Mouse problems, please advice.

Mamaof3

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Jan 25, 2016
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Queens, NY
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Someone please help with advice. The day before yesterday i discovered that there was a mouse in my house. I gave yoshi pomegranate and was confused if i was seeing mouse droppings or the seeds o
777883caeca201d5308e9d8f0794cb31.jpg
f the poms. I change out the paper every night, top, bottom and inside the cage as well. I looked inside his cage this morning and this picture confirms that a mouse actually climbs inside his cage and probably eats the pellets that drops to the bottom of his cage. I am so fearful, what if he eats one of the mouse droppings 🙁? Any advice please? I have mouse traps set around his cage. I wish i can actually put them inside his cage to catch it.

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Loko

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Oct 1, 2016
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I would definitely put the cage either somewhere or on something (stable) that would prevent anything from getting into it. The bars look kind of small, but I guess a small mouse could get into it? Also, are there bars or a grate on the bottom of your cage, or is the bottom just newspaper? If theres no grate your bird would easily come into direct contact with the feces and that would not be good. Once the cage is somewhere safe, leave out some of his pellets in a trap, where the cage was, and maybe youll have better luck.
 

Flboy

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I agree, this is a serious situation! Is newspaper needed over the grate?
Where there is one mouse, there are more, sorry!
 

Kentuckienne

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A mouse can get through a half inch gap. What I would do: temporarily put the cage in s new place, because the mice - there are more than one by the amount of poo - have it on their radar. If you can elevate it with a block underneath so they can't climb past the overhanging edge, that's good too. Next, DON'T use poison like D-con. Poisoned mice live long enough to be eaten by raptors like owls or hawks, or by foxes or cats, and the poison will kill them. I hate it, but you must trap them. You can use regular mouse traps, setting them at night, especially near areas where you can see poop. Or you can use live traps and take them far away, but understand that they will probably not survive where you release them. Most important is to mouse-proof your home and the only way to do that is to close off every tiny gap where they can come in. This time of year mice are looking for warm places to nest. You may have nests of mice in a wall, attic, or basement space, under a counter....it can take a while to figure out where they are getting in, block every tiny hole or gap, then find and remove the mice already living inside. I'd do it - they can transmit serious diseases to you and your fids. Just be patient about finding all the entry points as it may take a while depending on your situation, but don't delay on getting and using some kind of trap.
 

Quakerella

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Mamaof3, I wish I could give you some sound advice. Mice are difficult little creatures to get rid of, and even more difficult when you have a bird. See if this helps 8 Poison-Free Ways to Get Rid of Mice | Everyday RootsI didn't read it right through so I can only say use your own common sense. I don't know if raising the cage will help, I hope it does, but mice are excellent jumpers. Good Luck.
 

GaleriaGila

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We faced the same issue a while back. After trying all kinds of ideas, the solution (FOR US) was...

Clean everything up before bedtime, and then remove mouse-attracting food (pellets, for example), leaving out only stuff like chiles. Then replace the pellets/etc. at dawn.

That ended our mouse problem.

Plus, there's always a grate at the cage base to keep the Rbird out of the messes he makes.
 

Scott

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A mouse can get through a half inch gap. What I would do: temporarily put the cage in s new place, because the mice - there are more than one by the amount of poo - have it on their radar. If you can elevate it with a block underneath so they can't climb past the overhanging edge, that's good too. Next, DON'T use poison like D-con. Poisoned mice live long enough to be eaten by raptors like owls or hawks, or by foxes or cats, and the poison will kill them. I hate it, but you must trap them. You can use regular mouse traps, setting them at night, especially near areas where you can see poop. Or you can use live traps and take them far away, but understand that they will probably not survive where you release them. Most important is to mouse-proof your home and the only way to do that is to close off every tiny gap where they can come in. This time of year mice are looking for warm places to nest. You may have nests of mice in a wall, attic, or basement space, under a counter....it can take a while to figure out where they are getting in, block every tiny hole or gap, then find and remove the mice already living inside. I'd do it - they can transmit serious diseases to you and your fids. Just be patient about finding all the entry points as it may take a while depending on your situation, but don't delay on getting and using some kind of trap.

Yes!! Be thankful the problem is with mice, not rats. I had a terrible rodent problem in my last house, and the exterminator service offered "mice are dumb, rats are smart." Once they are removed and the detritus cleaned, the best offense is definitely to rodent-proof your house. Literally every gap must be sealed - this takes time and attention to detail but absolutely critical. Please don't delay; once entrenched their reproduction powers are legendary!
 

