Page 3 | Why, oh why am I not catching any mice?

joangray38 · 05/12/2022 01:18

Ask your neighbour for used smelly cat litter and top it up every few days. The smell of a cat without having. To borrow one!

HotChoxs · 05/12/2022 01:26

@TerraNostra
imgur.com/a/p7smKQB

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 05/12/2022 07:10

You need to not touch your traps with bare hands.... They will smell of human.
Set them wearing gloves

We used a company called Superproof who aren't cheap but will visit again at no cost if they don't solve the problem

HotChoxs · 05/12/2022 09:44

GoAgainstNicki · 04/12/2022 23:19

What bait did you use and how long did it take? Maybe I’m impatient and wondering why I haven’t caught anything within a week

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Mice don't actually come in all the time, they can go away for a few weeks and come back.

You are flying blind with traps cos mice can avoid them, and you are flying blind with filling holes because you don't know if you've filled the right one.

Mine is the only solution that works, follow the mouse to where it comes in from and you'll be rid of them.

Housebuyingfamily · 05/12/2022 10:22

GoAgainstNicki · 04/12/2022 23:19

What bait did you use and how long did it take? Maybe I’m impatient and wondering why I haven’t caught anything within a week

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Dried apricot and peanut butter. caught 3 literally 10 minutes after putting them
down. I kid you not. They were literally waiting behind the sofa for me to leave the room. That’s after 4 nights with 15 snap traps and humane traps not getting one! We had had enough!

Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 05/12/2022 10:25

ScaredSceptic · 05/12/2022 00:05

PLEASE do not even consider getting a cat if you don't like them and don't actually want one. How will you cope if the cat doesn't settle, is stressed by being cooped up with small children, pees and poos in places you don't want and scratches your furniture?

A cat kept indoors all the time would also need a lot of stimulation, with appropriate play, so it burns off energy. Otherwise it will drive you mad.

Don't replace a mouse problem with a cat problem.

Great advice because I genuinely can’t stand cats so thank you for reminding me that it won’t work

OP posts:

Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 05/12/2022 10:27

JennyWI · 05/12/2022 00:17

SO what worked for us was getting the cheapest peanut butter possible! We caught like 4. We also had much more success with live traps.

Can I ask which sort of live traps you used? That’s the only sort of trap that I haven’t tried. Also, how the hell do you kill them once they’re caught??

OP posts:

Yfory · 05/12/2022 10:30

I think you need to talk to all your neighbours in your building and make sure they are dealing with any mice in their flats too - otherwise their mice will keep on having babies and visiting yours.

Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 05/12/2022 10:31

HotChoxs · 05/12/2022 00:19

Ha, nobody knows how to get rid of them do they. Pest control companies are useless.

There is a guaranteed way, it will take bit of time and effort, but you will prevail.

Step 1) Download a CCTV monitoring app onto phone/laptop
Step 2) Set it to record a short video when it identifies movement
Step 3) Test it out and adjust settings by rolling a mouse size sock along the floor to see if it records a video
Step 4) Point the webcam at the place where you saw the mouse
Step 5) Leave it there till it picks up the mouse. You'll have to leave the light on 24/7
Step 6) When you get videos of movement go through them. Identify where the mouse is coming from.
Step 7) Move the camera to trace where the mouse entered the video
Step 8) Repeat Steps 5-7 Until you find where the mouse is entering from
Step 9) If you find the hole, fill up the hole. If you do not, lay a line of snap traps blocking the mouses entry

You're welcome!

Thank you, that’s really helpful. The only thing I’m thinking is, it won’t lead me directly to the hole. So I know the problem is in the kitchen and underneath the kickboards, but unless I try and fit the laptop underneath the kickboards (which won’t work) how will I know exactly where the hole is? Or am I being silly and the whole point is to set a camera underneath the kickboards?

I saw your other comment about the squirrel and I’m absolutely howling. Any chance you’re in SW London and can come to my house?😂😬 you sound great

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Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 05/12/2022 10:34

ImustLearn2Cook · 05/12/2022 00:58

I feel for you. When my dd was a toddler we lived next to a field and there was also a plot of bush and bamboo and long grass.

