Help - cats keep bringing in live mice!

Sola

We've had 6 over the past 2 days, and they're big ones too, nearly the size of gerbils (I'm pretty sure they're not baby rats). I've just rescued one (the cat was too scared of it to finish it off) and put it out the front where the cats don't go. The ungrateful little blighter bit me hard and drew blood; second one to do that this week. There's one more behind the tumble-drier and possibly one behind the sofa, I think. Apart from keeping the cats in, is there any way of dealing with this? We're used to the odd 'gift' or two, but I'm thinking maybe they've found a nest somewhere. Any suggestions?

whatatwit

Please keep a close eye on your hand..wouldn't want it to become infected.

You can usually tell by the tails if it is a mouse or a rat....

My cat brings in birds, usually alive. Things have improved since we got him a better bell....(vision of a cat wearing a cow bell).

Don't know what to suggest about the mice though, sorry.

pipkin71

Sola wrote: »

We've had 6 over the past 2 days, and they're big ones too, nearly the size of gerbils (I'm pretty sure they're not baby rats). I've just rescued one (the cat was too scared of it to finish it off) and put it out the front where the cats don't go. The ungrateful little blighter bit me hard and drew blood; second one to do that this week. There's one more behind the tumble-drier and possibly one behind the sofa, I think. Apart from keeping the cats in, is there any way of dealing with this? We're used to the odd 'gift' or two, but I'm thinking maybe they've found a nest somewhere. Any suggestions?

Hi Sola.

Are the cats bringing them in, or are they finding them in the house?

I have a mouse running round somewhere right now. It managed to sneak the food off the trap without being caught, the little:mad:

I've put poison down and some was taken last night, but I'm guessing you cant because of the cats. The only other thing would be traps positioned where the cats cant get hurt, or not letting the cats in unless you're sure they don't have any gifts.

If 'There's one more behind the tumble-drier and possibly one behind the sofa'
them two could very possibly become 20 soon enough [probably a slight over-estimate, but you get the drift].

What colour are they? That will determine if they are house or country mice apparently.
Pipkin xxxx

safesound

They look different too. Field (or country) mice are round with softer features to the face, house mice are more sleek with sharper noses.

Field mouse:




House mouse:

pipkin71

safesound wrote: »

House mouse:

Why does it look all cutesy there, but absolutely disgusting when it ran across my kitchen floor, the little :mad:

Sola

They're brown with furry tails rather than ridged bald tails; DH says they're not rats, and I think they're too big for field mice. The cats are bringing them in - they rush in and sit under the diningtable with them doing funny chirrups and growls. They don't tend to kill them; they just suck them a bit.

I've washed and disinfected my hand, thanks. But I'll keep an eye on it.

We have a catflap so the cats come and go (a couple are semi-feral rescues so it doesn't work to try and keep them in). I don't think traps are a possibility because a couple of my boys are really stupid and would probably manage to injure themselves.

Ah well - I hope mice hibernate for winter soon and it all dies down. I'd rather capture them live and let them out somewhere else if I can; I'll just have to be vigilant.

Actually I'm wondering if there's one amidst the junk under the stairs - a couple of the cats have been keen to explore in there the past few days. Oh joy.

Sola

Thanks for the pics - definitely house mice.

mouseymousey99

Humane traps may help? dont put cheese in though - they like sweeter stuff like chocolate (I kid you not). Years ago I found mice eating the cats dried food!!!

kunekune

At least they are your cats ... We used to get gifts left on our door step (including dead rats ... and yes, they were definitely rats) from the cat who lived next door but liked me for some odd reason.

Someone I knew used to swear by peanut butter in the trap.

safesound

Yep, I have a field mouse who risks life and limb by going into my ferret cage every morning to steal their biscuits. :eek: Silly little beggar is going to come a cropper sooner or later, luckily my ferts have been sleeping every time I've seen him go in there so far. Every time I check on them I expect to find carcass de mickey.
My DH (ratcatcher) says its very likely that they are getting them from somewhere close so even if you're sure you don't have them check your cupboards (especially around the sink area) for droppings that look like black/brown grains of rice.

Fruball

I wonder if putting a bell on your cat's collars would help if they don't already have them.

I know this is about mice but....
ALL cats should have bells on to prevent wild birds being harmed by them - I saw some awful statistics on The One Show about wild birds being killed/injured by cats and it didn't make good viewing. It was on their website, might still be there if anyone fancies a nosey. We should all be protecting our precious wildlife where we can

I have had the odd mouse in the house and used humane traps - you have to drive them a distance in the car to drop them off tho as they follow your scent home again otherwise !!!

Hope you get rid of them soon