What's a humane way to get rid of wild mice?

Question

I don't want to hurt or kill them, just get rid of them...?

Answer 1

A hungry cat~it's natures way

Answer 2

OK, first let me tell you that I own my a pest control company. Personally, I would think killing the little buggers would be the best thing to do. However, since you want to just get rid of them, try these things.

First, seal up any holes that they may be getting in through. For a mouse, a hole the size of a dime or larger is all they need. When you seal it up, use some steal wool, because they can not chew through it because it bothers their teeth.

Second, check out around the outside of your house to see what may be attracting them. Here is Florida, citrus on the ground in yards are one of the most common causes for problems.

Finally, get a "live catch" trap. Most Do It Yourself pest control companies carry these. You will need to bait the traps. I use either citrus (especially if that is what they are eating outside) or peanut butter.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

If they are in the house, find out where they come in and seal these openings. I know this can be hard, mice are so tiny.
You can buy a live trap at the hardware store. They have live mouse traps that trap one mouse, and traps that will trap a dozen. Set them out at night, and release the mice at some distance from your house so they won't come right back. Mice will fight if you leave them too long in a trap together, so release them as soon as you can.
You can catch them in the daytime too, though they are more active at night.
If they are coming in for food, make sure they can't get any.

Answer 4

I have sympathy with your situation... I'd hate to have to use traps or poison and I don't consider them to be particularly humane ways of killing animals.

The best way to dissuade them is to keep all possible food sources out of their reach. This is really hard, but it makes the most difference. They won't go far away but they'll stop relying on your kitchen/shed/patio as their main food supply and will start to forage elsewhere. Plug any entrance holes you can find.

As someone else said, you can buy humane mouse traps - try your local DIY store or search online for "humane" or "live catch" traps. If you bait them with peanut butter and put them along the edges of walls or near mouseholes you're sure to catch some.
Or if you're feeling adventurous, you could try and make your own: http://www.smithsax.btinternet.co.uk/
Once you've caught them you have to release them a significant distance from your house - far enough away so that they won't find their way back to their territory.

We actually used the mouse excuse to convince our landlord to let us get two cats. They're lazy as anything and have never, ever caught a mouse, but the mice don't come inside any more because they know the cats are there.

There's always the bright side - if you have mice, you probably don't have rats...

Answer 5

well, to be honest that's tricky. I get your point of not wanting to kill the wild rats but if I were you I would call a humane Society cause you want to do it humanely and I dont think it will cost you really any money either so try it and I really hope it all works out.

Answer 6

Glue traps are the best method to trap rats and mice.

Answer 7

i'm glad to see your concern for the well being of the wild mice. put 'humane rat trap' on your search engine. on both shop.com and greenfeet, you can get the same rat trap for $34.95.

i recommend you also check out this site:
http://www.helpinganimals.com/wildlife_livingWithMice.asp

good luck!

Answer 8

Decon--wild mice are very nasty and carry alot of disease! They P an mess on an in everything!

Answer 9

Negotiate with them over a snifter of brandy and a wheel of cheese.

Answer 10

sorry but you must hurt or kill them if you plan on getting rid of them.