Need to wage war on mice / rats

[Bentrim]

I have controlled rats by feeding them corn meal laced with plaster of paris. They go in their holes the plaster hardens they die.

 

[plowhog]

A couple of cats can fix your problem.

We used to have a barn cat but a coyote got it.

 

[jaxs]

If a person injoy's them as pets ferrets can be trained to hunt. They are actually natural born and highly effecient hunters so the trait only need's to be fostered. The little buggers can really stink when excited but the musk glands are commonly removed. They are very prolific so it's wise to have only one sex unless you want a bunch in a hurry. They are playful so haveing 2 or more keep's them happy plus holding one or more in a cage incourage's their mates to return from being set free to roam and hunt.

 

[Forky]

For those that use the plank and pail method. Simply use winter blend windshield washer fluid in the Winter to keep from freezing....works like a charm. I've caught as many as 7 in one night during the cold months here.

 

[cwjones]

https://youtube.com/c/ShawnWoodsprimitive-archer

 

[arpt209]

I'm familiar with, and often use typical household mouse traps in my enclosed garages (Victor brand.)

But I need to do some hard core serious mouse reduction. In about a month, I'll be storing a motorhome in my barn. I don't want it to be quickly destroyed by mice. I've never done any mouse reduction in the barn.

It's about 50x90, with lots of openings to nearby adjacent pastures and fields. There are mice in it now, of course. I want to knock the population back before the motor home shows up.

Various critters also wander in from time to time. I have a skunk in the barn at night usually about half the time, but I've never seen it there during the day. So I don't want a mouse trap snapped onto a skunk's paw.

Do the "walk the plank" traps work well? I've heard of them but never used one? And when the motorhome arrives, is there anything that can go around the tires to dissuade mice from invading?

The one I use is a five gallon bucket with a hand full of cracked corn in the bottom of it. I set the bucket where the mice are prevalent and prop a 1" X 2" board, about 30" long from the ground to the top rim of the bucket. Mouse climbs the board, sees the corn, hops in to receive his welfare check, can't climb back out. Next day I check the bucket & send all occupants to mousey heaven. I had 18 participants in one night. I keep a bucket set up at all times. Mice get real thick around the buildings here in the Fall of the year. Little Rascals are looking for free lodging through the winter. I do what I can to relieve their anxiety.

 

[tet68]

A few years back I had mice chew the wires of my pickup truck. Took it to the dealer and it ended up costing $1200. The dealer told me that now the casing over the wire is made from soy and the mice, chipmunks ,etc. love them. Since then I have put mothballs around where the pets and children can't get to, on the perimeter. I found a mothball spray and decided to spray the engine compartment. Also, had problems with chipmunks making nests and chewing wires on the outside AC unit. The repairman told me not to cover the unit in the winter because you are making it nice and dry for them. Now, I don't cover and I crush a couple o mothballs and let them stink up the unit. Haven't had a problem since. Hope this helps.

 

[jtuck5187]

FWIW: Last year I cleaned 45 mice and 47 gophers out of my rural Michigan property with a very simple bucket method. 5 gallon bucket with 3 gallons of water. Pour black oil sunflower seeds on water surface until covered. 3" x 4' wooden ramp (pine, osb, whatever) with two screws through one end to hook over edge of bucket for holding ramp in place. Mice or gophers smell sunflower seed, climb up ramp, see seed heaven inside bucket, jump in and swim ... for a little while.

The nice thing about this method is you can catch several mice or gophers in one setting and you don't have to handle the critters. Just remove the bucket and dump it away from where you are catching and predators / birds will make short work of the rodents.

I have tried many other methods. I have a bucket with a paint roller mounted inside and ramps that go up to the roller. Peanut butter on the roller around the center and mice climb up and their own weight spins them off. I still catch more with the simple seed bucket.

This picture is from one evening, helping a neighbor out. Like I said, 47 gophers last year on my property and I've had only one this year and got him within an hour of seeing him on the lawn.

 

[tet68]

jtuck5187 so how do you keep the seeds from getting water logged and sinking ?​

 

[BruceLem]

I've used a rat bait called "Just One Bite" and I recommend it highly.

It comes in a powder or bar form and you can get it at grain and feed stores and online.

It's very effective on rats and mice and it seems to be 100% safe for our barn cats.