So you have some uninvited guests taking up residence in your home, huh? I don't mean your in-laws either - this article won't help you with that problem... I'm talking about those furry little mice that are actually kind of cute, when they're on TV in cartoon format - Tom and Jerry anyone? You're not reading this to hear me ramble on about cartoons though - you want to know how to get rid of mice fast.
If you're asking, "Why me?" you're not alone... Thousands of homes each year get invaded by these little rodent, but do not despair. They're not there because you have a dirty home, they're just looking for a place to live for a while. Mice tend to migrate indoors during the fall months as the temperatures get cooler. They have a natural tendency to move in closer to a source of food... yes that bag of dog food in the garage, or that box of cereal in the pantry, or that peanut butter sandwich you dropped behind the couch.
OK - so how did they get here in the first place? Mice are incredibly agile creatures. The common house mouse is capable of squeezing through a hole the size of your pinkie. Take a look at that finger and think about it - in your entire expansive house do you have any holes that big leading to the outside world? Maybe a pipe, or a cable that isn't sealed properly. Maybe ground floor window that is stating to crack open. Seal those holes up... NOW! You might get rid of your mouse problem, but it won't do you a bit of good because they're like the "Ah-nold" - they'll be back!
So what do you do about it... people are always building better mouse traps, but what's the best?
A lot of people tend to go with the old fashioned spring loaded bar trap... ya know the one you always see on TV. They work sometimes, but you may find yourself up against one smart mouse and that bait will be missing and the trap won't be snapped.
You may also be considering the poison option, but let me advise you against this one. If the mouse eats that lethal dose, who knows where it will end up. As luck will have it, it'll probably bite the dust inside one of your walls and stink up your house for weeks or months.
Your best bet, though it may be considered inhumane by some, is the glue trap. Basically it's a piece of cardboard or plastic with an extremely sticky surface. You place bait on it, and once the mouse walks on it, it'll get stuck. These work quite well, but sometimes the mice will die a prolonged death because of exposure. Try to check these traps daily or you may find yourself a dead mouse who died a long painful death. If you're lucky (depending how you look at it), you may even find it alive.
There are also various live catch traps that are considered more humane but only if you check the traps regularly. If a mouse lands itself in a live catch trap, it may still die of exposure or extreme stress. These traps can be found at your local WalMart or hardware store. There are various trap designs out there, such as wire cage traps or the box and door traps. You'll have to see what's available.
One last thing... If you go the way of a live catch trap, make sure to release the mouse miles away from your home. Mice have an extremely keen sense of smell that will act as a biological homing device..... that will land them right back at your front door, or in your kitchen (you did seal up those holes, didn't you?).
So you still think cheese is the best bait for getting rid of mice? Think again! Check out Jerry's blog at http://getridofmiceproblems.blogspot.com for the latest tips and tricks on the best mouse traps. |