OutlawedSpirit

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Growing up, my dad had a major mouse problem in an old farmhouse he lived in. We used mouse traps to catch them, and caught a lot. There is a long story behind that, but not the place or time. Anyways, we had a lot of luck tying a bit of string to the trigger and covering it in peanut butter. They try to take the peanut butter string, and since it is attached to the trigger, they can't just take the bait and run, it actually sets off the trap.
 

plumsmum2005

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Loads of good advice already BUT from experience of having mice in a kitchen cupboard that ate a rubber seal of all things. They wee loads and it stinks. Literally doing it as they walk. You will needs loads of disinfectant to deal with this re the smell and the health risks. Yes to moving the cage and possibly keeping them in their cages until this can be stabilised or have them in another mouse free room. Close all doors at night and if have big gaps underneath use dust sheets/rags, newspaper to block. Mice in one place not good, mice all over the place mind blowing!
 
OP
Mamaof3

Mamaof3

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Thank you everyone for the great advice! I'll certainly be very busy this weekend. 😣

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SailBoat

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A mouse can get through a half inch gap. What I would do: temporarily put the cage in s new place, because the mice - there are more than one by the amount of poo - have it on their radar. If you can elevate it with a block underneath so they can't climb past the overhanging edge, that's good too. Next, DON'T use poison like D-con. Poisoned mice live long enough to be eaten by raptors like owls or hawks, or by foxes or cats, and the poison will kill them. I hate it, but you must trap them. You can use regular mouse traps, setting them at night, especially near areas where you can see poop. Or you can use live traps and take them far away, but understand that they will probably not survive where you release them. Most important is to mouse-proof your home and the only way to do that is to close off every tiny gap where they can come in. This time of year mice are looking for warm places to nest. You may have nests of mice in a wall, attic, or basement space, under a counter....it can take a while to figure out where they are getting in, block every tiny hole or gap, then find and remove the mice already living inside. I'd do it - they can transmit serious diseases to you and your fids. Just be patient about finding all the entry points as it may take a while depending on your situation, but don't delay on getting and using some kind of trap.

Yes!! Be thankful the problem is with mice, not rats. I had a terrible rodent problem in my last house, and the exterminator service offered "mice are dumb, rats are smart." Once they are removed and the detritus cleaned, the best offense is definitely to rodent-proof your house. Literally every gap must be sealed - this takes time and attention to detail but absolutely critical. Please don't delay; once entrenched their reproduction powers are legendary!


Truly great advice! Your location in this huge Country can bring you additional problems, if you have a shared wall between you and your neighbor!

Adding just a bit the the above Posts: Start outside with a insulting foam product. I recommend a product by DOW call: GREAT STUFF, Insulting foam sealant PESTBLOCK. It is a high-density, low-expansion insulting foam product. Have plenty of paper toweling and a 1" plaster knife to flatten /smooth the form. Apply in small shots, there is no reason to over load. If you need more, add a little is better than over-killing with the first hit.

Once you start with this product you really want to keep going. So, with a roll of a bright color painters tape, first slowly tour the exterior of your home noting and marking any areas from very small to OMG big holes, cracks, etc... Pay very close attention to utility connection /piping, electrical outlets, exterior water shut-off /connections and also any place those wonder people from our Telephone or Cable accesses - both old and new. Now repeat from the basement using a flash light (the new LED lights are really good). Double check where the electrical and piping comes in though the wall (foundation). Also all along the foundation (sill) and the side walls. Check behind any electrical panel or meters if you cannot find thru wall pipe. Also check the cloth dryer vent pipe.

While you're outside, remove any brushes and/or earth that is against your foundation and side walls, especially any wood surfaces. Also, a great time to have a spray can of bug guard spray.

If you have not done this before, expect to be very surprised at what you will find! Some problems may require replacing wood boards, patching your foundation, etc...

Also, remember to look around the doorways and foundation windows.

Eliminate excess and food sources, and you will quickly get on top of this problem.

This will also reduce your heating costs a little bit this Winter.

NOTE: If you rent, check your contact before completing any work. If you own a home with a shared wall, check your buy /sell agreement regarding rodent /insect problems.

There is no kind way of dealing with mice. The old fashion mouse trap is still be best and safest way of killing them. FYI: As stated as part of another Post: Rats are Smart, they watch when mice enter and soon follow.
 

Taw5106

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Mouse has to go in my house. We have a local extermination company called AABC and they had a commercial that shows a mouse squeezing its body through a half inch wide gap between bricks on a home. In Texas we have a lot of brick homes and I use to own one. Towards the bottom of the bricking there are half in gaps that allow for moisture draining. When I saw that commercial I was shocked!!! Mice are flexible!

My choice of mouse trap, a living trap that doesn't kill. Then drive far away to release. I have a friend that used sticky boards and caught a mouse. He couldn't bring himself to kill the poor thing but it was chewing its feet trying to escape. He googled how to release a mouse from a sticky board and found that cooking oil helps so he drove several miles away to a field, applied cooking oil and waited to make sure the mouse was freed. My second choice, conventional mouse trap. End it quick, my fids rule!!!


