WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => San Gabriel Mtns Flora - Fauna => Topic started by: MojaveSidecar on Jun 30, 06, 11:15:49 PM
-
Hi All
We bought our cabin over a year ago as a weekend retreat (summer) and as a vacation rental (winter). We are averaging about a weekend every two weeks attendance.
I know we have ground squirrels that like to burrow under the cabin, and we probably have to figure out how to deal with that... but our major concern now is that it appears that we may have mice that are somehow entering the cabin and doing their thing. Over the last several weeks we have discovered mouse dropping on the mantel, on the kitchen floor and on the couch. Today when we arrived, it looks like they actually got on to the bed, crawled under the bed spread and burrowed a bit into the martress. The usual mouse evidence is present but no sign of the mice themselves. We tend to leave the cabin devoid of normal mouse food, attractants etc. we we button the cabin up after our visits but it seems like they like cardboard, etc...
So how do you recommend we get free of these mice that are attacking us? I got some of those glue traps that will stick a mouse to itself so I can release it later.... But I'd prefer a way to keep them coming into the house in the first place.
TIA
Randy from Burbank
-
I can't believe it. Five minutes after I laid down the glue traps and posted the previous message, I hear a small commotion in the kitchen. I caught one... a little mouse about 2" in size.
I put the trap with him stuck to it on the deck for tonight and will figure out where and how to release him in the AM.
Bummer.... kinda ... but a MAN/s gotta do what a mans gotta do.
But its still a bummer..
1 down.. and I hope that's all
-
I don't like to kill them either - they are sooo cute! But, rodents in the house (or garage, which I think my problem is) aren't cool - Hanta virus isn't a good thing.
I have a couple of humane mouse traps that you are willing to borrow - PM me if interested. I live only about 3 blocks from you, if I'm correct about where your cabin is...
-
Mission Accomplished.
I released the little bugger this morning down Lone Pine Canyon.
Just poured a little cooking oil on him and he wriggled free and scampered off into the brush.
I have suspicion that this was the only culprit, but I will put out the traps again tonight just to make sure. Hopefully this is case closed.
Now, what to do about those squirrels ....
-
-
I was once a believer, but usually, there is never 'just one mouse'.
For anyone (respectfully) who has passed the "they're so cute, catch and release" stage either by sheer numbers of mice or their poopage, or, if you need to leave a trap for awhile and feel killing them quickly is in this case the more humane route, there is another alternative. Victor, the company that makes exterminator products for the home, has an electric trap (4 AA batteries) that is supposed to kill them instantly, and it works very, very well. They're $20 at Home depot for the mouse model, you just put the bait, either what they like at your house or say peanut butter and you're done. When they go far enough into the box, they get zapped and are easy to remove. Dry bait such as birdseed or dog food kibble are often better as peanut butter may be messy to clean out.
If you do catch and release, try to be wise about not releasing too far out of their local area because you may be passing insect vectors that carry pathogens from one colony/area to the next without knowing it.
-
Cats.
Indoor cats.
That's the only thing that's worked for me.
-
-
We used the humane traps to catch the ground squirrels which eat all of our chickens food. Also they have been known to nibble on chickens feet believe it or not. In my attempts to relocate them they freak out so bad & several times have died of a heart attack (or what I believe to be a heart attack). So now I just trap them & shoot them. I hate to hear of any animal suffering in any way. They only have a death sentence once they venture into the chicken coop though.
-
Find out how they are getting in. Pack steel wool or Brillo pads around all pipe penetrations in the crawl space.
Leave no hole unpacked, no matter how small.
They have yet to return and that was four years ago.
Crawl spaces are full of fun toxins. Get a good respirator.
Ennnnjoy yourself as this is a great way to spend an afternoon.
-
BreezyMts,
I just relocated my first squirrel yesterday. I know there are several on my property and they eat all my flowers, plants, bird food and chicken food....didn't know they nibbled on chickens feet.
I used an old fashioned way to catch one in a cage (stick, string, cage and bait). What type of trap did you use and where did you get it??
As far as mice go KLRbach, a good cat is the best way to eliminate them. You can try the "catch and release" way, but they just breed and eventually you will be catching their offspring.
-
-
I have a dysfunctional cat, I guess. He's been catching mice outisde then brings his trophy inside for all to admire - then does the catch and release INSIDE. Had to get traps and so far no luck. they just lick the peanut butter off and won't spring them.
-
Has anyone tried the electronic devices that you plug into your wall outlets?
-
Has anyone tried the electronic devices that you plug into your wall outlets?
Yes I have one mounted within 3 feet of where I catch the most mice.
Don't waste your money
-
Being around Owls I discovered that they are WONDERFUL at rodent control!! When we had a Barn Owl in our house while it was being built and I could not believe the amt of rodents those owls ate!
