Note from Tenant’s father –“In the meantime, she says the traps have not remedied the mice issue, so maybe some professional extermination would be appropriate. Mike”
My Response — As to the mouse problem, since I set and delivered the traps (12 of the spring, 8 of the sticky traps, and the electronic trap that handles 50 mice on 2 batteries) months and months ago and the peanut butter to bait, I have not heard that it is still a problem. Due to liability reasons, I am reluctant to use professionals because their products and preparations are very powerful and should only be used in areas that children, pets and wildlife cannot reach – there are young children next door and neighborhood pets, etc. I have personally managed this house since 1983 and have over 40 years of hands-on real estate management experience; if I had known of the continuing problems, I would have reacted. Never have we had the problems that you describe – something must have changed in the neighborhood that I am not aware of. <!—-><!—-> <!—->
Anyway, how about if I go down every night for a week and bait, set, and clear traps in an attempt to see what else might be necessary? I can start going this Sunday night!
Daughter’s Response — Originally the mouse seemed to go away, and we collected up all the traps as the peanut butter was getting dusty and the sticky traps had dead bugs in them. Then, the trash can started to get tipped over and bags ripped apart. We began to tape it shut at night and the problem seemed to dissipate. What we had sadly realized is the mice has turned to the dry food storage in the back room. They/it ate through pasta boxes, into oatmeal boxes and the individual packages, through the plastic bags into microwavable popcorn, and really ruined all the dry goods. After cleaning up all that mess, the mice turned to cereal boxes, where they eat into the cardboard and through the plastic lining.
Replies
The shelters here are full of cats. It's a sad situation. Perhaps one could be useful as a pet and mouser.
Beware, many cats are uninterested in mice.
The renter might put the cat back in the box when it gets dusty and bugs start crawling on it.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Darn tenants, never thought of that.
I thought of the cat approach -- it is a good one - not sure the tenant could manage a cat - full-time grad student. In the deep of my heart, I think it is a house keeping issue and attention to the details to keep these critters away. Firmly belive they will move elsewhere if nothing is left to eat.
The reason why I believe it is a house keeping issue and general understanding on how to keep a home running is due to the fact that I was called because of a clogged kitchen sink. Usually warm water and the garbage disposal running takes care of most if not all clogs --------------- However, when I arrived the garbage disposal was tripped, reset and it tripped again - got the flashlight out and what do I find: popsicle stick, tea bags, and some lose change. No wonder we have the problems and renters sometimes get a bad name.
Still looking for a reasonable solution to Mouse Problem - What would you do? I know this is not a varmint ridding site but it is a site of the ingenious -- Dudley
I think you may have to hire an exterminator. It sounds like there may be a colony of mice to me. Also, the trash can cannot be knocked over by mice, that sounds as if it may be rats. Rats are not as easy to trap, and require rat traps.
Seems to me that you have already gone the second mile in providing the traps, but the tenent is too lazy to tend them and wants you to come over and see to her every need.
Is she cute enough to warrant spending all that time over there?
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
"Then, the trash can started to get tipped over and bags ripped apart."
A mouse tipping over a trash can? I don't think so! At least no kind of mouse I've ever seen.
And this is not one "mouse", it's multiples of whatever critter it is.
FWIW, traps should be checked and freshly baited every day if you want any chance that they'll work, but I'd say time to call in the pros. They have ways of securing the bait so it's safe for pets and kids. Also, IME, after getting into modern baits, the mice tend to head out in search of water instead of back to the nest, so they tend to die in exposed areas instead of behind the wall.
If you don't want to go the pro route, the most effective method I've found is to secure accessible foodstuffs in metal or glass containers and put out the type of bait that comes in small bags. Spread 'em around along the walls, under cabinets, etc. -- wherever mice like to go. Make sure no pets can get to them -- depending on the circumstances that may mean inside the house only. Keep carefull track of where you put 'em. Check on them every days or two and replace any that are empty. After there is no more evidence that they are being eaten, collect every one. You may need to repeat the process once or twice a year if they come back.
Note that many of these baits are not "poison", per se, but generally a type of blood thinning drug -- some of which use the same drug heart patients take to reduce clots. The mouse, being so small, just ODs on it. Thus, even if a pet does ingest a small amout (like one bag), it's no big deal. (DAMHIKT. Doh!) I use the D-Con bait bags. Other types of bait permanently damage the liver and treatment is tougher, if not impossible. But a good pro will be able to assess what types of bait to use, where to place them, and what steps to take to be safe. For example, where pets or kids can get to it, they often place the bait in locked metal boxes that a mouse can enter, but a kid or pet cannot. So, again, if you're not comfortable, get a pro.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Everything fits, until you put glue on it.
Mike - tks for the insight -- I'll go your rout -- it just bugs me that it should be common sense - keep the food away and they will leave. I like the blood thinner approach. -- D
Then, the trash can started to get tipped over and bags ripped apart.
you need to set up a safari....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Maybe it's just me but I would never have such an extensive written / email correspondence with a tenant. I learned a long time ago that they get 'internet courage' and are more demanding in writing. If I receive an email, I call them to discuss it - I don't reply in writing.
Re the mice - I put poison in concealed places (sealed attics, for example). The mice (and red squirrels) take the bait and go outside to die as previously mentioned. It has been effective for me.
Also as previously mentioned, something much larger is tipping over the trash cans.
