Mice

[casso]

I saw a mouse in the garage and we had signs of one in the kitchen. We put down humane traps and caught three which we drove a couple of miles away to release them. Now in a spare bedroom I found a a bit of the bedspread had been chewed and it was in a pile on the floor. I must have been a mouse so put down a trap but nothing was caught. I know mice chew up paper but didn't know they chewed material.

 

[RedHerring2]

Mice will chew just about anything, paper, clothes for nesting material. Insulation for nesting or just to make a way through. Wood for creating an opening. Paper or cloth bags in the cupboards to get at the food. Even the insulation off cables (gawd knows why) which can create electrical/ fire hazards.

I'd use a poison, they'll take this back to the nests and poison the rest of the little blighters in the nest.
Then I also use an electrical noise type of detererent. You can buy them off the internet. They simply plug into any socket.

Have a read of this for your entertainment/awareness:
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=281430

 

[casso]

I thought killing mice with poison where they nest would create smells as their bodies rot.

 

[RedHerring2]

I thought killing mice with poison where they nest would create smells as their bodies rot.

I've never noticed any smells, but it has been in a well ventilated area.
You might not notice anything if the nest is below floor and it's ventilated, etc.
It would also be linked to how many of the little blighters there are.
The greater risk, IMO, is the possibility of flies breeding and you might have to be very aware of that for a few weeks.
Stock up with a couple of cans of fly killer, and/or take precautions about preventing flies into the house.
Obviously a much lesser problem at this time of the year.

 

[mointainwalker]

Even the insulation off cables (gawd knows why)

RH

Rodents have teeth that never stop growing, so they need to chew resistant materials in order to wear down the teeth or they would no longer be able to eat.