There's a mouse, maybe even mice, in my rented accommodation...

SquatNow

bap98189 wrote: »

You are not serious are you? Mice can get into any house, and at this time of the year they often do as they are after a warm place and food. Kitchens provide both. If it's a single mouse, then you have nothing to worry about. A trap should soon catch it. Release it outside, somewhere well away from the house nad you probably won't see it again.

Unfortunately mice do leave behind droppings. Very few it seems are house trained.

If you do manage to house-train one, I have a cat, 4 guineepigs and 2 horses for you to start on next.

lynzpower

we also had mice in our last rental, however, we lived on the outskirts of a major forest and the house was full of holes externally, so I didnt blame them for wanting to come in. Although it was awful to find them ( but top when the dog did)

We found actually that folded up glasspaper ( or sandpaper will do) in cracks between kitchen cabinets, helped our problem MASSIVELY. apparently it hurts thier teeth and they cant get through it.

Obviously, keep your place very clean, sweep all crumbs manically empty bins more than you think you should and dont give them any reason to want to be there. then at least YOU know you are not contributing to the problem at all.

SquatNow

A can of expanding foam works wonders on small holes in walls.

mr.broderick

SquatNow wrote: »

A can of expanding foam works wonders on small holes in walls.

Expanding foam how did we ever survive before it ?

SquatNow

mr.broderick wrote: »

Expanding foam how did we ever survive before it ?

We filled the holes i with filler, but we only had solid walls. Expanding foams helps plug both skins of a cavity wall.

Suzy_M

Re: Both problems - Oh yes sub-zero temperatures in large areas of the country at the moment that could cause both problems and hardly within the landlord's immediate control.

Re: Leaks
Leaks happen in the best of houses - rented or owner-occupied without warning. Landlords are not psychic so unless they are told they may not have known if a problem exists. If the landlord does not repair it within a reasonable time then maybe you would have a case.

In the meantime put your high-horse in the stable and allow the landlord the courtesy of reasonable time and access to repair any problems. - Could make for a good tenancy in the long-run


Re: Mice
With the cold spell we are having it's no suprise the mice are coming in. According to our local hardware stores mice seem to be a bigger problem than usual this year. It is hardly your landlord's fault.

At the risk of upsetting animal lovers the best thing you can do is trap them and dispose of them in the rubbish bin. This is more hygienic in the long run than poison and having bodies rotting away unseen for weeks - which could encourage even more unsavoury pests.

I'd recommend a mouse trap I've only recently discovered called or made by "The Big Cheese" (no seriously). They are very easy to set, come ready baited and there's no risk of trapping your own fingers.:T What I really like about them though is that they are a quicker cleaner kill than others. You can get replacement bait but I've found peanut butter and Mum's blackcurrant and apple jelly works just as well. When not in use they are very easy to clean and store for re-use.

space_rider

I actually left my house because of a mouse. I couldn`t bear the thought of mouse or mice in my kitchen. Pest control from the council came out for free and didn`t ask me if I owned the house or rented it. The mouse was never found despite traps and poison. I did buy a couple of the sonic things to try and prevent them coming in again.

takoo

Hi Mattchew
Spotted droppings on a Friday evening - I bought a mousetrap Saturday - baited it with chocolate - caught three over the weekend - did not have any more trouble - I was more scared of the mousetrap than the mice!
Good luck
Takoo

SquatNow

takoo wrote: »

I was more scared of the mousetrap than the mice!

Agreed, those things are nasty!

merlinthehappypig

I have no problem catching mice in the trap, but the rats are so clever. They consistently take the bait, stick two fingers up (I imagine) and leave the traps still set. It doesn't seem to matter what type of trap I have - it won't catch rats unless very young or sick.