Replies

1. 
   UniqueSheds | Jun 30, 2004 02:50am | #1

   Berc writes: 

   What, if any, methods can be used to best rid the building of its current occupants without causing them any unnecessary harm. If that is not possible how else can I capture a number of mice easily?

   I am a BIG fan of http://www.havahart.com/ traps.  One year, I caught over 100 mice.  The key is to take them AT LEAST 1 mile away or else they will hike it back to the same site.  Of course, access is the #1 thing.  How are they getting in...find that, block it, and you're on your way.

   How do I best reduce or eliminate the related odors? (products and or processes)  (or will the odor possibly fade over a period of time to the point that they will no longer be noticeable.)

   I have found over time the smell does decrease but I have also noticed it never really does completely disappear.  I'm not sure of any products available.

   Will my choice of insulation have any effect on the final results as far as the mouse related issued are concerned. I plan on using sprayed and blown in cellulose.

   The key is to prevent access to the wall cavity.  If they can get in, they will.

   Are there other problems or concerns that I have not addressed?

   I would be careful about breathing the stuff.  I think you can get pretty sick if you breath in too much of the stuff.

   -Mark

    

2. 
   WayneL5 | Jun 30, 2004 04:08am | #2

   You might want to hire an exterminator with the amount you have.  Some may have live traps.  They will know of the hazards, too.  A company like Service Master should have the chemicals to treat the smell.

1. 
   Piffin | Jun 30, 2004 04:35am | #4

   For something this extensive, hiring pros sounds wise to me.

   now somebody is goingt to come along and say, "Whaddya 'fraid of? A little drop of mouse poop won't hurtcha"

   Just tryin' to be practical. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   Piffin | Jun 30, 2004 04:32am | #3

   LOL !!!!!!!!!

   sorry, couldn't help myself.

   how 'bout locking a few cats in the building for a week or soo with water but no food?

   Ooops! I guess that won't help wioth the smell, will it?

   I worked on a place that had a few mouse nests two years ago, and I had to scrub down the smelly studs or plates that had the problem every morning for a couple months witha chlorine solution. Would have been cheaper to have replaced them, in retrospect, and more pleasant.

   You also need to be wearing a mask when working around the leavings. In some parts of the country the rodents carry a Hanta virus that is deadly to humans and can be contracted by aspiration. use a vac instead of a broom.

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   arrowpov | Jun 30, 2004 08:47pm | #7

   Be careful using a vacuum to remove droppings the filter may not be fine enough to trap all the particles. The harmful elements could become airborne.

4. 
   Drew | Jun 30, 2004 06:33am | #5

   Berc,

   I have a similar problem with my house.  A crawl space under the mudroom had insulation inundated with mice urine and feces.  In the spring and summer,  the smell got real bad inside.  I ended up pulling out all of the insulation and letting it dry out.  I also used a garden sprayer to apply some heavy duty odor control (can't think of the name...blue wrapper, lemon scent from Home Depot)  Between airing out and the spray, the smell has gone down by 95%.  Still there on muggy days, though.  Oh yeah, I also used spray foam to seal their entry through the gaps in the pipe holes. 

   Be careful of hantevirus if you live in the southwest quarter of the country.  Use a gucci respirator!

   GL, Drew

5. 
   DanH | Jun 30, 2004 06:10pm | #6

   Re insulation, mice seem to LOVE fiberglass. They probably like loose cellulose too, but would probably have trouble burrowing through dense packed stuff.

   When sealing holes, don't rely on spray foam. Use metal flashing anywhere they might try to gnaw their way through.

6. 
   Luka | Jun 30, 2004 11:21pm | #8

   "How do I best reduce or eliminate the related odors?"

   Put in several mouse sized showers. Make sure they have lots of soap. And little cans of deodorant.

   Mouse-size flush toilets.

   Don't let them eat any more cheese, fruits, or nuts.

   Who cares, wins.

1. 
   Sphere | Jul 01, 2004 02:16am | #9

   I'd go with a good conflagration 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

1. 
   Luka | Jul 01, 2004 02:31am | #10

   Conflagration ?

   What do they do in meeses conflagrations ?

   Do they chant, "hail minnie, mother of god" ?

   Do they have to do just so many "our cheese's" when they don't propagate enough ?

   How do they fit the pews and alter in the wall cavity ?

   Oh, waitaminnit. I thought you said congre....

   Nevermind.

   Who cares, wins.

1. 
   Sphere | Jul 01, 2004 03:08am | #11

   LMAO...

   Mouseus Infernious 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

2. 
   CapnMac | Jul 01, 2004 07:27pm | #12

   Do they chant, "hail minnie, mother of god" ?

   Wouldn't Minnie be "wife of" . . . ?

   Bad bad idea all around--this just popped into my head:

   Yea, though I scurry along the baseboard of death, I will fear no Cat . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

3. 
   chillywilly | Jul 01, 2004 10:31pm | #13

   Cheeses Christ...