We might have mice--how to handle

[Anonymous]

We live in a SFH in the suburbs. For the past 2 weeks we have heard some scratching noises in the ceiling in our finished basement. It could be mice, it's a common issue in this neighborhood. Anyhow, we have 2 indoor cats but they don't seem to be interested in the sounds or even really perk up their ears when we hear the noises, which is puzzling to me. I'm not sure where the mice could be getting in. We haven't seen any, just heard the noises.

If we call a pest company, how would they even be able to figure out if we have mice?

[Anonymous]

They'd probably look inside your ceiling and see if there's any droppings, nests, or evidence of chewing.

[Anonymous]

Call Capitol Pest. They're awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They'd probably look inside your ceiling and see if there's any droppings, nests, or evidence of chewing.

But our basement is huge--would they cut out some drywall to look? I don't want to have to do drywall repair. Our whole basement is finished. That's why I'm wondering how effective it would be to even call out a pest company.

[Anonymous]

Get a cat.

[Anonymous]

Mice usually leave dropping around the periphery of rooms and counters. Near the walls. This could be rats, or squirrels.

Rat Zapper. Cheaper than pest company. Very effective and clean. Slightly expensive.

[Anonymous]

Would mice even be interested in taking up residence in a house with 2 cats? The cats like to hang out in the basement because that's where we watch TV (basement family room). I would think just the smell/sounds of two felines would scare away the mice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a cat.

We have 2 cats. The cats don't seem to hear the scratching, even when they are in the same room as us when we hear it, which is puzzling to me.

[Anonymous]

Rats are also common. An exterminator would probably want to look around your hot water heater and/or other pipes at the basement level for sewer rat droppings. They may want to check out any attic or high crawl spaces for roof rat droppings/nesting/damage. They can tell the two types of rats apart by their droppings (gross, I know). They may want to look in your kitchen under your sink and stove (at least) for mouse droppings. Next steps might be outdoor traps (so that they being killed outside rather than inside your house), and sealing up any potential entry points. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Mice will find a way into the house when it's this bitter cold. They will have to come out of the ceiling for food and water. Meow-meows will deal with them at that time.

[Anonymous]

My experience with exterminators is that they will walk around your home, looking for any cracks/holes that mice can use to enter your home. For example, they found a small hole (about the size of a quarter) in my wall that was drilled slightly too large when running a pipe to my AC condenser and a crack under my front steps. The exterminators will seal all but one of the holes by stuffing stainless steel wool into the holes. At the single remaining hole, they will place old fashion snap traps and monitor the hole for about a week, and then fill up that hole as well at the end of the week. Evidently, mice do not make holes by chewing (rats do), sealing is effective to keep them out.

No poison was used because you don't want dead mice rotting in your walls/ceiling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a cat.

Maybe you should read the original post before you respond?

[Anonymous]

Where are you located OP? Some older, close in neighborhoods are known for vermin. If one neighbor has them, you would be wise to bet that it is most houses. If someone has stuff stacked against their house, fence or carport, this is a very successful draw for mice, unfortunately. If you are close to a park, stream, etc., that would be a successful draw for mice also. Tall grass is a draw, too.

Try the old fashioned wooden traps. Remove all cat food/dog food or anything that might attract them. Look for entry spots in garage/basement and use steel wool to stop the spots up. Look for "evidence" and put traps there (peanut butter usually works).

If you have a cat or a dog, usually it is enough to deter the mice, not always - but usually. We have a dog that caught mice in the yard as the mice ran from the neighbors house. Yuck.

Honestly, I don't think most companies are much better than your own intervention, unless you receive a stellar review (I am unfamiliar with the one PP mentioned).

Also, bird feeders attract vermin, too. GL.

[Anonymous]

At this stage, I am gonna just throw this out there: buy some of those basic mouse traps. If you hear scratching, you have something. Spend like $4 first, then go to a pest guy if needed.

[Anonymous]

Get a snake