Getting rid of rats/mice (merged threads)

tumbletots

Hi all,

Any advice would be appreciated. As the title says we have got mice in our loft. We have put down traps which have caught a couple but the mice are generally taking the bait and getting away. We know the traps are working just the mice are obviously cleverer than us!!

Has anyone tried one of the ultrasonic sonic things you can buy and are they worth trying? I have read mixed reviews. We have tried to fill in any possible holes we can see so starting to run out of ideas.

Any help would be appreciated.

Gloomendoom

Setting lots of traps at the same time usually gets good results.

Don't waste your money on the ultrasonic thingies. Buy more little nipper traps instead.

Leif

Get some poison, and put it down in small trays. You may hear a squeakathon when the poison starts to act, but then it will be peace. And since it is a loft, you won't poison pets and/or children. I tried various non lethal traps, useless. The traditional trap probably does work, but I did not like the idea of finding a squished bloody mouse.

tumbletots

Hi,

Thanks both for the quick responses. We have got poison down but the mice don't seem to want to try it. My OH getting really brassed off as he can't get the better of them. Will keep trying.

Leif

I used the stuff that looks like grain or rice dyed blue. It came in a large tub.

usignuolo

Since I last posted (18 Feb) I have put down baited humane trap in front room and for good measure plugged in an elctronic scarer. OH and I have cleaned all the corners of the room and found no droppings or sign of a run. Caught nothing in trap and hoped electronic scarer had worked.

Also hoovered and washed floors of conservatory and kitchen at back of house twice (second time today). No sign of mouse activity or droppings. Both rooms have ceramic tiled floors. I don't keep open food around - old habit from uni where we had mice in our student house.

Anyway as I approached fridge tonight in kitchen to get a drink, a mouse ran across front of it and scuttled round behind it. OH now in kitchen looking for it. Still no sign of droppings and it ignored the humane trap where last seen - not sure what to do next. Any ideas?

tipsychick

They're known to like the back of fridges, as they can sit on the motor/electrics and keep nice and warm. Hopefully it will frazzle itself in the process.

As the humane traps aren't working, are you desperate enough for an inhumane one yet? The old fashioned Tom & Jerry traps are meant to be pretty effective. Keep the bait fresh too. I've got more experience with rats than mice, outside rather than inside fortunately, but we found peanut butter the best bait, not sure if that is the case with mice though.

Errata

Cadburys Fruit and Nut works wonderfully well in a Tom and Jerry trap.

usignuolo

Problem solved, I think! Went round to Homebase and bought a Rentokil pack (of 2) Fast Action Mouse Killer. Put down at around 4pm where last saw mouse and found dead mouse nearby at 8pm.

The trap is a clear plastic box with entry holes on each side and the poison is stored in small open sided compartments inside it. This makes it small child and pet safe. Mouse enters the trap, eats the bait, exits and dies nearby.

You are recommended to leave the traps near where you last saw the mouse, in our case near dining room door. Only problem, we also have a patterned carpet there, and this meant that when we went in to check the trap, dead mouse on carpet was not immediately visible and OH nearly stepped on it with his size 11s. So watch out for that....

ollyf

Hi,

Really need some help and advice please.

We have been living with a Rat Infestation for the last 5 years and its slowly getting worse and a couple of weeks ago we had a rat actually climb out of the Gas Fire. We managed to get the local paper to run a story at the weekend regarding this problem.

We have been in touch with Environmental Health, Seven Trent and Even had Rentokill for a year but with no help from anyone. We are not getting very concerned for the health and safety of ourselves and especially our 2 year old daughter. We are now thinking of wether going bankrupt and handing the house back to the mortgage company is realistic thing to do as no one seems to want to help and even the house insurance we are not covered for pests. Any help would be much appreciated. Thankyou