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If you want to know how to get rid of mice humanely, safely, effectively and permanently then you should read this page. It covers everything from which methods do not work, how to keep mice out of your home and how to remove any mice that are in your home.
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Getting Rid of Mice Tips
- Glue traps, poisons and ultrasonic devices are not recommended.
- Good sanitation will not totally prevent mice infestations.
- If you don't take steps to prevent mice from entering your home, you will never be rid of mice.
- Mice can enter a home through an opening the size of a pencil.
- Trapping mice is the most humane and effective method of getting rid of mice in the home.
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Introduction
- They are cute when you see them at Disneyland or in a pet store, but not when you see them running around your house. Having them in your home is not only creepy, but unsanitary. Mice have been known to carry over 200 diseases.Michigan Department of Agriculture: Questions & Answers about Mice
- This guide will cover how to get rid of mice effectively, humanely and permanently. Although it may take a little bit of work in the beginning, in is worth it the long run.
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How to Tell if You Have Mice
- Because mice are nocturnal, they can often reside in a home undetected for some time. Utah State University Extension: How Do I Keep Mice Out of My House? If you happen to see a mouse during the day, it is usually a sign that there are several mice in your home.Utah State University Extension: How Do I Keep Mice Out of My House? Here are some of the more common signs that there are mice in your home:
- Mouse droppings.
- Mice deposit 50 to 75 pellets or droppings each day.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- Dropping are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- They resemble black grains of rice.Georgia Faces: Menacing Mice Move Indoors (December 20, 2007)
- Gnaw marks.
- Gnaw marks will be about 1/32-inch wide.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- Mice typically gnaw 1-1/2 inch wide holes in cardboard and similar materials.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- Marks will often appear on food containers and food packages.Georgia Faces: Menacing Mice Move Indoors (December 20, 2007)
- Musky odor.
- House mice and their urine have a very particular musky odor to it.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines
- Smell may be found in cupboards or drawers.Utah State University Extension: How Do I Keep Mice Out of My House?
- Rats do not have the same odor.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard
- Scratching or squeaking sounds from the walls and ceilings.
- Mice are known to have caused structural damage by chewing on wood.The New York Times: Mice News
- They will also chew through wires and use insulation to make nests.The New York Times: Mice News
- The noise is often louder than people would expect from mice.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- Mouse nests.
- If you're not sure whether or not you have mice, try this wonderful little test. Place a cracker or a piece of bread with peanut butter along the wall or on the floor and scatter flour or talcum powder around it. Leave it over night and check for tracks in the morning.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard
Methods to Avoid
- There are four pest control methods that are not recommended because they are either ineffective, inhumane or provide greater health risks for you and your family. These methods include ultrasonic devices, glue traps (glue boards), [[#Poisons (Rodenticides)|poisons]] (rodenticides) and cats.
Ultrasonic Rodent Repellents
- Ultrasonic rodent repellents claim to use "ultrasonic sound waves attack the auditory and nervous systems of most common pests causing them pain and discomfort." According to Louisiana State University, the frequency hearing ranges of various animals are (in Hertz):
- Rats: 200-76,000
- Mice: 1,000-91,000
- Humans: 64-23,000
- Dogs: 67-45,000
- Cats: 45-64,000
- If you review some of the claims the devices make:
- One device stated that the range of sound waves emitted from its device was between "approximately 30,000 to 65,000Hz."Health Safety Pro: Electronic Pest Repeller - 5000 Sq Ft Coverage: Health Safety Pro Since cats can hearing ranges up to 64,000Hz, they would most likely be able to hear it.
- Another device claims that it uses "patented Digital Pulse Technology" that is safe for pets except "hamster, gerbil, mink, chinchilla, guinea pig or similar pet."Official Home Page: Riddex Plus Digital Pest Repeller - Electronic Pest Control - Tv Website Notice that cats hear better than gerbils and guinea pigs. Cats, dogs and people hear better than chinchillas. Therefore, if it is capable of bothering them, it should be bothering the rest of us.
- Ultrasonic devices have been tested both in laboratories and in the field and most of the results showed that these devices are not effective.University of Tennessee: Managing Pests Around the Home The same goes for electronic, magnetic and vibration devices.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines
- In the 1980s, the Federal Trade Commission forced several companies to give refunds after charging them with false advertising.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Ultrasonic Pest Control? Save Your Money
- Furthermore, ultrasonic devices do not penetrate behind objects and mice quickly become accustomed to regular repeating sounds.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines
Glue Traps or Glue Boards
- Glue traps, or glue boards, are essentially a tray of very sticky glue. The mouse is then caught when it steps in the glue. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. Here is why you should avoid using glue traps:
- Although glue traps are designed to suffocate mice (which can take hours), they often die instead from starvation or dehydration (which takes several days).Helping Animals: Glue Traps During this time, mice have been known to try to free themselves by tearing their skin off and/or gnawing their legs off.About.com: Using Mouse Glue Traps to Get Rid of Mice
- The Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend glue traps because they can increase your risk of being exposed to hantavirus.Center for Disease Control: Trap Up!