One day that bushland was cleared and that night we also had heavy rain.

I had a small hole in the bottom of the screen door and saw a couple of mice jump through the hole and run across the lounge room.

After that I had a mouse problem.

I tried the humane traps and caught none. I tried the snap traps with peanut butter and caught 2 mice.

I ended up cleaning out every cupboard. Threw out any food packets that had been chewed through. Bought large plastic containers with clip on lids to put all food in.

Bleached every cupboard and floor space and bench space to not just kill germs but to remove the mouse scent that attracts other mice. I read that mice leave a scent trail for other mice to know there is a food source.

I used carpet disinfectant deodoriser. I washed the skirting along the wall/floor to remove mouse scent.

I bought lavender oil and peppermint oil to dilute in a spray bottle and sprayed it everywhere just because I read that mice didn’t like the scent of lavender or peppermint. I don’t even know if that’s true but was willing to give anything a try.

And I fixed any holes or gaps like you have already done.

All of the above combined solved my mouse problem. But it was hard work.

Wow I need to try all of this. I’ve heard the peppermint oil certainly works so I certainly need to use it

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Original poster

GoAgainstNicki · 05/12/2022 10:37

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 05/12/2022 07:10

You need to not touch your traps with bare hands.... They will smell of human.
Set them wearing gloves

We used a company called Superproof who aren't cheap but will visit again at no cost if they don't solve the problem

When you say they’re not cheap, what sort of prices are we speaking about? I’m willing to try anything at this point

OP posts:

HotChoxs · 05/12/2022 10:48

GoAgainstNicki · 05/12/2022 10:31

Thank you, that’s really helpful. The only thing I’m thinking is, it won’t lead me directly to the hole. So I know the problem is in the kitchen and underneath the kickboards, but unless I try and fit the laptop underneath the kickboards (which won’t work) how will I know exactly where the hole is? Or am I being silly and the whole point is to set a camera underneath the kickboards?

I saw your other comment about the squirrel and I’m absolutely howling. Any chance you’re in SW London and can come to my house?😂😬 you sound great

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Ha thanks!

Not in London anymore I'm afraid.

If it doesn't go directly to the hole you'll know where they are coming out from the kickboards and will be able to set the traps in a way that they can't avoid them.

I had them once in the loft. I had about 10 traps and they just avoided them for months. They were coming in through the loft through the soffits from the neighbours loft. I couldn't block the gap between the soffits and the roof so I lined up a set of traps in a row that if one was to come in it would be unable to avoid the traps. Once I did that I caught a couple and then they never returned.

It's definitely worth doing as you'll have more information on the mouse and what it's doing.

Do you have a laptop with webcam that you can use? Is it Windows/Mac? Let me know and I'll find an app that you can use and you can come back here to ask for any advice on setting it up/getting it to work.

ImustLearn2Cook · 05/12/2022 12:38

@GoAgainstNicki I hope it works for you. It’s really awful dealing with a mouse problem. Good luck.

HotChoxs · 05/12/2022 13:01

@GoAgainstNicki
Also you could get a cheap usb camera and plug into the laptop if you wanted to see what's going on behind the kickboards, depends how easy it is to take the kickboards off. Do you know anyone tech savvy that would be able to help?

MorrisZapp · 05/12/2022 13:22

I live in mouse valhalla, a victorian tenement flat in Edinburgh.

My mouse guy comes out every other year, whenever I see a you know what. He puts poison behind the kickboards then pops back to check a couple of times.

It does work. My flat can't be mouse proofed but we fill all visible gaps.

Topolectic · 05/12/2022 14:22

Well @HotChoxs you have made my day. I'm off work feeling terrible but have had a right old chuckle about your squirrel and the tank.

I know it's off topic for the thread (sorry OP) but why did you have a remote controlled tank up there in the first place? Were you expecting a squirrel invasion?!

Topolectic · 05/12/2022 14:27

On the topic of mice, we had them quite bad last year - it seems to be a problem in winter only (Victorian terrace).

