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Post by TheCatsFosterMother on Aug 19, 2013 15:27:12 GMT -5
I haven't seen any but I can't really come up with an alternative explanation for the occasional scuttling and scratching noises emanating from behind the fitted kitchen units. I don't keep any food in the lower kitchen units so I'm not sure why they've chosen to take up residence there unless it's for the warmth behind the fridge  Dear Old Lady caught a mouse several weeks ago, which the vet said was quite amazing for a frail little cat of 18, but the cheeky dwellers behind the units don't seem to respect the threat she poses. Understandable I suppose, since she can't physically get behind the units. I'm short of money as I don't have a job right now but a google search brought up a suggestion of scaring them off with peppermint oil. Apparently mice hate the smell of peppermint. I had a huge aromatherapy phase about 10 years ago and after a bit of searching through the bathroom cupboard, managed to find a small bottle of peppermint essential oil. I was worried it might not be potent after so long but even if it has lost some strength that's not easily apparent. So pulling out the drawers above the cupboards I reached through the aperture and anointed the unseen floor with a few drops. I do hope that does the trick. It must be pretty strong because when I came home after my catsit run earlier I smelt peppermint the moment I opened the front door. Has anyone else tried this trick? Is it effective? |
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Post by dreamingofchange on Aug 19, 2013 17:12:35 GMT -5
Hi catsmum
A few of the things I've heard that mice don't like is Bounce fabric sheets, you know the ones for the tumble dryer? Also cayenne pepper. You could try ammonia as seemingly they think the smell is a predators urine! Also keep Dear old lady's food in sealed containers, mice love it!
Hope you find something x
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Post by TheCatsFosterMother on Aug 19, 2013 17:21:57 GMT -5
Hi Dreaming, I don't think the problem can be to do with Old Lady's food as it's always in containers - either in sachets if it's the stuff from the vet or in the fridge if it's something else she can eat safely like mackerel fillets in tomato sauce Thanks for the fabric conditioner and ammonia ideas, I shall add them to my arsenal if I hear any more mousy noises! Catsmum x |
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Post by Perfect Mess on Aug 19, 2013 17:54:56 GMT -5
Those noises could definitely be any small animal like lizards, mice, or even cockroaches if they're the large kind (dunno if you live in the south Iike me).
If you live in a condo or apartment, repelling them might work, but if you're in a house, I'm afraid you may just be spinning your wheels with those natural home remedies because they will just move to another part of the house. Try setting a couple traps inside the cabinet you hear them in baited with peanut butter. Old fashioned wooden traps are super cheep, but if you really can't spare the money, pm me. I have a huge assortment of mouse traps I can't use because they're for mice. Too small for catching rats.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2013 19:42:04 GMT -5
we had mouse problems for years. When we finally got around to renovating our kitchen, we pulled out the lower cabinets and found a giant hole in the wall where they were coming in. I don't know if you can move out your lower cabinets or not. Also I have heard they hate steel wool. Maybe you can jam some steelwool in the cracks and around where the pipes come in?
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Post by shellsncheese on Aug 19, 2013 19:49:18 GMT -5
I'm having mice problems as well TCM. I've heard the peppermint oil thing before but have not tried it. I use glue traps by the spot I know they come in. I also try to seal off holes, but realistically I live in old house (built around 1900) so I'm probably never going to by able to seal all the holes. And I live in the city so mice are just here. I order a sonic sound thing from Amazon, I've heard mixed reviews about them, but I'll let you know how it goes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2013 8:02:35 GMT -5
I have not had much luck with those sonic things. My neighbor swears by them though.
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Post by sophie hatter on Aug 20, 2013 12:40:05 GMT -5
i have a sonic thing, it does make them not hang around but they will still run through the area, i use it to keep them out my kitchen (it's kept them off counters and from infiltrating cupboards), though it wont work if theres large furniture in the way, so i cant use one everywhere.
personally traps and poison seem to have been the best solution, and using filler for gaps (steel wool needs filler round it so they can't push past), i tried the peppermint but it didn't seem to have much effect, i've used steel wool and filler in a lot of areas and they haven't come back in the rooms i've filled the gaps in (only problem is i'm having a tough time getting to all my walls to check each and every tiny gap)
i hate this house for gappy walls and shoddy skirting boards
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