Mice!!!

[Hoji]

Help!
I am over run with mice!
I did a search through the site for mice and got back so many hits that the info is kinda hard to follow. If I may, I'd like to ask for a fresh thread to discuss mouse control.
I haven't posted for a long time, so you might not remember me. I have an indoor flight (6 ft long, 4 ft. deep, and about 4 ft high) with 13 finches (zebras and societies) and a smaller cage with 2 budgies. I have had my finches for 2 years. I live in Baltimore Maryland, which is in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.
There have been a few mice, off and on (a running issue here in the city) but my cat generally kept the population under control. I am Buddhist so simply killing mice is a real problem.
Something changed (I guess, I don't know what) and now the mice have gotten completely out of hand. I bought 2 little sonic repellers and they are definitely helping.

There is a hole in the corner near the floor under the flight (which was built on a long plastic table). I suppose they climb up the legs (metal) of the table. I bought some steel wool to plug the hole since I read somewhere that will keep them out. I haven't done that yet, hopefully tonight or tomorrow.

I wonder what others have done? What has been successful? What is a waste of time or money, etc?
How do you folks control mice in and around your indoor flights?
---Hoji

[angelicarboreals]

Hhhhmmmm, this is a toughie since you cannot kill them. They do make humane mouse traps that simply capture the mice and allow you to turn them loose later. Here is a version of one:

http://cdn-write.demandstudios.com/u...00/9/42809.jpg

Maybe you can find something similar to this at Lowes or Walmart??

I have heard of some people using peppermint oil on cottonballs as a deterrent but I have never done this myself, so I am not so sure how well it works. Of course, if you can plug all the holes (granted that your aviary is not wire, which would be impossible) then that would definitely keep them out, as well as getting rid of dropped food and bagged food that may be sitting on the floor that is possibly attracting them. You would have to sweep several times a day, but if there is nothing for the mice to eat they would probably stop visiting over time.

[mmr]

well I kill them with Decon, so I don't know what else to tell you

[tamaran2]

There is a product on the internet that we used. Do a search for bobcat/fox urine. It really works. We tried everything a few years back and nothing got rid of them for good. We live in the woods, so in the fall they would come in when it started to get cold. We put that inside for 4 days, which drove them outside, then around the outside of the house after that. Haven't seen one in 4 years. No killing, no trapping, no spraying (which could harm the birds), no poisons (which your other animals could get into). The stuff really works, and it doesn't smell to you or other animals.

[Abby]

We can't use baits or anything because of cats and dogs. Our younger cat does keep things relatively under control with the outside aviaries. Our nearly 15yo cat can't be bothered anymore unless it's right under his nose. The only mice that we get inside are the ones the younger cat brings in to play with and then lets go.

Many years ago we had a little Jack Russel terrier. One of the best mousers I knew. I guess short of getting a little terrier all you can do is keep on with what you're doing or try Tamaran's suggestion. A little cheaper then another pet.

With your cat catching the mice make sure you worm on a regular basis. The feral mice carry all sorts of parasites that your cat can then ingest.

[Ashling]

When we had a mouse problem, we used a lot of techniques. We used peppermint oil and I think white vinegar to ward them away from our food cupboard. It's not fun to find them in there eating your food and pooping around it! I'd also hear them scuttling around my room chewing things and nibbling any crumbs... and I would also hear them in my lorikeet's cage eating her food! When I found out that they were also in my cockatiel/ budgie cage I got nervous. I also discovered my one of my female domestic pet mice was pregnant. The wild mice were completely out of control. We used snap traps but never caught anything. I also went out and waited and caught them one by one in jars and boxes (not easy, but I liked this better as I could release them later). I also tried traps that trap them alive but these weren't successful. Back then I had two budgies, now I only have one. Guess why? My semi- hand reared yellow male became very sick and died the next day. By now, after my budgie's death I was pretty angry at these little cretins. Sorry to say the most effective technique was poison, but this was dangerous as I used to find my puppies with dead mice every now and then (luckily they never ate them, but this may be an issue with your cat). I hate mice now, plain and simple. They killed the only budgie I ever helped raise, the only one I had ever bred. I hope you get yours under control!

[omelettus]

i read an article on putting out some exlax
i cannot be sure that it was a humane solution but i seem to believe so
i will double check and post back
wishing i had the savvy to post a link

[odhinn]

We got a cat, a box of traps, and a jar of peanut butter.

We also had a few rat snakes that took up residence in the house we were renting at the time. Had a 5 footer in my toolbox. Scared the heck out of me when it brushed against my hand.

[GlendaNS]

Oh guys! I used to raise fox and let me tell you, the urine STINKS!!!! It smells like skunk!!! Don't pour that in your house!!!!

[tamaran2]

Originally Posted by GlendaNS

Oh guys! I used to raise fox and let me tell you, the urine STINKS!!!! It smells like skunk!!! Don't pour that in your house!!!!

LOL....its dried pellets. And it doesn't smell to us, only to rodents.