Mice

Marauding Mice

It’s hard to mistake those little black “grains of rice” in the kitchen cupboards, accompanied by scurrying sounds in the middle of the night. You have a mouse in the house—and probably more than a few of his closest friends.

Mice are nocturnal, so if you’re lucky, you’ll never see one. But if you happen to notice droppings anywhere in your home, take a good look around. You’ll probably spot more, as a single mouse can produce up to 50 droppings a day—especially in areas where food is prepared and stored. You may also notice gnawed food, mouse holes or comfortable little nests.

The most common mice in Ireland are the field mouse and the house mouse. Field mice, as the name suggests, are found in grain fields, hedgerows, scrubland, woodland and overgrown gardens. They may enter your home when the weather turns cold, but not as often as the house mouse seeks shelter. Field mice have brown fur, while house mice have gray coats. When they aren’t in homes, house mice usually live in warehouses, farm buildings and granaries.

Mice pose a threat because they breed so rapidly. The female can have 5 to 10 litters a year, with five or six “pups” in each. That’s 60 mice from just one female! To make matters worse, females start reproducing at only six weeks of age, so it doesn’t take long for a breeding frenzy to begin.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that a mouse has the ability to squeeze through an opening the same diameter as a pencil !. This allows them to enter your home through attic spaces, small holes around doors and windows, foundations, vents and spaces around plumbing pipes. They are attracted by food and heat, and while their tastes lean toward nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, they will gladly try anything edible. As with their human contemporaries, other favorites include foods high in fat, protein and sugar, such as chocolate, bacon and butter. While mice certainly don’t eat much, based on their size, they are relentless nibblers who will sample anything in their environment—and ruin your food supply by gnawing on it.

A mouse infestation constitutes a health hazard. Mice carry and spread diseases like salmonellosis (food poisoning), tapeworms and infectious jaundice. They also contaminate food with droppings, urine and fur. If that isn’t enough, mice are responsible for considerable damage to woodwork, water pipes, electric cables and household items.

While you may feel sufficiently proficient to lay a trap for one mouse, always remember mouse mathematics: Where there is one, there are usually many. Removal is best left to professionals.

To eradicate a mouse problem, pest-control specialists will often identify all of the areas where mice hide. The pest controller will carefully avoid disturbing nests so mice won’t escape to a new area. The specialist will also work diligently to locate and plug all possible entrances.

Once your mouse problem has been resolved, it’s critical to practice prevention to avoid another infestation:

• Don’t leave food uncovered, particularly overnight.
• Take out the rubbish each day. Never let it accumulate.
• Make sure food preparation areas are kept clean.
• Tightly cover all dustbins.
• Make sure any small holes are plugged to keep mice from entering your home.

Comments

[nancy]

i have mice and really need to get rid theyre not going into traps. will an ultrasound device work now and where is best plance to but them?
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Im sorry to hear you have a problem with mice.
The cold weather has yet to drive them indoors completely.
As mentioned in other posts, ultrasonic units do not work.
Buy good mouse traps and use chocolate instead of cheese. Cheese is so last year. Cadbury's of Dublin produce the best chocolate around for mice, and the recession is really hurting them, so give them your support!
Also, check perimeter of your home for small holes in your walls. Best to stop mice from the outside rather than the inside.
Hope this is of help.
Tom, emergency pest

[Natasha]

HI!
Saw mouse in my bed this night for first time while im leting this house. Very disappointed, because I have little baby and I know that mice are source of different infections and they are quick for reproduction. Is it any regulations that will help me to move out from this house and get my deposit back? Will talk to my landlord tomorrow...
:(((((

[food poisoning symptoms]

We have mice in our house and i am ready to move out. we have caught 3 in total. 1 in the hot press and 2 in the ulity room. we own a golder retriever and he lives in the house. where could the mice be coming from? we live in a mid terraced house and we are the only ones who has mice.we have traps in every room except the bathrooms and out bedroom. have you any advise to help me please

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Just three mice? Thats a light infestation! compared to some of the calls we get..
Theres a clue in your message. The Golden Retriever.
Do you feed the dog inside or outside your home?
If you feed the dog inside, make sure to cover the bowl so mice can't feed from it at night. You will probably find your mouse traps will work better once they only have one food source on the trap.
HOpe this helps
Tom Emergency Pest

[B O'Driscoll]

I have had a mouse problem for the last few winters and have have pest controllers who come in and put down poison. This appears to control the problem for a while but not long term. I have asked two different pest control firms to 'mouse proof' my house but they both said all they do is control the problem.
Like everyone else who has posted comments, I am ready to move out of the house.
Is there anyone I can employ who will eradicate my porblem by finding the way they are getting in?

Hi B,
Sorry to hear you have a mouse problem.
Mouse proofing a premises is less difficult in a detached house than a terraced or semi-detached house as you can see around all the perimeter.

Mouse proofing is also difficult as a mouse can get into a hole the same diameter as a pencil!
Yes, this is true. They can also run UP walls, plastered or brick! They are very smart so don't under-estimate them.

Anyway, I see you have a current mouse problem. Don't be fooled by ultrasonic pest repellers, see the article on this site. You need to proof your home from the outside first and a thorough inspection is best. Check for holes in all walls where pipes enter or exit your building. Also check the electricity box for mouse entry. This time of year, it's probably field mice so they have come from the garden seeking heat and shelter.

Proofing holes in the inside of your home is pointless and will not stop mice entering your home. Once proofing is complete outside, use traditional pest control methods inside.

Any pest control company who refuses to proof your home externally is not worth hiring as they are relying on call-backs to supplement their sales.

Best regards
Tom, Emergency Pest

[Alex Campbell]

We have mice in our house and i am ready to move out. we have caught 3 in total. 1 in the hot press and 2 in the ulity room. we own a golder retriever and he lives in the house. where could the mice be coming from? we live in a mid terraced house and we are the only ones who has mice.we have traps in every room except the bathrooms and out bedroom. have you any advise to help me please

[Alex Campbell]

We have mice in our house and i am ready to move out. we have caught 3 in total. 1 in the hot press and 2 in the ulity room. we own a golder retriever and he lives in the house. where could the mice be coming from? we live in a mid terraced house and we are the only ones who has mice.we have traps in every room except the bathrooms and out bedroom. have you any advise to help me please

[Alex Campbell]

We have mice in our house and i am ready to move out. we have caught 3 in total. 1 in the hot press and 2 in the ulity room. we own a golder retriever and he lives in the house. where could the mice be coming from? we live in a mid terraced house and we are the only ones who has mice.we have traps in every room except the bathrooms and out bedroom. have you any advise to help me please

[tracey foley]

I have mice in my home but i cant aford a profesinal to come in and get rid of them, so can you please give me the best advise to get rid of them myself. I have mouse traps down already, I have chocolate, ham,cheese and bacon in the traps and none of it is working. Iv hade the traps down for 2 weeks now. I am realy close to moving out as they are running on my beds and my sons cot! Please help...

Hi Tracy
It seems you have created a perfect ambiance for you mice with all that food.
Traps are still a great way to get rid of your mice if you cannot afford professional help. You may have a problem with "trap shyness" though. Try this. On the first night, lay down traps with food and DO NOT SET THEM. Leave them unsprung. On the second night do the same thing. On the third night.....yes you guessed, SET THEM. That should solve the problem of trap shyness.
Tom Emergency Pest Control Ireland