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OP
Mamaof3

Mamaof3

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Thank you for your help everyone, his cage is fully baited with tomcat traps, in and around. As well as other places in the house I feel will catch the little suckers. Gave hubby the heads up that I will be waking him up at the crack of dawn, so he can remove the dead mice(hopefully), before the boys and I come down. Yoshi is in his travel cage tonight. He is not happy.
 
OP
Mamaof3

Mamaof3

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Jan 25, 2016
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Queens, NY
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Twix-Female Parakeet, Twizzle-male Parakeet, foster mommy to my mom's galah- Rosey
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A mouse can get through a half inch gap. What I would do: temporarily put the cage in s new place, because the mice - there are more than one by the amount of poo - have it on their radar. If you can elevate it with a block underneath so they can't climb past the overhanging edge, that's good too. Next, DON'T use poison like D-con. Poisoned mice live long enough to be eaten by raptors like owls or hawks, or by foxes or cats, and the poison will kill them. I hate it, but you must trap them. You can use regular mouse traps, setting them at night, especially near areas where you can see poop. Or you can use live traps and take them far away, but understand that they will probably not survive where you release them. Most important is to mouse-proof your home and the only way to do that is to close off every tiny gap where they can come in. This time of year mice are looking for warm places to nest. You may have nests of mice in a wall, attic, or basement space, under a counter....it can take a while to figure out where they are getting in, block every tiny hole or gap, then find and remove the mice already living inside. I'd do it - they can transmit serious diseases to you and your fids. Just be patient about finding all the entry points as it may take a while depending on your situation, but don't delay on getting and using some kind of trap.

Yes!! Be thankful the problem is with mice, not rats. I had a terrible rodent problem in my last house, and the exterminator service offered "mice are dumb, rats are smart." Once they are removed and the detritus cleaned, the best offense is definitely to rodent-proof your house. Literally every gap must be sealed - this takes time and attention to detail but absolutely critical. Please don't delay; once entrenched their reproduction powers are legendary!


Truly great advice! Your location in this huge Country can bring you additional problems, if you have a shared wall between you and your neighbor!

Adding just a bit the the above Posts: Start outside with a insulting foam product. I recommend a product by DOW call: GREAT STUFF, Insulting foam sealant PESTBLOCK. It is a high-density, low-expansion insulting foam product. Have plenty of paper toweling and a 1" plaster knife to flatten /smooth the form. Apply in small shots, there is no reason to over load. If you need more, add a little is better than over-killing with the first hit.

Once you start with this product you really want to keep going. So, with a roll of a bright color painters tape, first slowly tour the exterior of your home noting and marking any areas from very small to OMG big holes, cracks, etc... Pay very close attention to utility connection /piping, electrical outlets, exterior water shut-off /connections and also any place those wonder people from our Telephone or Cable accesses - both old and new. Now repeat from the basement using a flash light (the new LED lights are really good). Double check where the electrical and piping comes in though the wall (foundation). Also all along the foundation (sill) and the side walls. Check behind any electrical panel or meters if you cannot find thru wall pipe. Also check the cloth dryer vent pipe.

While you're outside, remove any brushes and/or earth that is against your foundation and side walls, especially any wood surfaces. Also, a great time to have a spray can of bug guard spray.

If you have not done this before, expect to be very surprised at what you will find! Some problems may require replacing wood boards, patching your foundation, etc...

Also, remember to look around the doorways and foundation windows.

Eliminate excess and food sources, and you will quickly get on top of this problem.

This will also reduce your heating costs a little bit this Winter.

NOTE: If you rent, check your contact before completing any work. If you own a home with a shared wall, check your buy /sell agreement regarding rodent /insect problems.

There is no kind way of dealing with mice. The old fashion mouse trap is still be best and safest way of killing them. FYI: As stated as part of another Post: Rats are Smart, they watch when mice enter and soon follow.

Went around the house and found an OMG hole! Couldn't believe it. I purchased the product you recommended as well as some steel wool.
 

Kentuckienne

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Oh - if it's not too late at night - maybe check to see if the sound of a snapping trap is scary? Don't want a night time fight freak out when the first one goes off...
 
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Mamaof3

Mamaof3

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Well one just went off right now, and dead mouse waiting to be disposed.

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Taw5106

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Sweety - Budgie 1985 - 1986
Well one just went off right now, and dead mouse waiting to be disposed.

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You go! Mice and rats are pesky! Get em!


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Mamaof3

Mamaof3

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Jan 25, 2016
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Twix-Female Parakeet, Twizzle-male Parakeet, foster mommy to my mom's galah- Rosey
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All last night it was just one. Yoshi on the other hand was whining and crying his fluffy green butt off because he was not in his cage.

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