how do i get rid of mice inthe house

[MadameDD]

I posted about this about 2-3 weeks ago but wanted more info.

Live in Victorian terraced house. We have house mice, plus a cat. No idea how the mice have got in if they got in from anywhere but they're definitely house mice. Last year we replaced lean to back door and cat flap with new door/glass. Have seen the live ones at all times of day - mostly dusk/evening time, I think they're most active at midnight onwards as that's when cat caught one once.

Cat has so far caught 3 mice, snap traps have caught 2 more.

I think but not 100% sure the mice have been living round the living room/hall area for about 6 months or so as they got into cupboard under the stairs etc.

Don't want to put poison down in case cat picks it up or mouse who's dead with it inside.

Blocking holes - where/how?

Friend of mine said when they had dishwasher replaced with new one they had mice.

I really want to just block holes etc - putting down more traps, cat not interested now but he changes like the wind.

How do I get rid of them?

I had fine wire mesh put over all of my air bricks (and got a cat, but that doesn't seem to have worked for you!). I did use poison, but that was before the cat, he was brought in afterwards to keep them at bay.

You can block holes using wire wool. Mice can fit through tiny holes though so it can be difficult. Look where pipes come into your house and also around radiator pipes where they come up through the floor.

Wire wool - everywhere, any nook and cranny. We figured ours had been getting in by the radiator pipes. Also, look in corners of every room - I found small holes in two bedrooms, just under skirting board, where they'd been coming in. Scrupulous cleaning... always swept every night anyway, but now try to mop too. Good luck - they are so grim!

Block holes with wire wool/steel wool - they can't chew through it, apparently. Squirt peppermint oil, or put down cotton wool balls soaked with it, in places you know they go - they're supposed not to like it.

I have an Edwardian terraced house, and I think they'll always find a way through the foundations, but I tell them that if they leave me alone, meaning I don't see any sign of them, I'll leave them alone, meaning no traps or poison.

Hmph.. I had mice a couple of months ago who chewed through my sink drainage pipe and a wooden spoon in the drawer. Luckily they couldn't get anywhere else. Cat was distinctly unimpressed but, in his defence, he is 18 and lazy now. After searching all the local shops I went on Ebay and bought snap traps. I swear the instant I committed to the purchase and pressed 'send' the little buggers vanished. Traps arrived and I baited some and put them down in case, but no sign of another single mouse!!

I also had a squirrel gaining access to the same area but via a very difficult and different route but I managed to block him with that expanding spray stuff. Now he stomps round the attic some nights.

SoupDragon - all credit to the cat - now he knows where they are he's actually been quite good at catching them. His big problem was when he couldn't reach them - so under the fridge etc which drove him mad.

cantfindname - we've had snap traps in kitchen and living room - baited with cheese and peanut butter (I told DH cheese wouldn't work!) - the PB seemed to trap them.

Right - wire wool, peppermint oil and someone I know mentioned expanding foam.

Shiplessocean - that's the thing - we now have a cleaner and I try to sweep/hoover the kitchen every night - living/dining room doesn't seem that dirty but gets hovered every other day.

DH seems to think there's not many left in the nest but I'm not sure!