Indoor Pest Control - Mice under the floorboards
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Mice under the floorboards
MicroSerf
09-03-08, 09:56 AM
When I moved into my current place I soon noticed that one corner of my room smelt a bit funny. It seemed to come and go and I wasn't really sure what it was.
I have old wooden floorboards in my room and one morning after hearing a lot of scratching I looked down to see a small furry face staring back at me through the crack. I called the pest people and they put some pellets down in the kitchen and shortly after that I found a near to death mouse beside a pipe. I know in my lounge there's a floorboard that lifts up and there are pellets there too so obviously this has been a problem before.
I thought that was that but since then there have been a couple of occasions when I think I've seen something scurrying along the floor. I've never caught a good glimpse of this and I'm not sure if this is just me being paranoid or not.
Recently I've noticed the smell again although this time it's not in the corner but roughly in the area where I first saw the mouse.
It smells a bit musty - I'm not sure if this is a common toilet area for the mice or if there's perhaps a rotting carcass there. I've taken a few of the pellets and dropped them down the crack in case there are some active mice there, but what I really want to know is how many mice are there likely to be and what's the best way to stop encouraging them to come back? Because they seem to spend most of their time beneath the floorboards there's no real chance to put traps or anything out.
I have old wooden floorboards in my room and one morning after hearing a lot of scratching I looked down to see a small furry face staring back at me through the crack. I called the pest people and they put some pellets down in the kitchen and shortly after that I found a near to death mouse beside a pipe. I know in my lounge there's a floorboard that lifts up and there are pellets there too so obviously this has been a problem before.
I thought that was that but since then there have been a couple of occasions when I think I've seen something scurrying along the floor. I've never caught a good glimpse of this and I'm not sure if this is just me being paranoid or not.
Recently I've noticed the smell again although this time it's not in the corner but roughly in the area where I first saw the mouse.
It smells a bit musty - I'm not sure if this is a common toilet area for the mice or if there's perhaps a rotting carcass there. I've taken a few of the pellets and dropped them down the crack in case there are some active mice there, but what I really want to know is how many mice are there likely to be and what's the best way to stop encouraging them to come back? Because they seem to spend most of their time beneath the floorboards there's no real chance to put traps or anything out.
Speedwrench
09-03-08, 09:11 PM
mice will come in any place where there is cover and food for them, you would need to keep poison in the space to keep them out. It would help if you could find out the most likely place where they are coming in, keep in mind that a mouse can enter through a hole as small as a dime in diameter.
if we're not supposed to eat animals why are they made out of meat?
if we're not supposed to eat animals why are they made out of meat?
twelvepole
09-03-08, 09:55 PM
Poison baits are not recommended as an interior control. Rodents can die in wall voids and other conspicuous places and residents have to live with odor until decomposition is complete.
Depending upon size of animal pest, this can take weeks or months. Trapping is recommended. The best method of control is exclusion. Seal all gaps and potential entries where pests can enter structure.
Seal all gaps in foundation. Mice can enter a gap the thickness of a dime. Seal all gaps where wires and pipes enter structure. Cut back overhanging tree limbs to 10-15' of structure. Eliminate all food sources and debris in landscape. Do not leave out pet food dishes. If feeding birds, move feeders to the far perimeter of landscape.
" what I really want to know is how many mice are there likely to be and what's the best way to stop encouraging them to come back? Because they seem to spend most of their time beneath the floorboards there's no real chance to put traps or anything out." No one knows how many mice there are likely to be. To stop the encouragement for their entry is to seal the entries. If you mice are in crawl space, then you may have infestation of insulation and possibly duct work.
You may want to call an exterminating professional for an inspection. They can provide you with a report on termite and other wood boring insects, moisture issures, rodent infestation, and control measures. If you own your home, it will be an investment worthwhile to protect your investment.
Depending upon size of animal pest, this can take weeks or months. Trapping is recommended. The best method of control is exclusion. Seal all gaps and potential entries where pests can enter structure.
Seal all gaps in foundation. Mice can enter a gap the thickness of a dime. Seal all gaps where wires and pipes enter structure. Cut back overhanging tree limbs to 10-15' of structure. Eliminate all food sources and debris in landscape. Do not leave out pet food dishes. If feeding birds, move feeders to the far perimeter of landscape.
" what I really want to know is how many mice are there likely to be and what's the best way to stop encouraging them to come back? Because they seem to spend most of their time beneath the floorboards there's no real chance to put traps or anything out." No one knows how many mice there are likely to be. To stop the encouragement for their entry is to seal the entries. If you mice are in crawl space, then you may have infestation of insulation and possibly duct work.
You may want to call an exterminating professional for an inspection. They can provide you with a report on termite and other wood boring insects, moisture issures, rodent infestation, and control measures. If you own your home, it will be an investment worthwhile to protect your investment.