Don't know if you mentioned earlier, how far away is the rental?I agree that it sounds like a cleanliness issue, but there can still be a mouse problem in a clean house.We had an issue for a while, mainly because my cherubs couldn't seem to remember to close the garage door after taking bikes and whatnot out. Probly wouldn't be a problem if it weren't for the big bags of sunflower birdseed DW stores in there. They then decided that it was a pretty cool place to hang out.Traps w/ peanut butter, reset every few days, was the solution in our case. Caught a half dozen, tapered off, eventually a week or two went by....no mo mice.Agree tho, open food, etc. is like ringing the dinner bellAnd.......trash cans knocked over? Please. Racoon, skunk, cat, dog...whatever. Now if it's their inside trash cans.....I'd be curious as heck to see that mouse.I hate meeses to pieces.Good luck.Bing
One word: MOVE. At least temporarily, and into your next available rental.
Before the move, have a pro bait the new place. After the move, let the pro do his thing in the old place ... including opening walls, etc., as he requests. If the problem is nearly as bad as you describe, it will take a concerted effort, over time, to deal with it.
Now, should the tenant be unwilling to cooperate, then it's time for eviction. I say this for a few reasons.
First, it's only a matter of time before they call the health department.
Second, a situation doesn't get that bad without a lot of help from the tenant. Sure, mice have entered my homes a few times - where they had a rather short life expectency. With one exception ...
Which is the third item. An insulated storage unit of mine had a mouse issue, simply because they found the insulation to be the best housing in town. When I stripped out the insulation, I found a nest in literally every half-batt. No wonder cats were often laying outside my door! The food source, in that case, was a nearby locker that was used by a produce distributor (Duh!)
Fourth, simply by hiring a pro you are demonstrating a serious intent to solve the problem. Don't worry about danger, liability, etc. ... that's why the guy is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Finally, I suspect the tenant is a large part of the problem. Uncovered or inadequately stored food, etc. When they move, they will almost certainly take a few of the mice with them.
As a preventive move .... after the pro has done his thing, and the poison traps are history, you might consider offering a discount to cat-owners and ferret owners. Cats can be made ill if they eat a mouse who has been poisoned, so I would not take both approaches at the same time. Yet, over time, there is nothing more effective than cats and ferrets in controlling mice.
For the trash ... if it gets tipped again, get one of those motion-sensing cameras hunters use. You need to see just what is causing the problem; it may just be a can scavenger.
Have you made any effort to try and figure out how they are getting inside the house?
get rid of the tenant. rats mice are the renter problem not the owner. The house was rented without food, without food no mice.
Mice are very smart animals. Cats really have to be careful while hunting them. I was watching a television program the other day where this cat was chasing a mouse. The mouse ran into a hole in the wall and when the cat reached in to grab the mouse, the mouse gave the cat a stick of dynamite and blew the cat up.The cat survived but was all burned up looking.So be careful with our cats.
they hand the cats bare electrical wires too...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
plus the mouse can play a guitar
I saw one that could fly wearing a cape with a M on it...scarey
and has his own gaurd dog...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
I saw a rat that could cook Ratatouille.
and one that has his own side kick...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
We don't let our mice have dynamite.
yeh...
but the got firearms, clubs and huge mallets...
not to mention all the tacks they leave laying around....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
And spurs, brandin irons and cactusses!http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3372610739323185039
I second the notion that it's more than mice - frankly, from the description, I'd suspect rats - and they are tough -
time for an on site inspection, check the scat to get an ID, figure out where the animals are coming and going, where they are getting water (refidge condensate pan?) -
then secure the food, seal up any holes/runs, and set the traps appropriate for the animals to be dealt with -
good luck -
I once heard form a reliable source that the first rule to rid of any animal problem is to remove the food source.
The second is to not let them use your home as theirs.
I don't care if she is a grad student. She obviously doesn't understand the BASICS of life.
You have to be smarter than the mice get rid of them.
I once tried to help a woman with her cockroach problem. I couldn't help her.
She had to stop feeding them. They had taken over her house.
I would hire the exterminator and distance yourself from her a bit.
Is there any way to have her pay for the exterminator? Up the rent?
Will Rogers
that why I build a cmu house, no rats, mice or bugs
Edited 7/3/2009 4:40 pm by brownbagg
A cmu house is great but when it comes to people not doing the right thing they would figure out a way to screw it up.
A lot of tenants consciously or un-consciously think the landlords are their parents.
So if the tenant had a parent that enabled them, then will expect the landlord to fill that role.
I figure the best approach is to be up front when they are signing the lease.
Tough love baby! It sounds like this girl/woman hasn't figured that out yet.
I just got my shipment of steel ups. One item was 102" long and ups won't take anything over 8'.
So, in the instructions I tell them to cut them down to 8' so they can ship them ups.
I just got a bunch of 4 footers. Cut them right in half. MORONS!!!!! I call them and of coarse they are closed for the weekend.
"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers
Go buy a small boa constricter. insert in house, mice gone, tenet moves out.
Find snake take back to the pet store, ask for a refund.
Tks - taking all of this advice to heart - calling a professional on Monday -- they can deal with mice - and they can give the lecture on take away the food and the mice will leave - this advice has not worked so far - thanks for the encouragement -- Dudley
throw some ceral under the counter and when the mice multiply and the tenatnt leave then kill the mice and rent to somebody else
I had a house with a mouse problem. I went over looking for obvious entry points.
I got Lucky, when we reno'd the house we missed a window in the crawlspace. On top of the window there was a board missing which left a fist sized opening.
Patched it up and all has been good since.
Maybe you'll be as lucky.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I'm disappointed - I saw the title of this thread, and clicked on it to see what the mice said they would do.
Give the tennants their deposit and 30 days notice. then rid the house of the mice, rats, etc. Get new tennants.