MICE

[carold]

Have at least 1 mouse in the MH. Can hear them at night in the area between roof and ceiling, saw one last night in "living room", yesterday when I opened a drawer with cotton clothes, one came scurrying out and my beach wrap had a big hole in it as well as mice turds in drawers that have no back. So far, none in any cabinets that back up to the walls. What is good bait and where should I put either the traps or cages (for you Soos)??? Spent all day yesterday cleaning and washing clothes where I found the turds. Of course, that was when all the coins that had been in pockets that I didn't check decided to block drainage and we spent a good hour slowly draining and then removing coins-I'm $3.63 richer now Any and all suggestions appreciated-would like them gone before the GTG although with this group they might be forced out for other reasons carold ps put fabric sofetner sheets behind drawers and in drawers with no backs.

[retiredhappy]

I put live traps baited with peanutbutter in the back of the drawer where you found them; or on the living room floor. When I was in Las Cruces several years ago I had a bunch. Caught 7 and turned them loose across the CG on the tenters. I just can't do dead bodies to dispose of and I'm afraid with bait they'll die INSIDE the MH. I then put dryer sheets in all my outside compartments and cupboards.

[carold]

Thanks Karen. We have put down traps with peanut butter and some of the glue kind and have to go to the store to get more dryer sheets for the rest of the MH. How long before the traps worked? no luck last night. carold

[cpatinjones]

I dread having that problem.

[Getupngo]

This is the sum of my experience: Good luck.

[Bethers]

I've had 3 different mice find there way in here. If you know where they are bedding down - that's the area you want the trap. Or anywhere you know they are traveling. I use trap with peanut butter also. Longest it's taken me is 2 nights to catch one. Last guy was a little more difficult as I couldn't figure out where he was spending the night - but did figure out how he was coming down from the upper bunk to check for food in Peaches dish - so put the trap on that path - got him that night.

I prefer the humane traps that don't kill - used it for the first one - but none of the stores had one when the 2nd, then 3rd guys were around - so, unfotunately, these 2 lost their lives for thinking this was the place to visit.

Good luck.

[Nasoosie]

Live traps, as Karen uses, are what I use. The most hateful kind of traps are those sticky things that capture the poor creatures and fasten them to die an agonizing death. I spent an entire lunch hour at school one day freeing one little mouse from that hideous contraption.

Havahart makes mouse-sized traps, but with those you can only catch one mouse at a time as the doors slam shut when one is in there. I usually set at least two Havaharts, and now, in the trailer, I have larger live trap called the Victor Tin Cat. This trap allows many mice at a time to be caught overnight, opens easily to allow for release, and I think I will get anther one of these for the house so I can get more than one at a clip.

Peanut butter is the best bait for me---in both the Havahart little trip platforms, and I put it on a little 'dish' in the tin cat.

Here's a couple of pictures of my Victor Tin Cat:

This is with the cover closed.



The Tin Cat opened up to show the two entrance tunnels at each end. There is a little flapper on the floor of each access tunnel that goes down with the weight of the mouse and allows access, but then snaps closed when mice are inside so they can't get back out.

I have caught up to 4 mice in a night with this neat trap! Saves having to get up when you hear a snap as I do with the Havaharts. But you MUST remember to check this trap each day, as the poor things can't live in here very long. Actually, you have to remember to chek all live traps every day.

PLEASE, if you must use a killing trap, opt for a quick death snapper one rather than those torture chamber papers with glue on them. They give me nightmares, and I would love to see the inventor of these stuck to one!

[AlmostThere]

Here at home I trap'em and flush 'em!

[retiredhappy]

I'm with Soos on those sticky traps. Its really cruel. Have heard of the poor things trying to chew their own foot off to get free. They can still be alive hours after being caught on these. I don't want them in my rig but I just can't be that cruel to a living creature. I think poison is kinder.

[BarbaraRose]

I'm with Soos on those sticky traps. Its really cruel. Have heard of the poor things trying to chew their own foot off to get free. They can still be alive hours after being caught on these. I don't want them in my rig but I just can't be that cruel to a living creature. I think poison is kinder.

I totally agree! These are very cruel. I also have heard they will chew their own feet off to get away. Then when you find them stuck on one, what do you do to kill them? Not a good situation for you or them! If you have to do them in, do it quickly. Poison can be a painful death as well. Just can't stand anything having to suffer

[JanetA]

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek ! ! ! ! !

[dpf]

Sure my stance won't be very popular. I can't stand snakes or the little four legged rodents..but if I see a snake outside around the house (and we seem to have plenty of them this year) it's going to live (unless it manages to get inside the house) because I know they eat mice and I hate them more. I love animals but I will set traps to kill mice because they are a hazard to our health plus can cause a major expenses because of the damage they can cause to our homes whether it be sticks and bricks or on wheels and our personal property.....the garter and bull snakes around the house only scare the livin' crap out of me. Peanut butter is a good trap bait...so is gum...those little buggers love Juicy Fruit gum...chew it a little and stick it on the trap. I put moth balls in the storage compartments of the 5er...never heard of the softener sheets but will put some of those inside this Fall.

[Redetotry]

I agree, mice are a health hazard but IMO the dryer sheets and moth balls are also a major health concern. Common side effects of dryer sheets include
cause central nervous system disorders, headaches, and loss of muscle coordination;
irritate mucous membranes and impair respiratory function;
cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or drowsiness;
cause liver or kidney damage;
cause skin disorders and allergic reactions;
cause cancer

The chemicals from dryer sheets are air-born and then the double whammy of having direct
contact with our skin.

Mothball side effects
#
Mothballs contain naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene - naphthalene is the most dangerous.
#
Store mothballs in a well-ventilated area away from children and pets.
#
Do not store baby clothes in mothballs. The naphthalene can be absorbed through the skin when the child is dressed in the clothes.
#
Signs of mothball poisoning in the elderly may be mistaken for dementia.
#
Mothballs are hazardous waste and should be disposed of at a licensed hazardous waste facility.
#
Do not handle mothballs with your bare hands. Always wear gloves.
#
Mothball ingestion or repeated exposure to fumes can be fatal.

Read more: How to Identify Signs of Mothball Poisoning | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_155782_identify ... z0unXTXJVa

[retiredhappy]

I do understand people not liking mice but when my daughter was young we had pet mice, rats, snakes (not my favorite) hamsters, guina pigs, cats, dogs, a goat, horses, rabbits and even a pet rooster. In other words, most anything that had fur or feathers and I was actually quite fond of one her pet rats so I don't look at them in quite the same way as most people. I just can't stand to see anything suffer. About the only thing I can kill without qualms are flies. HATE cockroaches!!!! Just not a bug fan except for maybe ladybugs, walking sticks, praying mantis.

[carold]

Thanks everyone. Could not find any of the "live traps" in Newfoundland so wound up using a "quick kill" with peanut butter. Worked in 2 nights-caught a mother mouse and tonight, sat down, looked down where Bob had just put down his book and there was a baby, barely alive. Bob put it outside, but it probably won't make it. Assuming there might be more as they usually have 4-5 at one time. Wish we could have caught them all and set them outside. Hopefully we won't have any more. Redetotry, thanks for the info. carold