Rodent proofing

Has anyone hired someone to rodent-proof their home? Recently saw a mouse, several years after we moved into to our house. I had an exterminator come in and they laid traps and sealed small holes. They wouldn’t seal up holes larger than 3″ which I plan to have my contractor seal up. However, I’m nervous as I have some vague ideas on how the mice are entering but could use an expert to see if there are any nests etc. We are still renovating downstairs and neighbor is also doing some work which could have spurred the sudden mouse activity. But since we’ve now caught a bunch of mice in 2 days I want keep an eye on the situation. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

hasibur.rahman07

in General Discussion 6 years and 8 months ago

7

Please log in, in order to post replies!

7 replies

Newest Oldest

hasibur.rahman07 | 6 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4937 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4930 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193777"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur.rahman07"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bsaw5CO31JqBHatsqn.rMKRsczt9tJ."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur-rahman07"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "hasibur.rahman07@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:29"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "hasibur rahman hasibur rahman"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193777)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thank you! I used a green exterminator so no chemicals. We just sealed up all the holes we could find and stuffed roxul into a couple that were left but now reading that roxul is not vermin proof. Probably will buy steel wool tomorrow and stuff that in.

RobertGMarvin

in General Discussion 6 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#4937 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5117 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "779"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(40) "64df18426207ddf12f1789eba7eabd04a9c3f615"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:03:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Bob Marvin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(779)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Ugh; you have my sympathy vard01. You might want to see if they’re even more allergic to the stuff exterminators use.

hasibur.rahman07 | 6 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4910 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4907 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193777"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur.rahman07"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bsaw5CO31JqBHatsqn.rMKRsczt9tJ."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur-rahman07"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "hasibur.rahman07@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:29"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "hasibur rahman hasibur rahman"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193777)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

A cat is undoubtedly the best solution. I’m not allergic. However, my husband, my dad, father in law and all my husband’s brothers are allergic to various plants and animals.

RobertGMarvin

in General Discussion 6 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "2"
object(WP_User)#4910 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(3) "779"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "RobertGMarvin"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(40) "64df18426207ddf12f1789eba7eabd04a9c3f615"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 18:03:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Bob Marvin"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(779)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(0) {
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you’re not allergic or allourophobic a cat is quite effective at rodent control.. I’m sure there are many unsealed openings in out 1899 house, but we only see mice when we’re between cats and even the presence of a tiny kitten is enough to drive them away

hasibur.rahman07 | 6 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4912 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5115 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193777"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur.rahman07"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bsaw5CO31JqBHatsqn.rMKRsczt9tJ."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur-rahman07"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "hasibur.rahman07@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:29"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "hasibur rahman hasibur rahman"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193777)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Forgot to ask…do bait pouches make them die in the wall?

hasibur.rahman07 | 6 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5114 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4930 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "193777"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur.rahman07"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bsaw5CO31JqBHatsqn.rMKRsczt9tJ."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(16) "hasibur-rahman07"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(26) "hasibur.rahman07@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:54:29"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(29) "hasibur rahman hasibur rahman"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(193777)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Hi Esciv, thank you for the thoughtful response. Everything you’re saying makes sense. I wasn’t sure if I should wait or needed to do any preventative measures now. We are sealing up the holes in the rental kitchens upstairs and hopefully the holes inside the enclosure for the HVAC units. Pipes inside were left exposed and pretty inaccessible; the HVAC is now enclosed on three sides . I am keeping a close eye on the renovations downstairs to ensure things are sealed up before the kitchens and bathrooms are installed. When upstairs was being completed, I wasn’t living here and may have missed things. I also didn’t know better and assumed the contractors would seal things properly. I have traps laid out and caught 9 mice in the kitchen and hvac over two days. Pretty disgusting. Kitchen is sealed now so we’ll have to see what tomorrow brings – as the hvac sealing may not be done today.

kevrob | 6 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5115 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4910 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "191903"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "kevrob"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BZ8EufCpWGVUVZ08/keQNKfoKQqPmH1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "kevrob"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "kevrob1984203@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-02-22 17:18:41"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(61) "Your first name Your last name Your first name Your last name"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(191903)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(3) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

There are plenty of exterminators who’d be glad to charge you for this, but in my experience, until the reno is complete, it’s likely to continue. Dealing with a similar situation, after 2 pros in a year, in the end I did it myself. Sealing allthe holes is key, but before you do, buy a bucket of bait pouches and dump them in the walls. If you think you know where they’re coming in, buy a bunch of cardboard glue traps and make them a big fat welcome mat. Check every night and every morning. An exterminator has 100 buildings, you have 1. Your advantage is that if you pay attention you can figure out the patterns, problems, and potential solutions way better than an exterminator. I followed around the last one I hired for 3 months before he said “You’re watching me so you can fire me, right?” And I said “Yep” then he said “Well, I might as well show you what I’d do if this was my building, then.” And I gave him a big fat tip, cancelled my contract and haven’t seen a mouse in two years.