Are there any house pets besides cats that would keep mice out?

Question

I have heard from a couple of people that having certain types of pets such as Iguanas, hamspers, and pet rats will discourage house mice from infesting your home. Any truth to that or just a lot of hooy?

Answer 1

Iguanas, hamsters, or rats won't keep mice away. That's all fallacy. Hypothetically, snakes and ferrets can kill mice, but since they don't have free roam of the house, they're unlikely to catch any.

Besides a cat, your only other option would be a dog. Many small terriers, like rat terriers, Jack Russell terriers, or Cairn terriers, were bred to hunt vermin and are therefor excellent, natural mice catchers!

Answer 2

The best way to eliminate a mice infestation is to keep a very clean home that is crumb free- i.e. keep foods in plastic bins and in the refrigerator. Use D-CON mouse poison, and depending on the severity- call an exterminator. Animals that eat mice can become very sick from eating them because of the diseases mice carry (and the fact that mice can be poisoned), so I would keep any beloved pets far away from wild rodents. Having open animal food containers, like cat food in a bowl on the floor may make the situation a lot worse.

Answer 3

The only thing I can think of would maybe be a small dog.. like a terrier or dachshund.. but in all reality a cat is far more effective at controlling rodents. Hedgehogs dont kill mice.. neither would a rat. These are caged pets.. if you let one loose in your home, it would run away. Snakes kill mice, but you wouldnt want to let one loose in your home either.. it would find its way into your walls or plumbing. A ferret might kill mice, but they are abit harder to care for than a cat.. they have special needs, and again, can get into your walls and ductwork.. they are little escape artitsts! If you moved out of your parent's home, then what does it matter what pet you get? What does your dad care what pet you get? Cats are fairly easy to care for, but still make great companions.

Answer 4

Hamsters wouldn't matter. They're also rodents.

In theory you'd think snakes would, but I have a snake and still have a mouse problem.

Some people with ferrets tell me they're good at killing mice, but the ferret would have to be running loose in the house to do any good.

You're better off figuring out why mice love your home so much. Are there food crumbs? Birdseed in the garage? Pet kibble? Put everything into bins so the rodents don't have an easy soruce of food. Plug holes along foundation, even tiny ones, so make the home less welcoming.

Answer 5

I have a rat terrier and he catches more mice then my cat. Also ferrets kill mice. But I would not get a rodent because the mice will be attracted to it because the food is the same. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Unless the critter is runninf around and chasing mice out, I doubt if there is any truth to this. The only reason cats keep them out is because they kill them.

Answer 7

Glue traps are the best method to trap rats and mice. I found detailed information at http://www.pests.in

Answer 8

NO TRUTH JUST MYTH DOGS AND CATS WILL BUT DISCOURAGE THEM BUT DOGS ARE SLOPPY ABOUT GETTING THEM IF THEY DO GET IN I DON'T THINK YOU WANT BROKEN LAMPS AND SUCH CATS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND CLEANEST HUNTERS OF RODENTS AND IF YOU TREAT YOUR CAT WITH LOVE AND RESPECT YOU WILL HAVE A GREAT FRIEND AS WELL

Answer 9

if you like dogs then i would recommend a rat terrier. that's what they were originally breed for - to get rid of mice and rats

Answer 10

Jack Russell Terrier's were bread for that purpose