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Mice problem

Jane R2Jane R2 Posts: 13
in Problem solving

My bird feeders are suspended over the patio in my back garden. Earlier today I was horrified to see a mouse on the patio feeding on some of the seeds which had fallen from the feeders. I don't want to stop feeding the birds but I don't want to attract mice. I only saw one but I expect that there are probably others.

If I were to set traps/poison, what kind is best ? How could I be sure of only trapping/poisoning the mice and not small birds e.g. dunnock ? The mouse I saw earlier ran under a nearby water butt so maybe this would be a good site for a trap ?

Posts

  • sanjy67sanjy67 Posts: 1,007

    i have mice in a dense bush near my feeders and they eat the dropped seed, i don't mind them but i had one that had tunnelled into my bed under where i have a lots of bulbs and as i read they like to eat the roots and bulbs he/she had to go, i bought a humane trap from tool statation £3 you set against a wall or edge of something with a little bit of chocolate or peanut butter and bobs your uncle i caught two on different nights and took them to the fields and released them they haven't been back 

  • Jane R2Jane R2 Posts: 13

    Thanks Sanjy67, I'll have a look at the different humane traps available. Next to the wall underneath the water butt seems like a good place. I'd prefer to catch it (or them) and release elsewhere although, never having done it before, I'm a bit nervous about handling the trap with a mouse inside !

  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Ive got them in my garden Jane, we had them in the house when we moved in as it had been empty for a long time, those sonic scarers (the ones that look like smoke alarms) got rid of them in a week or so. they havent caused any damage, a good side effect has been that they have attracted birds of prey to the garden. I understand why you would be concerned, but its unlikely you will be over run with mice, hope it dosent stop you enjoying your garden image
  • sanjy67sanjy67 Posts: 1,007

    they don't bother me but it has a door that drops down at an angle so it cant get back out and eat you image put the bait right at the back of the trap and when the mouse steps on the lever the door drops down, the ones in tool station (usually find these on industial estates) are see through so you can see when it's occupied image

  • LeifUKLeifUK Posts: 573

    You can get bird feeders with a tray beneath, and some can have a tray fitted. The problem then is that you get pigeons feeding. Choose your preferred pest. image

    I would not worry too much about a few mice, as long as they stay outside. I suspect mice are in most gardens. I had some in the garage, I saw them fighting once. My late mother had some. Just make sure you don't leave edibles in the garage. My late mother tried to catch hers with a humane trap. It took the food, somehow. After she died, we found it in an empty dustbin. We let it go, but noticed a broken tail, perhaps from the humane trap. I see wood mice in the local woods when out running. 

    I suppose the best cure is a cat. 

  • Jane R2Jane R2 Posts: 13

    Thanks everyone for all the advice. I think my cat probably used to sort out any previous mice visitors but he had to be put to sleep last year; he was 19 yrs old so had had a long happy and pampered life. 

    Normally I really like to have wildlife in the garden but I've read that mice love to eat garden bulbs and young sweet peas plants and this year I'm planning on planting both of these. Most of my tulips are just about to flower and the sweet peas are still in the greenhouse but are ready to be planted out.

    There's a Toolstation not far from where I live that sells the transparent humane traps mentioned by Sanjy67 for £3.95 each. I'm going to get a couple this morning. I'll let you know what happens. 

  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845

    We have a family of field mice who live in the garage. They cause no damage and I actually think they rather cute!

    re the bird tables,   I have spent hours trying to deter the crows who really cause chaos.  The arrival of a new BBQ required the repositioning of the bird table and it is now in a corner, No Crows! They seem to be worried about flying into a corner ! Win!

    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • LeifUKLeifUK Posts: 573

    You could net the plants while young? I net my veggie seedlings, as the sparrows like to nibble them. And I have blackbirds that like to snuffle in the soil. And I have cats and/or badgers that leave deposits.

  • Jane R2Jane R2 Posts: 13

    2 of the humane traps are now baited with peanut butter and in position ! I just have to remember to check on them regularly. Also decide where to release it/them, always assuming the traps actually work.

    i hadn't thought that the birds might want to nibble on the sweet peas; I'll have to watch out for that. I think I've got some old netting in the shed.

    thanks again for all the advice.

  • sanjy67sanjy67 Posts: 1,007

    when i trapped mine they always seemed to go in them just before i was going to bed around 11/12pm hahaha and felt mean leaving them in there all night so both times i walked up to the fields about 1/2 mile away and released them. They recommend at least a couple of miles but my two burrowers haven't been back, my friend mick had the same problem and was convinced the same one was coming back all the time so he drove it to hastings where he worked (15 miles away image

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