Are there any Natural ways of getting rid of mice?

1. 91

   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   Are there any Natural ways of getting rid of mice?
   
   We recently bought a house that has mice in it. Are there any natural ways of getting rid of them or encouraging them to go back outside?

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2. 60

   mlzingarellaposted 12 years ago

   Yes! Get a cat. I am sure that you are probably aware of that option and therefore looking for other alternatives. When we were having issues with mice and chipmunks in our home, and looked into natural alternatives, we found that you can buy the urine or smell of predatory animals. So, you can buy fox urine, for example, and find where the mice are entering and nesting. Consistently spread the scent around the area. It might take some time for the mice to take the hint and move along, but it can be effective. Sadly, the most effective means are also the ones which are not natural or humane.

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   1. 91

      peeplesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hmm fox urine, never heard of that. I'll have to figure out where to buy something like that. I have two cats but they are too lazy for mice hunting and I'm not fond of killing the mice.

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      ShootersCenterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Fox urine can be purchased at most stores that carry hunting supplies, probably Wal-mart would have it in the sporting goods.

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3. 37

   ChristinSposted 12 years ago

   another trick is to find where they are chewing holes and fill those holes with brillo pads, they can't chew through the metallic stuff and get in through the holes.   If you have a large infestation where you are seeing more than one mouse consider using traps - they have traps that electrocute the mice when they go in which kills instantly and is more humane than a glue trap or snap trap.  It seems cruel, but mice reproduce very quickly and and are extremely prolific.  They will destroy anything they can chew, which is pretty much everything and they pee and poop all over.  We live in the country near a large farm.  We keep cats inside and out and mice rarely make it inside now.  When they do we get rid of them quickly.  Having dealt with one infestation when we moved here, I was determined it would not happen again. 
   
   They love inside the walls so block the holes and give them nothing for a food or water supply.  Put away all foods, turn off all faucets tightly and clean all your surfaces that they walk along regularly.  Mice have terrible eyesight, so when you change their environments a lot they get frustrated and scared and will relocate, but that could just make it worse.. They rely strongly on their sense of smell which is very keen.
   
   Cats are great, so are certain dog breeds as well.  Some dogs are better mousers than cats.  As a rule, female cats tend to hunt better than their male counterparts, but I've seen our blue heeler kill a mouse a few times inside and out.

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4. 0

   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Peppermint oil can work for ridding an area of mice. You can use this indoors or outdoors. It is a natural product that is safe for humans and animals.  Make sure that the peppermint oil you use is labeled as 100% pure. Simply put a few drops of the oil on some cotton balls. Leave the cotton balls in the areas where you know the mice are living.
   
   Moth balls will also get rid of mice about 65% of the time. Take the moth balls directly from the box and place them in the areas inhabited by mice.
   (Moth balls are toxic and should not be used in non-ventilated areas or around kids and pets.)

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      donnah75posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I was just about to ask this same question when I saw it in my feed. JThomp42, have your tried the peppermint oil?  I am going to try it.  I found mouse droppings in my desk drawer at school.  Yuck!  Thanks for the tip.

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, It sure does. Plus it does not kill them it just keeps them away.

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5. 61

   heatherleexposted 12 years ago

   As someone already mentioned..... Cats!  They are great for that type of thing.

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6. 92

   MizBejabbersposted 12 years ago

   Cats, hmmmm. I've had cats for years and most wouldn't touch a mouse. In fact they thought the mice were just part of the housepets. Then I read somewhere that a cat had to be trained by another cat before it would catch a mouse. My Tas was trained by his mother and is a good mousecatcher. He even taught my senior cat, Katrina, to catch mice. But they can't catch them all. I live in a concrete house by the woods and have no idea how they are getting in. I'm glad you asked that question and am glad to try some of the suggestions.

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7. 60

   Sparkleaposted 12 years ago

   Peeples:  My sister has had an awful mouse infestation.  She is very clean and keeps her home immaculate, and she had been finding mouse droppings on her tables, kitchen counters, even on the white bedspread in her guest room.  She tried EVERYTHING: peppermint, (maybe not 100% peppermint, as suggested below)...trying to plug holes, even the traps where you can relocate them.  NOTHING worked. 
   
   She finally had to get an exterminator.  It broke her heart, as she loves all animals, and mice really are cute...they just multiply and no one wants urine and mouse droppings on their tables and counters.  It is not safe, sanitary or healthy.
   
   The exterminator was an expert, and humane.  He placed boxes of food that was poisoned...and he told her she would not see anything...that the mice would leave the premises and go outside and die.  Within 2 weeks the problem was solved.  The exterminator then returned and plugged all the holes where they could get in.
   
   My sister is SO relieved not to deal with this problem that she has had for a few YEARS.  She said, "It got to the point, it was either the mice, or it was me."  She HATED doing it, but when it comes to sanitation and health issues, that is a very serious thing. 
   
   That being said I am totally against the glue traps they are the most HORRIBLE, INHUMANE invention I've ever seen.  I don't even want to go into detail what I saw at my place of employment with these terrible traps.  They should be totally banned.
   
   Finally, I found a dead mouse in our bedroom a few months ago, and one at the bottom of our cellar steps a week ago.  Very sad, but we have four cats, who take care of any mouse problems in our home.  Blessings, Sparklea

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8. 61

   Alex Longswordposted 12 years ago

   Try not to leave any single trace of food and keep all food in safe containers. If mice doesn't find anything to eat they will be forced to move somewhere else.

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9. 56

   atheistchickposted 12 years ago

   oh dear! don't be like my mother, pick up a mouse with a hand towel and squeeze it slightly....it's so wrong to kill mice in my opinion....I just would bait them out of your house. Put cheese or whatever else they like to eat outside..or you can be part-murderer and get a few cats that like mice...and that'll definitely keep them away... that's just mean tho. I have a hamster and his face looks like a mouse face....I hate hearing about mousetraps and stuff, because that mouse could have been my Hammie

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