So if you have an owl in your yard, you will have the best rodent control around :)
-
-
So Calindy, can you teleport about 50 of your owls into my yard? I can't even plant anything - the plants get eaten while they are in their pots. This is I think the worst summer ever for the ground squirrels. >:( :P
Are you sure that you don't have rats as well ForestGal? I saw my first rat around two or three weeks ago up here. I did not even know we had rats up here. I found out they were eating our flowers and vegetables. I would have never known, but we were out sitting on our deck late at night and heard noises. We shined a light out and saw them using our fence for a freeway. My neighbor was also complaining of her plants being eaten before she could even plant them. At the same time we found them, her dog had caught one. Since that time we have killed around 15 of them between the two of us and I am still seeing them in the trees and they are still eating our plants.
So Calindy, maybe you could start a rent-a-owl business, sign me up if you do. ;)
-
-
I wish I could "tell" the Owls where there is some good eating ;D Looks like there is a huge need for them up there!
-
Let this be a warning to all those who were thinking of using this method for rodent control. ::)
Woman tries to kill mice; shoots self
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
AP
POTTER VALLEY, Calif. -- A Mendocino County woman who was trying to kill mice in her trailer with a gun ended up shooting herself and another person.
Sheriff's officials say the 43-year-old woman pulled out her .44-caliber Magnum revolver after she saw the mice scurrying across the floor of her trailer on Highway 20 in Potter Valley.
But she accidentally dropped the gun, which went off as it struck the floor. The bullet went through the woman's kneecap, bounced off the keys sitting on the belt loop of a 42-year-old man in the trailer and grazed the man's groin before ending up in his coin pocket.
Authorities did not release the shooting victims' names.
The mice escaped the shooting unharmed.
-
Wow. Talk about hitting a gnat with a baseball bat. That's an awful lot of collateral damage with this one.
Sorry, I couldn't resist this.
(http://speedlimit.home.att.net/wsb/images/LaughingMouse.gif)
-
I never try giving rodents advice. They just dont' listen!
-
I never try giving rodents advice. They just dont' listen!
Maybe your rodents attended the wrong school! ;D
OK, I'm :offtopic: - heeheehee!
-
Maybe your rodents attended the wrong school! ;D
OK, I'm :offtopic: - heeheehee!
No, they are just rUdents ;D
-
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Mice-Naturally
Peppermint oil is mentioned here. I've heard that steel wool in openings will work also. Check it out.
NP
-
Why I'm surprised you would even ask.
UCLA of course :crazy:
Fight On!
All right, I'm tired of being the nice (and well-educated-because-I-went-to-UCLA-instead-of-that-other-lame-school) guy, them's fighting words, Clint and ForestGal!
And if there's anything left...
(http://www.world-of-smilies.com/html/images/smilies/gewalt/BIGYuppyAcid.gif)
-
;D ;D ;D
OK, so which one of us went to that OTHER school, and became well-educated enuf that she doesn't have to work any more? Hmmmmmmm?? Of course, all that basically means, is that one of the 3 of us in this little battle, is OLD...... Oh well, better that than the alternative.... ;)
I love your little icon picture thingies, lagomorphmom! I have no idea how to find those - remember that computers were barely invented yet when I attended that GREAT school :-\ ;D
Back to topic, I don't have mice in my house, and I really hope that neither of the others does either. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, even a UCLA person..... ::)
-
Pretty unbelievable. Someone is not telling the cops the real story. Guns only go off when dropped on the floor in the movies. Unless it was a REALLY old .44 Mag. most weapons since the 1970s have had hammer blocks that prevent that. Very suspicious.
Clint's right, and the latest DOJ testing is respectively updated since the 70's. I've recently finished a test and report via current DOJ standards on a less lethal weapon intended for civil unrest and it had a failure.
By todays' standards you could litterally toss a loaded handgun out the window of a moving car on the freeway and it wouldn't go off.
Regarding the "O'l lady and the 44....maybe a 60's series single action with no hammer block, but I give her props for trying to take the criminals on her own..... or maybe a little too much Mendocino vino and Oprah. But like I always say...."ya can't fix stupid"
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v304/MikeWorshum/laugh-cry.gif)
-
I don't know anything about guns. What does DOJ mean?
More to the point, why would someone try to shoot mice in their house? Seems to me, the little buggers can run a LOT faster than anyone could shoot a gun.
-
DOJ = Department of Justice
-
Anyone have any idea as to what would dig this hole? It's about 9 inches in diameter, I'd say, and appeared in the last week. I'm still not familiar with the local critters -- being right next to the house, is it something I should try to encourage to move elsewhere?
(http://timothy-green.org/images/hole.jpg)
-
Ground squirrels, maybe? I get those in my back yard, and my little wiener dog digs like crazy after them. She's got some major excavations going back there.
-
I'd agree that it's most likely ground squirrels and this has been a banner year for them.
Don't be fooled by the name as ground squirrels are not the same as bushy tailed CA grey squirrel.
Ground squirrels are rodents and it takes a lot of work to get rid of them once established.
Feeding: California ground squirrels are omnivorous. They eat seeds, nuts, fruits, bulbs, fungi, and stems and leaves of grasses and forbs. They also eat some insects, bird eggs, and carrion. Forage on the ground, and in low shrubs and trees. Also dig up plants. Store food for inactive periods.
