Mice in the house! Help’

[Muchtoomuchtodo]

We heard activity in the loft just after Christmas and caught one up there and 2 in the garage (integral to the house).

Thought we were sorted but we now have sightings in the house.

I thought I’d found where they were coming in so have blocked it with wire wool but they’ve definitely not all gone. All rooms have been thoroughly cleaned and any food residue (2 teenage boys 🙄) has been removed.

I have got traps in the loft, garage and around the house with peanut butter on and peppermint balls in the loft and garage.

What else can I do? Is it time to call the council pest control team in?

Unless you're on benefits, you'll have to pay for pest control. However, that might be the way to go. My DM paid for pest control from a private contractor, he was great - quoted a fee, no matter how many times he had to return. He came back every 2-3 days to check traps/any fresh evidence.

Thanks, our council website says the service is £70 but not what that includes.

Have professionals come in and deal with the problem is definitely more effective than trying to deal with it yourself - learned that one last winter! I hate killing things but it got to a point I had no option. They haven’t returned so far.

I'd say get a cat, but we've had 3 mice in the hosue this week (that I've found) that my stupid cat brought in!

I’m allergic to cats and really can’t be bothered with pets so that’s definitely not an option.

Not caught anything today, I remain hopeful that with the food source removed (bloody kids!) and source of entry blocked if we can catch the critter that was seen this morning, that might be it.

If I’m deluded then I’ll definitely get outside help in. I’m not sure how to decide if that’ll be a private firm or through the council.

I think the best thing you can do is remove all food sources. I've had mice and rats before, tried traps, blocking access and even poison but nothing seemed to work.
However they don't seem to have come back since I made sure all food is out of the way.

Yes, I think this has been a wake up call to our ds’s about not leaving dirty plates and food packaging in their rooms 🤢

go back over areas near pipework/radiators and double check for holes. Remember they can get through a hole the width of a pencil so really check those places and use the wire wool.