this:

https://diy-pest-control.co.uk/products ... 4521620580

Very effective. Got about ten of the little blighters. Peanut butter as bait.

I saved £26.60 (plus batteries) then.
Mine liked peanut butter too.

[Mike Sales]

How did they get into your (new?) house, Mike?

Yes, new. Wooden with space below the floor. I don't know precisely where they got in.

[pwa]

How did they get into your (new?) house, Mike?

Yes, new. Wooden with space below the floor. I don't know precisely where they got in.

I've had them get in via a tiny gap between the brick wall and the board under the eaves of the roof, where ivy had grown up. You will be looking for a gap of maybe as little as 8mm somewhere. You have to admire their agility.

[Cyril Haearn]

Are gaps necessary for ventilation?

[Paulatic]

How did they get into your (new?) house, Mike?

Yes, new. Wooden with space below the floor. I don't know precisely where they got in.

Have you checked where the water pipe comes through or the waste pipes go out? They are usual suspects and a surprisingly small gap will suffice.

[mercalia]

all the people here guility of raticism should get done to as they do to others