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CaLBaR's avatar
CaLBaR
Explorer
Dec 29, 2017

Mice in the trailer - first time in 11 winters

Went to the trailer today just to do a quick check and @#$%^& mice. First time in 11 winters with this trailer and never had them in the first trailer either.

They are in one of the utensil drawers. I think they are frozen because when I opened the drawer they didn't move or scurry away, just stayed curled up in the shredded dish and wash clothes. I am pretty sure if they were not frozen they would have scurried away before I got the drawer open.

Guess I need to go and clean up the mess tomorrow and put in some mouse traps. Any suggestions for cleaning and disinfecting things?

Fortunately a quick look and it seems like 2 in the drawer, some shredded wash, dish clothes and no droppings anywhere else. Maybe I got lucky because it has been super cold here for a couple of weeks. I sure hope so.
Seeking Advice
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Dec 29, 2017
    Probably brought them home with you. Personally I have had the best luck with sticky traps. As for where there coming in? Rodent proof spray foam, some SS screen. Cover every hole larger than a dime sized is about all you can do.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Dec 30, 2017
    “Cover every hole larger than a dime sized is about all you can do.“

    As Don says...DIME size and up.
  • SAR_Tracker's avatar
    SAR_Tracker
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2017
    Peanut butter in a traditional trap. Easy, cheap, quick.

    Then use Lysol to clean up any traces of droppings. Lysol will kill hantavirus.
  • Farmboy666's avatar
    Farmboy666
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2017
    I use sticky pads, cheap and easy. Traps have to be set with a hair trigger and even then they can fail. You can’t get out of a sticky and no bait means your not inviting more mice with a meal.
  • CaLBaR's avatar
    CaLBaR
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2017
    I have used the peanut butter in traps at home before with good success but I do like the idea of not feeding any other mice by using the sticky pads. Will go out today to Canadian Tire and see what they have to get rid of these @#$%^&* mice.

    DW says sell the trailer now that she is grossed out with the unwanted tenants. Will get rid of the mice, cleaned up and should all be good.
  • CaLBaR's avatar
    CaLBaR
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2017
    Farmboy666 wrote:
    I use sticky pads, cheap and easy. Traps have to be set with a hair trigger and even then they can fail. You can’t get out of a sticky and no bait means your not inviting more mice with a meal.


    Think I might go with the traditional trap. Was reading reviews on line and the sticky pad adhesive gets hard in the cold weather. One person said they saw the footprints on the adhesive but no mouse. It is going to be mighty cold for the next few months and want the mice out.

    Thanks for the good suggestion though. Too bad it is so cold out.

    Rob
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2017
    Ya, sticky traps won't work in the Great White North. Typically, for mice and rat trapping, I relied on the wooden base Victor mouse trap. Two traps positioned in a slightly inclined "V" with bails opposed, knocks out even an athletic rat and destroys mice.

    Lately, I've been using plastic snap traps that Ms. Westend picked up somewhere. They do the job and are easy to clean and store. This year, even with the aid of two fairly good cats, we have had mice in the house. The cats will get a lot of them but we set traps at the first sign.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2017
    CaLBaR wrote:
    Will go out today to Canadian Tire and see what they have to get rid of these @#$%^&* mice.


    We live on a ravine lot and from time to time have had mice issues and lately rat issues. This Rat Zapper from Home Depot has caught quite a few, the advantage being the dead rodent can't run off after being zapped. Crappy Tire sells a more expensive version though I don't know why it would be any better.
  • TurnThePage's avatar
    TurnThePage
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2017
    I tried a sticky trap this fall in my kitchen. It resulted in dozens of mice poop pellets and scattered fur all over the kitchen and dining room. Finally found the trap wedged between furniture and wall. No mouse. Snap traps worked right away. The wood ones are cheap and we just threw the whole thing away after use. Also had great luck with decon(?) poison. It came with a little box that would prevent anything larger than a mouse from gaining access. Have never found the poisoned mice. I'm assuming they left in search of water before dying.

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