So, It Seems We Have A Mouse (EEK!)

[soren7550]

So, it can now be confirmed that we have a mouse problem. One of the roomies saw one in the pantry. Before that, the other two saw one dart across the kitchen and we found a chip bag that had been torn open at the bottom. Every once and again, I can hear it now, scratching about at something or other (keeping the broom close by now). How can we go about getting rid of ol' Micky? I'd rather not use traps (messy), and bringing in a cat isn't an option (one of the roomies is allergic and doesn't like cats, and as of now, the landlord says no cats even though the other tenants have two cats and one loud ass dog) even though the rest of us want to have one.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Well, when I was in university, we found out we had a mouse. We discovered that it was burrowing into our cereal and rice, and we were finding little poops in places, and at night we could hear it scurrying in the walls. Being four highly intelligent, problem-solving university students, we decided the best way to go about things was to distract the mouse. If it was preoccupied with something else, we figured, it wouldn't eat our stuff. So we bought a huge flat of scones from Costco, and took the wrapping off, and put it in an empty cupboard, away from our stuff. Soon we had dozens and dozens of mice. It was like miceapalooza, 24/7.

Don't try that, by the way. It wasn't a very good plan.

 

[Heronblade]

There are mouse traps these days that don't kill you know. Bulkier and more expensive, but there.

 

[Aris Khandr]

I found a scorpion in my house the other night. I'll take the mouse. I'd take pretty much any household pest over the scorpions.

 

[Lucem712]

I'd suggest something like this.

[http://compare.ebay.com/like/270929512780?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar]
Set it with something sweet, cheese is over-rated
Hope you catch your little speedy Gonzales.

 

[loc978]

As some have said... a trap that closes the mouse in, be it alive or dead afterwards, tends to be the best way. If you poison the mouse, expect it to hide, die, and begin stinking the place up. Don't try hunting the mouse yourself, they're quick and can hide almost anywhere (I've only gotten like... 2... that way. Usually I wind up just wounding 'em, then face the same problem that poisoned mice pose). Nowadays I just leave it to the cat, but since that's not an option for you... cage traps are a good thing.
Also, peanut butter tends to be really good mouse bait.

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

Id just like to point out that the supposedly non lethal traps can still kill them. Mice can die from panic if they are trapped overnight.

 

[scorptatious]

As other people have stated, you should probably use non-lethal traps.

This sort of reminds me of one time I went to Home Depot and saw some sticky traps. For those who don't know, they catch whatever vermin steps on it and they stick there. Unable to move.

It seems pretty cruel to be honest. A mouse could potentially starve to death on there. :'(

 

[Edible Avatar]

Get a empty roll of toilet paper (the cardboard roll) and stick some peanut butter in one end. Balance it on the edge of a counter or table (close to where the mouse was seen) with the PB side over the edge. Then put a empty trash can below the toliet paper tube.

Caught 3 mice using this technique, good luck!

 

[staika]

Well I have a cat but she is basically useless when she's in the house as I've had to catch a few mice since she was content to slap it a few times and then leave. The way I did it was I had a plastic bag and I would physically chase the mice around until I was able to grab them. But all the times the mice were very small mice so if the mouse is a good size or looks like it would bite you I wouldn't recommend my method.

 

[Wintermoot]

bb gun, depending on the state you live in you might need a hunting license.
or you can make a live trap and keep it as a pet.

 

[teqrevisited]

Get a trap, either one. I remember having to trap one by hand with a video case. Another one that got in got chased by the cats and ended up getting flattened against the skirting board by a vase. Had to peel the thing off by the tail.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Well there is rat posion but I wouldn't recommend it as you have to be careful not spreading it too much.

Do what I did, get a small plastic box with a lid and go to where to the area where the mouse visit the most. Leave a trail of bits of biscuits leading toward you as you bend/ kneel down with the box ready in hand. Keep competely still until the mouse is in the open and take the bait. Once the mouse is in position slam the box right into it and get the lid and carefully slide underneath to close it (the mouse will try to pop its head out). Once it is secure set it free.

Ok sure my is cost free but it will cost you your time or you better have alot of free time to pull this off.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

I have cats, lots and lots of cats.

I don't think there is a mouse within about a mile of our house.

 

[Catfood220]

The non lethal mouse traps are quite good, mice love peanut butter so use that as bait.

Owning 3 cats you wouldn't think I'd need mouse traps. Well my cats contribute more to my mouse problem than solve it, they go out, catch a live mouse and bring it into the house, usually meowing loudly to let me know. They then let live mouse go which scampers off and hides. I wake up in the morning to find all 3 cats patiently staking out the bookcase.

Of course cats being cats, they get bored/tired/hungry and give up leaving me to deal with the mouse problem.

 

[Candidus]

you can get non lethal traps that are basically tubes with a bent in them and a door that falls down and the mouse can't back out and you then simply dump them outside somewhere.

and enterprising person could possibly make one as its a relatively simple design:

you put some food in the far end to entice them in btw

they like chocolate more than cheese

don't let them stare at you or you feel rotten and want to adopt them...

You can make one of these yourself.

Get a cardboard box, a sock, some cheese and some good tape. Cut a hole in the box and cut the toes off the sock, then attach the sock going *in* to the box. Put the cheese in there too. If you ate it during the other steps, go get more.

Once the mice are inside, the sock obviously collapses behind them. They can't get out, but more can get in.

That's how I deal with them. Take them out to the countryside and let them go near a hedge. Easy for me, because I live in the countryside.

Pretend you thought it up yourself for bonus points.

 

[spartan231490]

So, it can now be confirmed that we have a mouse problem. One of the roomies saw one in the pantry. Before that, the other two saw one dart across the kitchen and we found a chip bag that had been torn open at the bottom. Every once and again, I can hear it now, scratching about at something or other (keeping the broom close by now). How can we go about getting rid of ol' Micky? I'd rather not use traps (messy), and bringing in a cat isn't an option (one of the roomies is allergic and doesn't like cats, and as of now, the landlord says no cats even though the other tenants have two cats and one loud ass dog) even though the rest of us want to have one.

Traps aren't messy, it's not like the mouse gets ripped open. To use traps you do need someone willing to carry the trap outside or to the trash and open it to get rid of the mouse. If that's not an option you could go with those one-use traps that close around the mouse sealing it inside a can-looking thing. I don't suggest poison, it's unpleasant to just find dead mice lying around, and you wouldn't want to accidentally poison the dogs or cats of the other tenants. If none of those appeal to you, you could always buy some thick plastic bins to keep your food in, it probably won't get rid of the mouse, but it will prevent the mouse from spoiling your food.

 

[Nyaoku]

Peanut butter and a bucket near a ledge. They can't climb out but they love the stuff. Just hang it above the center where they'll think they can get it.

 

[Richardplex]

I was expecting a thread about someone who used a laptop who finally got a mouse. I am disappoint.

 

[DudeistBelieve]

Dude. Mouse trap. Thing slams down on the mouse's head, kills them instantly. No mess, just a dead mouse carcass.

For the sake of humanity, I implore you NOT to use glue traps unless you are a sadistic bastard.