Discourage mice from entering the flat?

Question

Hi

We currently have a mouse problem in our flat ( I believe this to largely down to food and rubbish being left around - something I'm addressing seperately)

However I've tried to check the entry points of the mice and block them where possible.

There is some evidence of the mice travelling along the skirting boards by the sink , washing machine and behind the fridge. I have been able to block a lot of entry points using expanding foam but can't really do this near the sink etc.

Any ideas how I can prevent them from getting in this way ?

Answer 1

Though VERY unattractive, my husband once put some 90 degree flashing on ports of entry behind the baseboards.  

Because the flashing is in an opened up  V sort of shape, it also went up the walls  a bit...you can always paint it to coordinate with the walls :)  It can also be applied near the sink, especially inside the cupboards near the plumbing.

The steel wool works great for mice...not so good for rats.  If you just have mice, try it!

Answer 2

We had a mouse problem in our apartment.  We blocked their entry in a number of ways (they will eat through the expanding foam we found out).  The best way to block them is to use steel wool, they can't eat through it and you can stuff it in every crack and cranny you have.  We also block their entrance into the apartment from the storage area by creating a line of sticky pads that they couldn't run across (if you can handle the rest of it...my husband took care of that for me, I'm too squeemish).  We put weather stripping on all the doors too.  And then we went nuts about cleaning and keeping the place immaculate.   We bought a ton of rubbermaid containers for food (every dry good).  Only ate inthe dining area and swept after every meal thoroughly.  We also washed the floors constantly as a way to reduce the scent of old mouse tracks.  It seemed like an unending problem as we lived in an old building in an old town where every building had mice.  We were able to reduce the problem this way.

Answer 3

Filling holes is a constant battle because mice will gnaw new ones when they cannot get through the blocked ones.

While I agree that food and rubbish does not make for nice living conditions, mice come into homes for shelter more often than for food.  Finding food is an extra bonus.  

I gather you do not want to use the old standby a mouse trap, which is more humane than a glue strip which catches the mouse and lets it die of dehydration.  Poisons are problematic expecially with small or not so small children.  Aside from the danger, poisons let the mice go somewhere else to die which results in odor problems.  

There is something called a "Heavy Duty Pet Chaser" made by Victor, though I am sure others make a similar product.  It plugs into an outlet and sends out variable ultrasonic frequencies which annoy the mice so they leave.   Lowes Home Improvement sells them as do most hardware stores.

Victor®

2x Heavy Duty Pest Chaser

Item #: 238786       Model: M792

$29.97

1 unit covers larger-size room

Non-repetitive wave pattern prevents rodents from habituating to the sound

Red light indicates unit is broadcasting in ultrasonic frequencies

High-frequency, ultrasonic sound technology repels rodents

Easy to use – simply plug the unit into any outlet

Safe for use around humans and all non-rodent pets

Answer 4

Go to your Nearest Animal Shelter & adopt a young Cat. It will quickly become a "member" of your Family, & the mice will QUICKLY move out!  :)

Answer 5

you could just get some mouse traps if you dont mind having to dispose of the bodies!  i actually think your lucky just having mice-  my house is infested with spiders!!!!eeeeek

heres some sites that might help

http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/mice...

http://www.asktheexterminator.com/rodent...