NY chicken lover!!!!

[Lapeerian]

Would it help at all if I made a solution with mint oil and maybe sprayed it around the outside perimeter of my house?

Wouldn't hurt to try. Spray the foundation walls outside, then around the inside from the basement. Get up high where the foundation meets the house, since that is where they would be climbing in. They travel the walls and floor spaces between joists, so treat from the entry points in the basement then also around the top from the attic. Of course a few current residents may be stuck in between...
If nothing else, it will smell minty fresh at your house!

 

[Lynzi777]

I'll try that first before trying to get anything inside the walls. I'll still also try the bucket thing too and try to trap them that way too.

 

[AQHAchick22]

Blah all this talk of mice is grossing me out

I hate the things...luckily both my dogs are great mousers. If there is a mouse in the house I will know about it haha they regularly kill chipmunks, mice and moles outside and the few times there have been mice in the basement the dogs let us know before there is even any sign of them.

I think your best bet will be traps unfortunately...I love all natural methods but I don't really see how mint would work, I think it's a lot of work for something that can be taken care of pretty easily with a few traps...Good luck! I hope you can get rid of them and find out where they are getting in.

 

[Lynzi777]

Blah all this talk of mice is grossing me out   I hate the things...luckily both my dogs are great mousers. If there is a mouse in the house I will know about it haha they regularly kill chipmunks, mice and moles outside and the few times there have been mice in the basement the dogs let us know before there is even any sign of them.

I think your best bet will be traps unfortunately...I love all natural methods but I don't really see how mint would work, I think it's a lot of work for something that can be taken care of pretty easily with a few traps...Good luck! I hope you can get rid of them and find out where they are getting in.

Oh trust me! It grosses me out more than anything else! I'm hoping to get a handle on it now before it gets really cold and they're in for good!

 

[armorfirelady]

One of the companies makes a round trap. You turn it till it clicks and there is an opening into the round container. When the mouse goes in he trips the opening and it closes on him. I have cats and dogs so the snap kind are not an option.
I've had mice in the house before. I haven't heard any this year. If they are the main floor in the cupboards or walls the cats usually lay there for hours and that tells me where they are.

I have only used poison bait once. For red squirrels. They were in my attic. I opened the hatch the attic and threw the bait all over up there. As fas as I could throw from the stairs. I have blown in insulation up there so it's hard to walk on. I also put spray foam in crack in garage they were using to get in and set a trap up in rafters of garage. Caught one in the trap and the dogs killed it. Never heard them in attic again so I am guessing the poison did its job. I never did smell anything decomposing either.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I missed this whole mint oil thing. Guessing it is supposed to keep rodents away from the convo. I seriously doubt it would work. I watch rodents all summer long run through mint growing all over my land. The smell of mint does not seem to bother them in the least.

Howdi Stranger ,
Mint is not pungent unless disturbed ...Squeezing it between your fingers will release the oils ...& the smell .
Mint oil can be made by either putting fresh mint in vodka when ready freeze & oil rises or in a regular oil for a time - a couple of weeks

 

[stonykill]

Howdi Stranger ,
Mint is not pungent unless disturbed ...Squeezing it between your fingers will release the oils ...& the smell .
Mint oil can be made by either putting fresh mint in vodka or in a regular oil for a time

yes I know this. I still don't see it working. New growth mint is low and they run right over it disturbing it and releasing scent.Or at the very least far too much work to try to deter mice when a few traps and BOOM, your done

 

[Gramma Chick]

I showed the cartoon to my DH, he didn't get it!! I loved it.

It was cute ! It made me think .of this ...
When I go out who will babysit my chickens ..?
LOL

 

[Gramma Chick]

Quote: Walking on it or brushing against it doesnt really fully release the scent .
The oil is more Concentrated also ....I think its only a deterrent .. Some people like the fuss...
.Personally thats what I have a cat for ...thats his job .
He is always bring me mouse nuggets ...tails with some butt attached , Heads only , etc ..I wont get more Gross ...He does though

 

[miquwid]

yeah a good trap or mouser works well