Forum Topic

Pest control - mice

Have decided we can't control the mouse issue in our Victorian terrace. We got a guy from Rentokill in but he was either lazy or honest - as he said it was not worth our while paying him as there are so many gaps in a house like ours and they just travel up and down the street under the floorboard - it's a long unbroken row of terraces.We have tried the DIY approach for six months or more now. Tried the keeping the house as spotless as possible approach - no mean feat with two children under 4 and have mouse proofed where possible with wire wool and putting out lots of traps which catches the odd one etc. However we have had 3 this week and I'm at my wit's end with it. Does anyone recommend a company that will do a thorough survey and block the entrance points. I don't want them just putting down poison and traps as we can do that ourselves and have been. I want prevention rather than cure! Any recommendations / experiences of local pest control firms would be much appreciated.

Felicity Pugh ● 4884d9 Comments

Trouble is - the little critters can get through the smallest of holes - I've heard it said that a hole you can poke a pencil into is sufficient...Normally, I would recommend removing food sources as they don't hang around if they can't find any, but you already have this one covered off by the sound of it.We also have a Victorian house and suffer on and off from the occasional mouse.In fact, we are suffering from what seems like an entire family at the moment and they are proving troublesome to get rid of due to my own laziness in respect of food sources and not setting adequate traps etc.In the past they have always b*ggered off reasonably sharpish in the face of a cleanup and a couple of well placed traps.I do wonder however how much the success of previous eradication campaigns depended upon the presence at the time of between one and three moggies.Now that we have no cats maybe the mice don't see the point of getting lost quite so clearly!And therein lies my suggestion to you - get a cat... but don't overfeed it - keep it keen![Not an expert - just have some experience.]

Tony Colliver ● 4884d

We do lots or blocking up for various pest control companies if can get a pencil through it a mouse can go through it WWW.ryanpropertyservices.co.ukContact us through our site for a free estimate Regards Mark Ryan

Mark Ryan ● 4884d

Hi Felicity,Been there done that - threw good money after bad with promises that "we can sort it and to no avail". In the end, 2x cats sorted it and they are wonderful mousers for us. It's what they do and all they want is a little stroke, not your card details!!!

Bud Richards ● 4884d

Greetings Felicity, like you we have a Victorian house and like Bud we solved the mice problem with a series of cats over the decades. No problems with cats present(not all cats will do the business - some are brilliant mice chasers and others are not). Good luck and don't worry.

Gerry Tan ● 4884d

A cat is the best bet.Our neighbours are plagued with them but Saville, our Cat, preys on anything that moves. But oddly not birds.  Not seen a mouse here in years.>> and he's been called Saville for 9 years, Wife worked at the Beeb and hated him and didn't like the kitten i bought her! I might add they are inseparable now!

Michael Brandt ● 4883d

We use a small electric traps so no mice or rats die under boards causing smell we have a 100% record of clearance i will ask you to look at your neighbor as most problems come from local houses HMO or bedsits etc

Mark Ryan ● 4883d

Covering up the outside airbricks with wiremesh is invaluable as this seemed to stop our mousey visitors.They still love our shed though.

Matt Prior ● 4883d

Definitely worth a try, but may not help on a run of terraces.

Tony Colliver ● 4882d

Have you tried one of those pest control devices you plug into a socket? We got one after our cat died a few years ago and have had no problems, which could be a coincidence, obviously (maybe they don't like my cooking).http://www.amazon.co.uk/ADVANCED-PLUG-IN-Ultrasonic-Electromagnetic/dp/B0013BK6C2/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1368201608&sr=1-1&keywords=pest+control is the sort of thing. It emits a noise we can't hear but which mice and rats can't stand.

Susan Kelly ● 4882d