Mice Escaped Trap

[littleridgefarmer]

We always use a nice fat juicy piece of bacon - it's harder to pull off the trap and the mice just love it! But it does sound like you got a lesser quality trap. Victor is the best for sure!

 

[dlfridie]

Quote:
I know this is the P&P section and almost anything goes but if killing is desired, snap traps are more humane when they work 'efficiently'. Sticky traps are slow panicked torture and in my opinion should be outlawed. I managed to get them removed from a state capital building where I worked. I am being careful here to refrain from saying not to kill, but rather just saying that if the goal is simply to kill and not to torture in the process, sticky traps are not the answer. It's possible that some readers don't know how grizzly sticky traps are and that they may want to be aware as they are considering their options and hence, why I am taking the time to comment. Each person has to determine their goals.

JJ

Thank you for responding, I appreciate your comments and advice.
My primary goal is to kill the rodents, and my secondary goal is to do it as humanely as possible.
I did glance at the video on youtube.com w/ wriggling mouse on a sticky trap.
But, I wasn't aware it could take days to die.
My sister had an exterminator use the glue traps and she confirmed to me it took days.

I don't know how many mice I'm dealing with here, and I have to do this economically.
Today, I will get more plastic traps & search for the "Mouse Magic" or peppermint oil.
There seems to be mixed reviews on the oils, but I'm willing to try it on the framework around the coop.

A month or so ago, there were no mice/no tracks.
Now, I can't even say how mice are out there.
The straw I put down definitly created the haven for them to multiply.
I take the food up after 9pm when I get in from work.
It goes in a tightly sealed metal shed. Never seen a mouse track in there.

There is no food in the small coop, but they STILL like to go in there at night
(I thought to get warm). Every morning, I scoop out most of the poop in the coops.
My husband told me it doesn't matter if I take up the feed, they eat the poop!
If that's the case, everyone would have the rodent problem.

Anyone, please tell me, do mice enjoy eating chicken poop?
If the dogs can get to it, they gobble it down.
I've even seen the chickens eating it once or twice.
Thanks.

 

[jjthink]

I am not aware of mice eating chicken poop but I couldn't swear they don't

. Have never seen a poop that looks nibbled but I'm not sure I would be able to tell. I keep the poop very well scooped for the bird's sake and darn it all, it seems if I miss even one it ends up on the bottom of my shoe and tracked all over creation - what is that?!?!?!?!??!

I get Mouse Magic at Ace hardware stores. Not every Ace has it but when I called one they told me where else in the area I could find it.

You are doing a really great job keeping the food under wraps overnight - this should prevent things from getting out of hand.

Soon I bet even the mice you do have will take off for the great outdoors. Each year, I find a bit of mice evidence at this time of year - they're seeking refuge indoors because of the temps outside - soon they will vacate the premises as spring approaches. In the better weather I have none.

Some years ago, I had birds in a different coop, one that rats found. In the end, the one and only thing that worked long term was hardware cloth to keep them from getting in in the first place.

Thanks for your thoughtful note.

JJ

 

[wildwood]

I just wanted to pass on info for a humane fool proof trap. The construction of the mousetraps is simple: a clear plastic box (2"x2"x 5.75") with an entrance that is a hanging "door" at an angle. A mouse has to lift it getting in, it cannot lift it back from inside. They are cheap and reusable, you can also drop them in a bucket of water. Here is a link for some for sale on Ebay, no it's not me but it's a great trap and made by a couple of companys, Check it out. http://cgi.ebay.com/4-humane-MOUSET...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a74d31b6
Thanks for a neat site,

 

[Davaroo]

The bucket trap is the way to go. Cheapo and effective.