- Glue traps often trap and kill birds, squirrels, snakes and even kittens.Helping Animals: Glue Traps
- Children and pets can get caught in the glue, which can be very difficult to remove. (Use vegetable oil.)About.com: Using Mouse Glue Traps to Get Rid of Mice
Poisons (Rodenticides)
- There are three types of rodenticides on the market today: acute toxins, calcium releasers and anticoagulants. Most sold today are anticoagulants (or blood thinners) that cause mice to bleed to death internally.The New York Times: Mice News They can take a long time to kill. Some of them require rats and mice to eat them each day for a week before they die.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard Here are some reasons why you don't want to use rodenticides in your home:
- Mice that feed on the poisons will die where they live.Utah State University Extension: How Do I Keep Mice Out of My House? In other words, in the walls of your home. This can cause a terrible odor as the mice slowly decay.Georgia Faces: Menacing Mice Move Indoors (December 20, 2007)
- To kill all the mice in your home, it can take up to three weeks before they are effective.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Poisons pose a great danger to children, pets and wildlife that eat the poisons.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard
- Pets and wildlife are also in danger should they eat mice that have been poisoned.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
Cats
- We grew up seeing cats chasing mice on cartoons such as Tom and Jerry, Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks, or The Simpsons's Itchy & Scratchy. It makes sense that cats would be great at getting rid of mice. This is not true.
- While it is true that mice are instinctively afraid of cats and that the initial odor of cats will scare mice away, the smell of cats can also acts as aphrodisiac for mice.Discovery News: Fearless Mice Cuddle Up to Cats (December 13, 2007) MSNBC: Cats Can Help Male Mice Get Ladies (May 9, 2008) Scientists exposed mice to the smell of cat urine for several weeks. After two months, instead of being afraid, male mice became more aggressive and more attractive to female mice in heat (which means more little mice).MSNBC: Cats Can Help Male Mice Get Ladies (May 9, 2008)
- Furthermore, mice have gotten used to living with pets and often obtain food from the pet's dish or from what pets spill.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Mice are capable of finding places to live and hide that are out of reach from cats.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines
- It is possible that cats might be able to spread hantavirus if they come in contact with infected mice.About.com: What Else Did my Cat Bring Home?
Step 1: Make Your House Less Mouse Friendly
- Like any other creature, mice are in search of food, water and shelter. Taking steps to provide less opportunity to find these things in your home is one of the best ways you can reduce mice in your home. Start by searching in areas that are within 50 feet of any food sources.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
Food and Water Sources
- Do a thorough cleaning of your house. Vacuum or sweep under furniture and furniture cushions, behind and underneath stoves and refrigerators, and in and behind cabinets.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
- For more information, check out Mahalo's How to Clean Your Kitchen, How to Clean Your Bathroom, How to Clean Your Bedroom, How to Clean Your Living Room or How to Clean Your Apartment.
- Place garbage in tightly covered trash cans.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard
- Feed dogs and cats in dishes. Pick up any food that they don't eat.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard
- Wash the dishes before going to bed each night.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
- Wipe off stoves, counters and tables.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
- Sweep or vacuum any food that may have spilled on the floor.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
- Make sure any bird feeders are off the ground out of reach of mice.DuPage County Health Department: Let's Get Rid Of Mice And Rats
- Throw out any open containers of food.DuPage County Health Department: Let's Get Rid Of Mice And Rats
- Make sure any places where food is stored or processed is mouse-proof.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Make sure all food is stored in plastic, metal or glass containers or similar type of resealable, airtight container.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Fix any leaking plumbing, dripping faucets or other areas that will give mice access to water.University of Tennessee: Managing Pests Around the Home
- Close off drains in showers, sinks and bathtubs when not in use with inexpensive rubber drain covers or metal drain screens.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
Shelter Sources
- Recycle newspapers, paper bags and cardboard rather than letting it pile up.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
- Keep clothing and linens in sealed plastic boxes or bags when not in use.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
- Remove any overgrowth of shrubs, foliage or vegetation around your home.DuPage County Health Department: Let's Get Rid Of Mice And Rats
- Dejunk attics, closets, basements, crawlspaces and garages.DuPage County Health Department: Let's Get Rid Of Mice And Rats
- Remove trash, old boards, weeds and junk cars where mice can hide.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard
- Don't pile wood, lumber, pipes or other materials against the house.The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Rats and Mice: Keep Them Out of Your House and Yard
- Store materials at least 8 inches off the ground and 12 inches away from walls.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
Step 2: Preventing Mice from Entering Your Home
- Preventing mice from getting in your home, also known as exclusion, is the most successful and permanent form of house mouse control. Before you try to trap or kill mice, you need to take the proper steps to keep them out. Otherwise, you will be fighting a losing battle as new mice will replace the old ones. While this might seem like a lot of work, these measures will also help prevent other pests from invading your home as well as help winterize. Since mice can enter your home through any openings larger than 1/4 inch and are attracted to houses when the detect heat escaping through openings, the goal of this step is to get rid of those areas.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- As stated earlier, you need to seal up any openings larger than 1/4 inch.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines This is about the same size opening as a pencil.The New York Times: Mice News Here is how you do this:
- Seal gaps around pipes with steel wool and caulk or mortar.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- Seal openings around vents and utility cables with caulk or cement.
