Author Topic: Help: Rodent Advice  (Read 45679 times)

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Offline MojaveSidecar

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Help: Rodent Advice
« 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

Offline MojaveSidecar

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #1 on: Jun 30, 06, 11:41:05 PM »
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

Offline ForestGal

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #2 on: Jun 30, 06, 11:58:16 PM »
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...

Offline MojaveSidecar

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #3 on: Jul 01, 06, 10:33:47 AM »
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 ....


Offline ForestGal

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #4 on: Jul 01, 06, 10:51:22 AM »

Offline lagomorphmom

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #5 on: Jul 01, 06, 05:50:39 PM »
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.

Offline Nolena

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #6 on: Jul 01, 06, 06:24:35 PM »
Cats.
Indoor cats.
That's the only thing that's worked for me.

goatgirl

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #7 on: Jul 01, 06, 06:33:21 PM »

Breezymtns

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #8 on: Jul 01, 06, 06:42:45 PM »
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.

michael

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #9 on: Jul 11, 06, 07:01:06 AM »


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.


Forest 1

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #10 on: Jul 11, 06, 10:00:06 AM »
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. 

Offline ForestGal

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #11 on: Jul 11, 06, 10:44:11 AM »

wwpt

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #12 on: Jul 24, 06, 11:22:42 AM »

 
     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.

angelwolf326

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #13 on: Jul 24, 06, 11:54:46 AM »
Has anyone tried the electronic devices that you plug into your wall outlets?

Offline Wrightwood

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #14 on: Jul 24, 06, 12:06:45 PM »
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

Calindy

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #15 on: Jul 24, 06, 09:25:02 PM »
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 :) 

Offline ForestGal

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #16 on: Jul 24, 06, 09:36:40 PM »

Chesslike

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #17 on: Jul 24, 06, 09:46:25 PM »
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. ;)

Offline ForestGal

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #18 on: Jul 24, 06, 10:34:21 PM »

Calindy

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Re: Help: Rodent Advice
« Reply #19 on: Jul 25, 06, 12:05:02 AM »
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!