Help! There's a moose loose aboot this hoose!

[Seahorse]

I moved house recently and quite soon noticed some mouse activity in the living room. At that point, I was prepared to block up all apparant entrance holes and hope for the best. So far that seems to have worked. However! Yesterday I spotted one in the kitchen I'm all for peaceful coexistence with nature... except when it's vermin in potential contact with my kids food!!!

I've yet again gone round all potential entrance/exit spaces but I'd like to be sure! I know there are lethal traps, or poison but has anyone had success with so-called 'humane' traps? And if so, what kind? I don't mind taking 'Jerry' (and family?) on a long distance holiday, once caught.

[BrideXIII]

i have used the humane ones, they work quite well, cant remember what kind though, had a sort of door they go through but cant get back out.

[Comfreyfan]

The ones we used in the office recently were like little boxes, mouse went in to get at the peanut butter (apparently they can't resist it) end of box shuts behind them and they're ready for a car journey to somewhere much more suitable, where you open the end of the box and they run away!! We did catch plenty of mice!

[sewer rat]

Harrod Horticultural and Ascott Smallholding Supplies both sell humane traps - take a look at their websites.
Just don't be tempted to buy one of those sonic deterrents that you plug into a mains socket - total waste of time - but would the OH listen ?

[vicky]

We use humane traps and they work great (- but you must remember to check them regularly or they're not so humane...). You need to release the mice at least 1/2 mile from your house, the mother-in-laws house is always a safe bet...

[rustylady]

Just don't be tempted to buy one of those sonic deterrents that you plug into a mains socket - total waste of time

Oh shame, I was going to suggest them, or buy a cat!!

[tootles]

Humane traps won't work.
A wild house mouse can have 140 young per year, if half of those are then female each having 140 young each year (140 x 7)- you see the problem!!!!

[Seahorse]

tootles, I was really hoping not to hear that!

Surely the humane ones are worth a try though? At least to find out if I've successfully blocked up the holes?! I'm looking at your suggestions Rat, thanks.

I'm seriously thinking about a cat. Of course not just as a mouse catcher but as a family pet. I've always been a 'cat person' but for various reasons, not been owned by one in recent years. Lots of other considerations there though. Plus of course, some cats aren't natural mousers anyway!!!

Although thanks to Vicky I'm now thinking it might be quite entertaining to provide my (ex!)MIL with a suprise gift or several

[Two_Sheds]

My sister dropped a typewriter on her mouse ...

[Flummery]

We use a humane trap - it's a home made version of the Longworth Trap used by Mammal Society recorders (our Big Lad was a licensed mammal recorder at one point). It's a length of square section downpipe with various bits of mesh and wire. Also known as a Trip Trap because the mouse trips a wire that shuts the trap after it.

We had one in the under the stairs cupboard a few years back. We caught and evicted him behind the woods over the road. Incidentally - he didn't have the wife and family there - lone ranger he was!

Last weekend we smelt another in there (they are very whiffy - he's been known as Mr Stinky all week!) He had chewed through the boarding we'd put in place after the past one. He managed to evade the trap all week so hoping he'd gone, we boarded it up again. Friday night we found he had got into the bottom drawer in the kitchen! They can get into there because there's a hole for the electric plug for the automatic lighter for the gas cooker. Trap re-set in the drawer and we had him this morning. Peanuts and raisins did the trick.

I'd give it a go with a live trap first. This is our third mouse since we came here 9 years ago - not surprising - we back onto a paddock with stables. Each has been a loner. Good luck!

[Hilary B]

Sonic deterrents are not QUITE useless, but pretty close. Some of them also work on a magnetic thingy via the wiring. Not much use at moving them out, but does discourage eating of wires (which can be a serious problem, especially if you live in a thatched house....).
I've always relied on keeping food in mouse-proof containers as first line of defence, but nothing is totally reliable. The best way of getting rid of a whole family of mice is if you can make a trap that is effectively a cage with a 'one way' door, so that more can go in, but the original one can't get out. Make sure the first capture isn't going to starve or get unduly thirsty while waiting for his pals...
Remember that relocating them may not actually be particularly kind. Will they have to compete with the 'residents' in the new area, or is it just a place unsuitable for mice? Will they get caught by cats while trying to find their way 'home'? It really isn't as simple as letting them go somewhere new.....

[jacob marley]

Apparently it is illegal to catch a wild animal and release it live be it mouse rat squrrel or pigeon they have to be dispatched to the happy hunting ground according to the pest control people that come on our local radio so be carefull about telling what you do jacob marley

[vicky]

Oh no! I have got out my (humane) trap today as our Loft Mice have started tap dancing on the ceiling at midnight again... It's baited with a dodgy (slightly burnt) batch of fudge I made a while ago, so they will be having a sugar rush whizzing round the trap!
Seahorse, I have an EX mother in law too - feel a bit sorry for the mice tho!

[Hilary B]

Apparently it is illegal to catch a wild animal and release it live be it mouse rat squrrel or pigeon they have to be dispatched to the happy hunting ground according to the pest control people that come on our local radio so be carefull about telling what you do jacob marley

The ones which are legally defined as 'vermin' certainly, meaning all those listed above, (unless you happen to find a red squirrel) plus most members of the crow tribe. Rooks, carrion crows and magpies are (I think) all on the list. Not sure what else. If what you chanced to catch was not technically 'vermin' and you released it immediately in the same place, I don't think the same applies. Some creature (notably birds of prey) once captured for any length of time (eg to recover from injury) you may need a permit to release.