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Mice

Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
in Problem solving
A few years back neighbour "kindly", caually informed us he has mice under his decking, nothing against mice or rats, have had many as pets. The decking is right up against fence, and one of my greenhouses, I had peas,beans,sunflowers, scoffed, I stopped putting them in there, use another greenhouse, in our veggi plot, which is right down the bottom of the garden.  A couple of weeks ago I transfered some good size seedlings out there, stuff that had been potted on, my conservatory is FULL to bursting! A lot of the sweetcorn had been scoffed, I  have no room in the bottom GH so its back in the conservatory, we have seen 2 of the little devils this week, blimey, dont they move. I have to do something, wouldnt want to poison them, plus I have a Border Collie would will eat anything, have heard of "Humane traps", do they work, give me some advice. Can I purchase a "human" size one, that might solve a LOT of problems!!
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Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    You wouldn't be the first to choose a human one! Yes, the humane ones do work but make sure you carry the little captive some distance before release or he will just scamper back.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I was thinkling of the Woods and forests where we walk our dogs, 10 miles away
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Depends on the type of humane trap. I’ve used the little rectangular tubes, baited with peanut butter, and very effective. However,  you have to remove the occupant fairly soon to avoid stressing it too much.
    Also had a bigger metal box type, with one way doors. Better for the mice, but not as popular with them. Also bought a small plastic pet ‘tank’ with a handle, transferred them to that for transport to local woodland. They did have a good go at chewing through the lid of the tank, and had to reinforce it.
     Very sweet to see them inside it though. All field mice here,  we popped them in with a few nuts and raisins, and a cardboard toilet roll tube to hide in. Each new arrival was fussed over and groomed by the current occupants. Almost sorry to see them go!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    People, please, please don't do this!
    In the UK, it's illegal to trap mice/rats/grey squirrels in a live (so-called 'humane') trap and then release them elsewhere - a licence is required to release them.  Once trapped, their welfare immediately becomes your responsibility and you are required to look after them until they can be released by someone with the appropriate licence.  One of the reasons for this law is that you could be spreading diseases by doing this.  It's also illegal to transport them while caged unless you have the required licence to do so.
    If you don't believe me, ask the RSPCA - and expect to be fined.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    Many years ago I used ultrasonic mice deterent and it was effective but that was for indoor space, might be worth looking into its use for outdoor. Anyway may not be a bad idea to get one as deterent for your home before they find a way in.
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    They are not indoors,but eating my seedlings in the green house. Used to have them as pets but this is different!
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    edited April 2021
    We had a problem one winter with mice making their way into the motorhome engine compartment where they started chewing on cables etc. That could end up being very dangerous and / or very expensive.

    We set up 4 snap traps around the wheels (they were climbing up the tyres to gain access) and over 2 nights caught 8 mice. The death is probably as near instantaneous as possible and we could see what we'd caught / killed. The traps were set in proper bait boxes to avoid injury to birds and other animals and baited with peanut butter (mouse favourite apparently).

    Fast, cheap and effective, no nasty poisons or other chemicals and 2 years on we're still using the same traps.

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    Just googled it, apparently lots of ultrasonic deterrents for garden too.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    I didn't know that. I only moved mine down the garden but I would be sorry to kill them. Field mice are everywhere,  here, but harmless, I think?
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Harmless yeah,till your be neighbours garden becomes the local breading ground,and your food gets eaten. Heard that peanut butter was the best bait out dogs love it
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