So, you’ve got a little pest problem? A mouse scurried into your home, and you don't know how to get rid of it?
Time is of the essence when it comes to small rodents, because like all animals they breed. Even though a single mouse cannot breed by itself, if you have one it won't be long before more of them find their way into your house.
Unfortunately, to get rid of the mouse you'll have to declare war - or a state of emergency depending on how you decide to take care of the problem. For lack of a better phrase, you'll need to booby-trap your house with objects like mouse traps, peanut butter stations, or scariest of all, a cat.
We're here to help! Before you go buck wild, here are some useful tips on getting rid of those frightful creatures. Okay, maybe they're not exactly frightful, but they are definitely disgusting.
Captain Obvious Says, "Use a Mouse Trap!"
You had to know that I would include this tip on the list. Perhaps the most effective way to capture a mouse is by using a trap designed specifically for small rodents. The best type of trap to use is a rat glue trap, though some would call it inhumane. When you're trying real hard to get that rodent out of your house though, the last thing you'll be worried about is what PETA thinks of your methods.
You can always use the ol' peanut butter or cheese trick with a simple trap, but trust me when I say mice are a lot smarter than we give them credit for. You're more likely to find an empty trap sans food than you are a live (or dead) rodent. A rat glue trap on the other hand captures the rodent, and holds them indefinitely.
If You Don't Want a Real Pet, Fake It
Mice and rats are terrified of cats and snakes. Why? Well, because cats and snakes eat small rodents. If you're not into owning pets, don't fret. This method doesn't actually require that you run to a local pet store and buy loving (or constricting, as the case may be) animals for your residence.
You can actually just strategically place used kitty litter around your residence, or better yet some old dried up snake poo. I know, it sounds absolutely filthy, but hear me out. If the rodent smells the kitty litter or the snake poo, they will hightail it out of there because to them it's a sign that a predator is nearby.
You don't have to keep the litter or snake poo around for an extended period of time either, you can toss it as soon as the rodent has left the building. Of course, if you have small children you'll have to be careful where you place these resources. Furthermore, you should still focus on keeping the rest of your home clean as rodents love a dirty residence.
Seal Off the Mouse Holes
If you have a rodent problem, chances are pretty high that somewhere there's an entry point or two that allows them to move around freely. You may have to do some frantic searching, but when you find the mouse holes lodge a steel wool pad right in the way. Mice will be unable to pass through and they cannot chew through the material either.
Drown the Sucker
Okay, so I'll admit that tagline does sound pretty mean but oh well. It's not like you're inviting an old friend to dinner or something, you're trying to get rid of a rodent.
Take a large pail, like a bucket or trash bin and fill it a quarter of the way full of water. Tie an old can across the center of the bin using twine or fishing line, and place a smidgen of peanut butter on the outside of the can (preferably right in the center). Leave the setup overnight, and by the next morning you should have a drowned rodent in the bin.
The mouse will try to climb across the twine to the peanut butter, and when it stops the can will spin rapidly sending it plummeting to the water pool below. Make sure you take the label off the can though otherwise you might find a rodent hanging on for dear life in the morning.
