Winterizing with mice

I'm a hobby beekeeper, and mice are a problem for us there too. Fortunately, the bees can handle a smaller hole than can the mice, so a seasonal chore for beekeepers is to install an entrance reducer.

Doesn't seem to work for my house, built on a slab -- there seem to be any number of ways in for critters. Drives the cat nuts at times.
 
I'm a hobby beekeeper, and mice are a problem for us there too. Fortunately, the bees can handle a smaller hole than can the mice, so a seasonal chore for beekeepers is to install an entrance reducer.

Doesn't seem to work for my house, built on a slab -- there seem to be any number of ways in for critters. Drives the cat nuts at times.

You're a man with many talents Paul. Who would have thought...a beekeeper as well.
 
Not on the Rocket itself but years ago one Spring I started a bike and seeds and bits of paper/cloth began to blow out of the tailpipes. Bike wouldn't start and when I took it to the dealer, found they had climbed in and pi$$ed all over the carbs, etc. Bike was in the garage. Steel wool in the end of the pipes is a good idea. Have used several things to get rid of mice in the garage and have been essentially successful. Regarding the sticky pad type traps, they don't work at all when it gets really cold like in my garage during Maine winter...

My other vehicles aren't in the garage - too many toys in the over-sized 2 car garage. aAfter I didn't drive my Turbo-Saab for a month, it didn't start. Opened the hood and pulled off the air breather and found several pounds of acorns in there. Few years later the clutch began slipping on my low-mileage pickup. Turns out he little ba$tard$ built a nest with tiny acorns between the clutch and pressure plate. The nest was so dense, I just replaced the clutch/pressure plate assembly and sealed up the little access hole. A couple years later, same thing... Couple years after that, pickup wouldn't start and found out mice had chewed through the wiring harness. A few years later, they stripped off most of the insulation under the hood of my new FJ Cruiser and built a HUGE nest.

I know the simple solution would be to move but they really pi$$ed me off and I have been/continue to seek revenge... I have employed a multi-level strategy to kill them and hopefully make their lives as miserable as they made mine! I have Googled and tried many of the ideas I have seen, no matter however seemingly bizarre. I live out by myself so I use poison, traps, kitchen sink, etc. Outside cats aren't a viable option due to Maine winter since I don't have an outbuilding for them to keep from freezing. Friends have suggested that isn't a problem, just check Craigslist and get another cat. Although I am not a cat lover, even I am not that hard-hearted...

Bottom line : In this ongoing battle, I think I have been winning over the last few years...
 
I had a Supra TT that was parked out doors. Wires were chews through once, by something, not sure what. I spread moth balls all over the area where I parked and never had another issue.
 
My toys stay in a pole building that seals up pretty tight. So far (going on 17 years) no mice problems. One thing I do is never leave anything in there that smells like food. Not even a candy bar wrapper. We just got the wife a newer vehicle. Her Chrysler 300 sat outside for a week. I brought it in the pole barn yesterday to get it ready to sell. There was already a mouse nest under the engine shroud ! I'm hoping the little bastiges bailed out before I got it inside. I set some traps just in case.
 
I had a 4 1/2 lb miniature pinscher that was quite the hunter, she even caught sparrows out of the air, we had no mice while she was around. Chihuahua I have now is clueless.
 
Back
Top