I found where I think they are getting in and it is the same area an exterminator told me. I've gotten estimates w/ exterminators and contractors to do this work and it seems to be a lot of $$$ going towards labor, which I feel I can do. Besides cementing up my foundation, what are other things I can do to keep the little rodents out????
2007-09-12 15:58:35 · 10 answers · asked by SadToday22 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
You can do this yourself but you're going to have to do some detective work. You will need to work your way around the perimeter of your house and really check carefully for every little crack and hole. Holes in masonry can be patched with mortar (they might have some kind of pre-mixed stuff in a can to do this if you don't need a whole lot). Use a small mirror and a flashlight to look up under the edge of the bottom most clapboards, shingles, siding etc to see if it has come loose anywhere; re-secure it as necessary; mice can climb up there and get into the walls. Check any places where pipes, wires, ductwork, dryer vents, etc pass through the wall (at least near the ground anyway); make certian there is a screen (if applicable) and seal around them as necessary. Go in the basement and check all around the perimiter (the sills etc) from the inside. It might help to turn off the lights in the basement, so you can see places where light is entering from outside (have a flashlight with you). Also, look for any holes in the masonry below ground level that mice could tunnel down to (you wouldn't them see from outside) patch as necessary. You might want to set out traps/poison to get rid of any that have already gotten in already, before they start reproducing! I hope this is of use to you.
PS I used to live in an apartment in an old building that was right next to the woods, each fall there would be an "invasion" of mice (it was like some kind of science fiction movie) I would typically catch about 30 mice each fall (this is the number from my apartment alone; and I was on the 3rd floor!; I'm guessing it was worse in the other apartments).
2007-09-12 16:35:25 · answer #1 · answered by Flying Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mice reproduce at an alarming rate if you have a mouse problem, and it seems you do. I had the problem a few years ago, and I had four small children. Here is what I did. I set mouse traps in key locations like under the sink, in the cellar, behind the couch, and in any area that the kids could not reach or accidentally set one off. I caught many mice that way and eventually cleaned out the nest. When setting the traps, be sure you put only a little bit of bait directly on the trap spring. They will get the bait if the amount is too large. The BEST bait I found was peanut butter and/or cheese. Just a dab so they have to set off the spring if they go anywhere near the spring. It worked. Good luck!!!
2016-04-04 18:07:39 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I bought my fixer upper in the country I had more mice than spiders, and that is no joke.
I am allergic to cats so I had a real problem. First I had to eliminate the little monsters in the house. I caught about 20 mice with snap traps baited with peanut butter and bacon. got the smart mice with glue boards baited with peanut butter and bacon.
The others I got with poison. It took 2 months but I finally got them all.
I then had to fill in every hold, crack, and gap 1/4" or larger since a mouse can squeeze through a hole that small.
Steel wool by itself will not work because they can pull it out. You need to use expanding foam or caulking and steel wool mixed together. The foam or caulk acts as a glue to hold the steel wool in place to they cannot pull it out.
They can also climb very well so patch up holes around your dryer vent and any pipes or wires penetrating the walls. They can even make it into the attic so be sure to put some glue boards up there or posion.
Good luck.
2007-09-12 18:51:52 · answer #3 · answered by mike b 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try steel wool to patch up the holes and get a cat. Steel wool keeps the mice from getting in because they can't chew through it and the cat will scare away the mice and plus, any that manage to get in will eventually be caught by the cat.
Good Luck with your mouse problem
2007-09-12 16:10:26 · answer #4 · answered by JaC6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
mice are like burglars, the more you defend against them the more technical they become, if a mouse intends to get in, he will. they will even climb walls and enter through open windows. towards the end of summer, you know during the time you leave your back door open, if no-ones about they'll just walk straight in.....
that's one of the pitfalls of living in the country.... if you don't live in the country this mouse could possibly be a rat....
get a cat..... they definately work
2007-09-12 21:37:25 · answer #5 · answered by crazy_gang1843 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem. I used mortar, silicon calk (35 tubes), new wood, and hours upon hours of work. But I finally got the house sealed up. It was very difficult but worth it. I also wanted to keep out bugs and cold air.
2007-09-12 16:28:16 · answer #6 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sure if you take your time you can fix the problem and keep them out. If you have a lows close to you talk to them theyll help you get the stuff you need to fix it and tips on how to do it.
and the best way to keep any new mice from coming in your home is to get your self a good tom cat.
2007-09-12 20:34:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fill all open cracks and holes with broken glass and steel wool.... and get a cat
2007-09-12 16:47:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
at the hardware store buy a few cans of great stuff foam, foam in the holes, and cracks, after it hardens cut the excess off,
2007-09-12 16:35:29 · answer #9 · answered by William B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
stuff steel wool into the holes in the foundation. or any crevices you think they are using.
2007-09-12 16:03:50 · answer #10 · answered by puddintain 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