The main thing which worked was being ultra tidy and clean, so there was literally nothing for them to eat on the floor or work surface or down the backs of sofas etc or anywhere to hide (piles of scarves or shoes). This didn't eliminate them entirely, was very tiring and boring, but did reduce it down quite a bit.

No traps ever worked as far as I could tell. I quite liked the smell of the peppermint spray but I'm not sure it actually helped.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 05/12/2022 14:31

what floor are you on? Outside put mouse covers on any air bricks. Have you spoken to flats around or beneath you? Can’t just treat your house if neighbours do sod all.

Quitelikeit · 05/12/2022 14:34

Everyone is overlooking the fact that these are flats

the mice could be living in any area of the flats at any given time

they climb up through the walls - the inside bit - my mother had a similar issue and you could hear them behind the walls during the night. She moved basically!

if this has been going on for months there could literally be hundreds living in the fabric of the building as they can breed quite a lot

Pinkbonbon · 05/12/2022 14:40

Only thing that ever worked for me was to set the snap traps at the door between two rooms they frequent.

So I'd open the door between the kitchen and living room about 2 inches. Just enough that they can run right through it without being stalled to look. And put the trap in the living room just there. They'd skirt the wall of the kitchen and run straight through into it.

Of course it means setting it before bed every night and you can only catch one at a time. Unless there's other doorways they go through.

But I caught about 6 that way over the years. And nothing else worked. Even had the guy out out traps and stuff too and he didn't catch any. And they were too smart for the humane traps unfortunately.

PosiePerkinPootleFlump · 05/12/2022 15:29

GoAgainstNicki · 05/12/2022 10:37

When you say they’re not cheap, what sort of prices are we speaking about? I’m willing to try anything at this point

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Price for Superproof depends on the size of property. It will do an instant quote on their website I think Superproof.co.uk

I can't remember what we paid I'm afraid.... Was 4 years ago

Lovetotravel123 · 05/12/2022 16:22

Peanut butter in traps, and poison left out. Obviously be careful that the kids don’t get it. Someone also advised talc on the floor so you can see where they get in!

wickedstepmothfker · 05/12/2022 23:10

GoAgainstNicki · 04/12/2022 16:26

I’ve been posting about the mice situation within my flat for nearly 6 months now. I’ve had two different pest control companies come round to set traps and ‘mouse proof’ the flat. There’s been traps and poison placed on the floor underneath the kickboards yet not one mice has ever been caught.

I’ve gone around the kitchen nearly 3 times and have filled all holes with wire wool. Yesterday I found another massive hole in the kitchen (absolutely no clue how I missed that) and filled it straight away. I finally thought okay, this will be the end of seeing any mice now. I also put two traps with bait underneath the kickboard right next to the massive hole that I’d found.

My younger sister was at my house earlier and said she saw a small mouse in the kitchen whilst I was outside. I just don’t understand, what the hell am I doing so wrong? I have 2 under 2 and this is starting to impact my mental health so badly. My anxiety is at an all time and I’m not sleeping anymore. I’ve baited the traps with chocolate, peanuts, peanut butter and bacon. I have snap traps and the electronic trap. Nothing is working, please help

I’m late to the party but without stating the obvious can you get a cat? We have a black one you can have, how far away are you 😂. No kidding he’s a bastard. He’s caught everything from squirrels and bats to even a young rabbit (cat sized - it survived - Christ knows how he got it in through the cat flap).

Also on a more serious note is this not partly your landlord’s responsibility if they are getting through the fabric of the building?

wickedstepmothfker · 05/12/2022 23:13

Housebuyingfamily · 04/12/2022 22:43

Only glue traps with bait worked for us

Glue traps are illegal due to their cruelty. I used to work in a pest control co. Also poisons should not be used as they get into the eco system. Eg mouse gets poisoned, bird or cat eats mouse, bird or cat dies gruesome death

impossiblerequest · 05/12/2022 23:16

modgepodge · 04/12/2022 20:40

The only mice in my house are brought in by the bloody cat!!! Alive and left to run around. We catch them in humane traps with peanut butter (or we don’t and find them weeks later after they’ve died when they start to smell 🤢)

Same! 🙄