Getting rid of rats/mice (merged threads)

teleaddict

We've currently got (hopefully had) a problem with mice in the house. I've caught 6 since February, but the traps have remained set for the last 3 weeks with no sightings and there's been no sign of any mouse droppings. I used the little nipper traps and used a little piece of bacon fat for bait. Only once did one of the little blighters get the bait without getting a really bad headache....

54druids

We live next to fields and have always have trouble with mice but never this late in the year. They sound like they are in the wall cavities and I know they are in the loft. We have tried traps and caught a few but want rid for good. I heard that the council would come and get rid of them for free - is this the case? Otherwise does anyone know how much pest controllers charge.

bubblegumcola

I think the charge for environmental health or council pest control to get rid of vermin varies. If you own your own home I'm sure you will be charged but if you are a council tenant they do it free of charge as its obviously in their interests to maintain their own properties for their tenants. Best thing to do is phone your local council or check out their website for more details. I'm sure every council is different in what they will attempt to remove and what they charge.

helping_hubby

Hi,

We had rats in our loft...

Our council come round and put down poison for free for rats and mice (Guildford) - doesn't matter if you own your own home or not.

So its worth giving your council a call to find out. Or look on their website.

Before I found out that the council did this I tried to get quotes from pest controllers (it was they that told me the council did it for free). Anyway one of the pest controllers charged £150 which included 3 visits.

bishbash55

torbrex wrote: »

I have used poison in the past from Rentokill, just a little in a dish and it kills very quickly, they had barely gone 6" from the dish.

this product is alphachloralose, it works by reducing the body temperature of small rodents. its only effective in cold buildings and doesnt really work well during warm seasons as the mouse can recover quickly and run off if it warms up.

like all poisons its only good if the mouse actually eats it. its a professional product so for general use i wouldnt really recommend it.

glue boards or break back traps are the quickest and best kill methods. there non toxic so a safer option all round.

for mice use chocolate or peanuts

for rats use more savoury foods like sausages, fatty bacon ect.

alternatively use the bait you find they are eating in your house, so if they are going for packets of crisps use those.... its not rocket science, just use your common sense. do it yourself and save your money.

bishbash55

roses wrote: »

Mice droppings are small and look like a black grain of rice and are hard
Rat droppings are larger (1p coin size), soft and round

there both very soft when fresh, they can dry up in a matter of hours or days depending on the temperature.

mice droppings are up to 6mm in length and long and thin

rat droppings are banana shaped, longer up to 15mm in size.

mice are incontenent - up to 100 droppings per day per mouse.... if they have ventured to an area there are usually droppings found.

rats arent incontenent - they have areas they use as a 'toilet'. often one sign of a rat is when you know there is a rodent but you dont find the droppings. (you havent found its toilet yet).

blushingbride_3

we've got mice again! they keep coming, although it had been a while, last time i went round with foam and blocked all the holes form outside
how do i find where they are coming in? i have holes in my floor where they ate through last time by the radiator pipes!:( i hate it

babs2008

blushingbride wrote: »

we've got mice again! they keep coming, although it had been a while, last time i went round with foam and blocked all the holes form outside
how do i find where they are coming in? i have holes in my floor where they ate through last time by the radiator pipes!:( i hate it

I've never tried this, but apparently peppermint oil is a good deterrant. Maybe if you can locate the general area they are coming in this might work.

Also, another thing I've not tried, you can get ultrasound devices which you plug in which supposedly deters them.

emmasmum01

i've used glue boards, strip one edge off and place it along the skirting board use a little ham out the fridge, found that works a treat. don't bother with cheese mice don't like it lol. you'll prob find it's still alive hubby usually steps on it, as he can't bear to think of it dying like that yuk!!! sorry to all you animal lovers but i can't stand them. as long as it's out my house i don't care

Silk

blushingbride wrote: »

we've got mice again! they keep coming, although it had been a while, last time i went round with foam and blocked all the holes form outside
how do i find where they are coming in? i have holes in my floor where they ate through last time by the radiator pipes!:( i hate it

Hi blushing,
Don't use foam to block up any holes but instead use wire wool.
Mice will eat through foam but won't eat through wire wool
The only problem using it outside is after a while it will go rusty so keep chacking it every few months