Mice

[Adam G]

I've got mice in my apartment, and I've done everything in my power to get rid of them. Since I've moved in, I've done everything I can to stop them... steel wool behind the stove and heat register, snap traps, keeping food covered and not left out, you name it.

I finally told my landlord, and they contract out some pest control company to come in and "fix it". I told my landlord the 2nd time I complained that I didn't want to use poison again (I had found poison bags along the floor near my bed, among 4 other bags in a 500 sq ft apt). Well I got home yesterday and seven new bags appeared.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to can the mice, or what to tell my landlord? They scolded me because I threw out the poison the first time and now say that it is the only way that they will take care of the situation (apparently seven bags of mouse poison is valued at $25, the secretary was sure to tell me).

I appreciate it!

[Ravaging Beast]

There is something you can use that dehydrates they mice. After they eat it, they have to go outside in search of water. Can't remember what it is called.

[StrykerFSU]

If you are in an apartment you are kind of stuck because you need all of your neighbors to be on board. If you keep all your food covered but your neighbors are slobs then the mice will come no matter what. Also make sure that your building is handling garbage appropriately.

The poison does work and at least they go outside to die. Having retrieved a 2 day old rat carcass from my attic in Florida in August, having them go outside is ideal.

I would stay vigilant with poison and traps and double check that you have sealed all the possible points of entry. It took me months to rid my attic of first rats and then squirrels.

[MBlax327]

Unfortunately there are really only three solutions that i have ever seen work for a mouse infestation:

1) poisons. baited food, yada yada. dangerous to your pets, and somewhat cruel (depending on your stance on this issue).

2) fumigation. Turning your house into a gas chamber has got to smell.

3) a cat. My fiance brought one with her when she moved in. now i have no mice.

Judging by the fact that you live in an apartment, your neighbors probably have mice too. this means that no matter how many times you poison the ones currently there, more will come soon enough. To keep them out of your place, I suggest option 3.

[BucLax13]

go to the hardware store, by some boric acid powder (3.00), get a can of evaporated sweet milk(1.50), mix together in a old coffee can or container you can toss... you are looking for a paste like consistency, spoon out onto some wax paper (make sure no one confuses them for cookies) set them out until they harden and then place around under the sink, behind the fridge, under the bathroom sink any where you think the mice are roaming around (i.e. where you find feces)... but not where pets or children can get a hold of them... It should take care of your problem (works great for roaches too)...

we used this system to get rid or mice and rats in our barns...

not only will it make them search for water... it makes them impotent

you can buy live traps at the hardware store... have you tried a regular mouse trap yet?

[BucLax13]

Boric acid is generally known as a desiccant; in other words, it kills by removing the moisture from the body of the target pests, causing severe dehydration which will affect electrolyte metabolism with the potential of metabolic acidosis.

http://devinefarm.net/rp/rpboric.htm

hope this helps

[StrykerFSU]

That sounds much cheaper than buying your own poison or paying a "professional".

[GrayBear]

There is something you can use that dehydrates they mice. After they eat it, they have to go outside in search of water. Can't remember what it is called.

Beer Nuts

[TexOle]

My landlord gave me permission to shoot the mice in my apartment. I decided that would be a bad idea, but fun.

Oil of mint supposedly works well. You sprinkle that around the apartment. It smells for a little bit. There is some fox urine stuff you can spread outside that supposedly works. I am using these beeper things that produce a sound you cannot hear, but the mice hate. They are working quite well. You can buy those at a hardware store.

[MBlax327]

Forgot about mint oil, i've used that to deter pests before, but usually insects. It does work pretty well. Never tried it on mice, though.

[semilaxed]

Nothing was worse than the time I came home and a racoon was carrying a loaf of bread out of my kitchen (back door was left open) like he went shopping for groceries.

But any way, check the areas around your pipes. That is how most pests get into apartments. Most don't use the back door.

[Tim Gray]

Get a cat or two.

[MBlax327]

Thanks, Tim, my sentiments exactly. A good cat will not only "get rid" of the mice you have, but the presence of one will deter further mice from coming in.

[StrykerFSU]

I used fox urine to get the squirrels out of my attic.

[BucLax13]

I take fox urine and put a little bit in my hair when I've had a rough week. What do you think holds it up, slick