Cover: Cover is provided by burrows excavated in friable soils, often near rocky areas or under trees or logs. Burrow system may be elaborate, with 6-20 entrances. Tunnel lengths average 11 m (35 ft), and range from 0.9-42 m (3-138 ft).
Reproduction: Build cup-shaped nests of dried vegetation in the burrow.
Water: Apparently very little water required.
Pattern: Suitable areas for California ground squirrels are herbaceous sites, and openings in most brush and forest habitats. Friable soils are required, and rocks, scattered trees, logs, and other ground cover enhance the habitat.
Reproduction: Females are polyestrous. Timing of breeding season varies greatly throughout California. Mating occurs from January through July, with peak activity in March through June. Following a gestation period of about 30 days, an average of 6-7 young are born (range 3-15). Litter size is correlated inversely with latitude (Chapman and Lind 1973). Females produce 1 litter per yr. Young are weaned at about 55 days, and are full-grown in 7-8 mo.
Niche: California ground squirrels are important prey for many carnivores. Population numbers usually increase in heavily grazed areas, as forb production and visibility increase. Can damage crops. Can harbor plague, which may decimate numbers.
http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentVersionID=17592
-
We've declared war on them again. In addition to them ruining your plants and carrying disease, their tunnels can undermine your house foundation.
-
Looks like a bumper crop of mice/rats this year, too. The other day, my car sprung a leak, and would no longer hold windshield washer fluid. No problem I thought. The car is under warranty, and I've had those tanks crack before.
Dealer told me "rodents" had crawled under the hood, and chewed up a lot of the windshield washer hoses and fittings. They also managed to get to the engine's air filter, and even the air conditioning HEPA filter.
Not covered by warranty :(
-
I've heard cutting up Juicy Fruit gum and placing it near their holes is a great, non-poisonous way to get rid of them. They love to eat it and can't digest it so they die.
-
Thanks for the advice; that was my suspicion, though I haven actually seen a ground squirrel yet, and was hoping someone might say bunnies!
I'm going to try the Juicy Fruit next time I'm up.
-
My M-I-L tried the Juicy Fruit--didn't work for her. You are supposed to leave the wrapper as well. With or without, no luck.
:(
-
Mountain Hardware
http://www.havahart.com/store/live-animal-traps/1062#desc
-
The cutest, little, dusty brown rabbit has been visiting my yard for a couple of week. I think he is looking for water. Should I discourage him if I don't want a hundred rabbits next year?
-
Thanks for the advice; that was my suspicion, though I haven actually seen a ground squirrel yet,
If you're anxious to see ground squirrels, come on over here. ;D
Funny thing is this year, although I've seen them running all over the place, and my little dachshund is digging in their burrows out back, they have not been eating my flowers. I got a late start this year in planting my flowers, due to health issues in June, so didn't get my flowers in until early July, and they have thrived without being nibbled on. Last year I planted earlier and was out dusting my plants with cayenne pepper several times a week to try to get rid of them.
I have used the Havahart traps in years past, with pretty good luck. I would trap them and take them up the road a bit and let them out, which I don't think you're supposed to do but oh well.
-
Anyone have any idea as to what would dig this hole? It's about 9 inches in diameter, I'd say, and appeared in the last week. I'm still not familiar with the local critters -- being right next to the house, is it something I should try to encourage to move elsewhere?
Heck we have ants that can dig a hole that size. ;D
-
I would like to find a way to charge them for taxi service. I have unknowingly delivered a mouse and a packrat to Staters, two mice to Lowe's, and a packrat to the Phelan post office.
Since that major downpour, their homes were destroyed in the deluge--they are creating a condo in my garage and apparently catching a ride when they feel like an outing.
I do various crafts in the garage and when the mechanic fixed my husband's A/C he brought us a lovely nest with pretty ribbons, and pieces of cloth and sparkly things.
We must evict all squatters from the garage before winter makes it impossible for them to find other shelter. And as for the freeloaders taking rides--I'll take it out of your relatives hide!
-
As for advice. We've tried live traps, poison (unfortunately the neighbors beagle found it before the rodents), but since this is a banner year for them all I can say is...do your best to lock them out, clean up after them with bleach as soon as you find it, keep food stuffs (dog/cat food and trash) out of their purview and try to keep nesting materials to a minimum.
Lock them out means get vehicles supplied with a 'screen', fill and block all holes on, in or near your house, and check behind appliances frequently for new scratches.
Pay attention to your cat! They will hunker down beside scatching places you can't hear and may even try to 'tell' you there is a problem. They may also use the area for a 'scratch' spot as that is one way they mark territory. Of course, some cats are so domesticated as to befriend and ignore unwanted guests. But most will not appreciate their boundary being violated.
-
-
-
-
WE Have gophers we stick moth balls down the holes and we shoot ground squirrels we dont have neighbors near by we have 3 acres
-
Pellet rifles have less range than 22's. 22's can travel or ricochet a mile.
-
I just use live traps and relocate them all to Chuck's house.
No problem.
-
I guess then I have you on video surveillance ;D. Smile next trip!!
-
This simple little tool would be wayyy more fun.... ;D
http://www.rodenator.com/pests-controls-videos-rodenators