- Seal any openings on your house's siding.DuPage County Health Department: Let's Get Rid Of Mice And Rats
- Seal cracks or holes in your home's foundation with caulk, metal or concrete.
- Seal up large openings with 1/4-inch wire mesh.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice
- Do not use use latex, plastic, rubber, boards less than 1/2-inch thick, plastic screening, vinyl or insulating foam to seal holes.University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Controlling House Mice UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines
- Place soapless steel wool or copper mesh inside holes before sealing to prevent rodents from chewing through.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
- Makes sure all doors, windows and screens fit tightly.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines
- Cover the edges of doors and windows with metal to prevent rodents from gnawing their way in.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines
- Cover openings around chimney caps with screen.sDuPage County Health Department: Let's Get Rid Of Mice And Rats
- Make sure patching material is smooth, which prevents mice from pulling it out or chewing on it.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Cover (either under or over the vent cover) air vents with mesh screens cut to size and fastened with caulk or a staple gun.The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: How to Control Pests Safely
Step 3: Trapping Mice
- Trapping is the best way to get rid of any mice in your home because they do not rely on hazardous rodenicides and you can safely dispose of any trapped mice.UCIPM Online: House Mouse Management Guidelines There are two types of mice traps available: live traps and snap traps.
Live Traps
- Using a live trap is the most humane method for removing mice from your home. It's even recommended by PETA. Just as the name implies, the traps are designed to capture mice alive. You can also make your own.Helping Animals: Living in Harmony With House Mice
- Set traps against the wall in areas where you have seen signs of mice.
- Check traps at least three times a day.Helping Animals: Living in Harmony With House Mice
- Place a towel over the trap to keep the animal calm.
- Transport captured mice to a designated release site or a wooded area at least one mile from your home.
- If you live in an urban area, take mice to a veterinarian or an animal shelter to be euthanized.Helping Animals: Living in Harmony With House Mice
- Live traps are sold at hardware stores, humane societies and online:
- PETA Catalog: Humane 'Smart' Mousetrap
- Google Product Search: "Live Mouse Trap"
- Amazon.com Product Search: "Live Mouse Trap"
Snap Traps
- There's an old saying about snap traps, "The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese".Quote Garden: Humorous Quotations While snap traps are less humane than live traps, they are more humane than poisons and glue traps. They are also recommended by the CDC.Center for Disease Control: Trap Up! They are also inexpensive and effective when used correctly.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Set traps so that the trigger is sensitive and will spring easily.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Position the trap so the trigger is next to the wall.Georgia Faces: Menacing Mice Move Indoors (December 20, 2007)
- You can purchase snap traps that are covered and easy to set.
- Dispose of mice quickly by placing them (bagged) in an outside garbage container or by burying them.Utah State University Extension: How Do I Keep Mice Out of My House?
How to Set and Bait a Trap
- No matter what type of trap you purchase, it is important that you set, place and bait them correctly. If you don't, you'll be unsuccessful.
- Set traps close to walls, behind objects and in dark corners where you know mice have been active.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Make sure you have enough traps. Using too few traps is a common error people make.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Place traps no more than ten feet apart.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control
- Leave traps baited but unset until the bait has been taken at least once.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control You may have to do this again after a mouse has been caught.
- Do not use cheese to bait traps. It gets rancid too quickly.Utah State University Extension: How Do I Keep Mice Out of My House?
- Good baits for mice include peanut butter, chocolate, dried fruit, bacon or a few drops of vanilla flavoring on a cotton ball.Illinois Department of Public Health: House Mouse Prevention and Control The New York Times: Mice News
- Once traps have been set for two weeks without catching a mouse, and all other signs are absent, you can be sure that the mice are gone from you home.
Conclusion
- Getting rid of mice does not have to be a nightmare once you know how. Best of all, while it may take more work in the beginning, many of the preventative methods will last for a long time.
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