Twas the night before the night before Christmas

[Fly320s]

Only one creature was moving, a pesky wall mouse.

I have a mouse or mouses living in one of my exterior walls, maybe in the floor area between the basement and first floor.

What are today's better mouse traps?  I don't practice catch and release on vermin, but I would prefer to get the mouse out of the wall before it dies.  Then I will seal the area with insulating spray foam, since Trump isn't here to build a wall.

[Boomhauer]

I've always had good luck with the standard victor trap and peanut butter. Just remember to check it and not forget about it 

A snake is also good for mice control

[Ben]

I've been having to keep traps out in the garage to keep mice from using my 4Runner with the stupid hippy "green" insulation as both shelter and food during the cold months. I have had great success with glue traps. They come "bait scented" (it doesn't smell at all, so good for in the house), but I additionally stick a little food on them. They are SUPER sticky and will trap a mouse if he puts a single little paw on them.

If you're kind-hearted and want to let them go, you can most of the time release them by pouring vegetable oil on them and they will (with help from you) slide off and scamper away. If they really rolled themselves in the glue, you'll end up damaging them more than saving them, so in that case it's better to smash them in the head with a hammer and put them out of their misery.

[Andiron]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Tomcat-Press-N-Set-Mouse-Trap-2-Count-0360710PM/205563821

I had a wall mouse issue last year.  The classic steel spring ones work,  but some of the furry little bastards had gotten wise.  These finished em' off.  More of a hair trigger than the classic style.

I hate meeses to pieces.  

[BobR]

I have used the Tomcat one and Victor Electronic ones but by far the best ones I have used are the glue traps. Once you get used to the little screams of distress from the trapped mouse it's all good. :)

bob

[TommyGunn]

I had mice in the walls of the house I lived in in Connecticut.....used to drive my cat nuts listening to them and not being able to eat them.

[Fly320s]

Trying the Tomcat traps today.

Will the low expansion spray foam keep the mice out?

[lupinus]

I like the idea of the little electric ones. Fry the bastards. Or a good old snap trap with a bit of peanut butter.


Sent from my iPhone. Freaking autocorrect.

[cordex]

I have some which I believe are a similar style to the linked Tomcat traps. I have killed several mice with the same dab of peanut butter.  They work well and are easy to reset - even for ladies who don't want to touch the icky mouse.

Also had good luck with the low expansion foam in walls where they were getting through.

[Fly320s]

Good info. Thanks.

[Phyphor]

For me, it seemed to be fans.'

TWICE I had a box fan get invaded by Mickey while the fan was running.  The first time, I saw it happen, so I removed the corpse posthaste...

The 2nd time, I didn't know about it (I was asleep) and so Mickey expired......then the smell began.

It took me quite a lot of looking before I noticed the ripe little bastard. 

That scrubdown wasn't fun.

[Andiron]

For me, it seemed to be fans.'

TWICE I had a box fan get invaded by Mickey while the fan was running. 


That scrubdown wasn't fun.

The rest was pretty awesome!  Never seen a mouse commit seppuku.

[just Warren]

Aquila primer only .22 LR.

[BlueStarLizzard]

I've had the best luck with glue traps and you can often get two with one pad, but get the rat sized pads, not the mouse sized ones. After two or three, they start using their fallen brethren as stepping stones.

The little plastic modernized version of the traditional mouse traps blow. Don't waste money. I only got them because they looked a little safer if I accidentally caught a dog or a cat.

Also, homemade trap, I've caught a lot of suckers at the farm by leaving some dog kibble in the bottom of a five gallon bucket. Downside is that you have to do the killing (or I guess you could return them to the wilds, but I just bop 'em and be done with it)

oh, and then there is always the old standby and get a cat.

[Hawkmoon]

Will the low expansion spray foam keep the mice out?

No, they'll eat it.

[zahc]

Another vote for either classic victor or glue.

[Ben]

I've had the best luck with glue traps and you can often get two with one pad, but get the rat sized pads, not the mouse sized ones.

Yes, definitely get the rat traps vs the smaller mouse ones.

[cordex]

No, they'll eat it.

We killed the ones using the hole first, then filled it. No others have used it since.

If you leave them alive (or trap them in the wall) you may have problems, however.

[roo_ster]

Steel wool plus foam works.

[Kingcreek]

Use the glue traps and scissors.
When you catch one you hold it upside down and snip off the mouse. The tiny mouse feet are no hindrance to catching more meese. A large glue tray will hold a lot of mouse feet.
I changed antifreeze in a tractor and left a 5 gal bucket of old antifreeze along the barn wall. I seem to catch a lot of mice in that also.

[never_retreat]

If you can find the cavity the has the mouse in it.
Pull off the base board.
Get a drill and hole saw out, small enough the be covered by the board when reinstalled.
Drill hole in wall. when you pull the bit out cover the hole with the shop vac hose.
Turn on the vac and wait for the kerplunk in the bucket.

[Fly320s]

If you can find the cavity the has the mouse in it.
Pull off the base board.
Get a drill and hole saw out, small enough the be covered by the board when reinstalled.
Drill hole in wall. when you pull the bit out cover the hole with the shop vac hose.
Turn on the vac and wait for the kerplunk in the bucket.

The mouse(s) are nesting in the blown-in insulation.