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Mice have returned, I need a handyman/expert gap-filler — Brooklynian

Mice have returned, I need a handyman/expert gap-filler

lnelson
lnelson
edited November -1 in Park Slope
OK, I killed 3 mice about a month ago, but dammit I saw another one this morning. I filled in gaps with steel wool and/or other materials as recommended by Tarzian hardware, but the damn little vermin found new gaps, apparently. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I am not a handyman and my best effort was a failure. Can anyone recommend someone to come over and fill in every last gap with whatever is the most appropriate material?

Also if anyone has a baby gate or dog x-pen or something they could lend so I can block my dog from getting into the kitchen and having his little nose caught in a trap baited with peanut butter, would be much obliged.

ARGH! ARGH ARGH ARGH

Comments

  • easilyfound
    easilyfound
    Seriouisly, get a cat. We used to have a mice problem, but not since my upstairs neighbor got a cat. He's a killing machine.

    But to answer your question, I'd bet that any exterminator/vermin business should be able to do what you want. Still, those buggers have a way of making new holes. Before the cat arrived, we had a company come and close up holes with steel wool. It worked for a while, but eventually, as I said, they found other ways to get in. I don't remember which company we used.
  • lnelson
    lnelson
    I can't get a cat, I'm allergic. I can't even borrow a cat, because having one in my apartment for more than a couple of minutes will cause asthma galore. And my upstairs neighbor's cat has apparently killed mice in her apt, but hasn't totally ended the problem. I'm on the 1st floor, stop I on mouse express. Waaaah!
  • toadette
    toadette
    Your dog might suffice. My JRT got one in two bites. Was actually pretty gruesome, but my vegetarian "save the animals!!!" self was proud of her. Almost makes up for her systematically de-baiting all the (non-snap) traps when I'm at work.

    Incidentally, apparently mice like grain-free dog food. Who knew?

    But yeah, I'm also looking for a recommendation in this area as I'm worried my patch jobs may not be permanent.
  • lnelson
    lnelson
    My dog may actually have formed an alliance with me mice. He certainly doesn't mind having them around.

    He'll probably befriend the stinkbugs when they come around too. None yet. (Yet.)
  • geralyn
    geralyn
    It's because you tried to feed your dog those icky treats. Payback is a bitch
  • lnelson
    lnelson
    that's it! nothing but charley bears until he's so hungry he stalks and kills a mouse! and no more nintendo! surely that will teach him a lesson.

    [for PETA members out there, i'm kidding. except about the nintendo. he plays too much of that garbage anyway.]
  • new2nyc
    new2nyc
    you said you tried the steel wool-i am wondering if you used enough. the more you stuff in the hole, the harder it is for them to get thru. also, if you can get moth balls into the holes with the steel wool that seems to work well.

    just as with roaches, mice dont prefer the smell of murphys oil on the hardwood. once we filled all the gaps in our place with the SW and use the murphys oil when we mop-the creepy crawly critters have reduced dramatically in number.

    good luck!
  • lnelson
    lnelson
    good to know about murphy's oil soap, though. i had no idea. any other helpful hints?

    i likely could have done a better job with the steel wool, but my super says that the landlord has a contractor for just this sort of thing, and i am about to get extremely demanding. the thing is that my apt was apparently gutted and redone about 2 tenants ago, but some of the new pieces don't exactly sit square with the old ones. various areas could seriously use caulking or filling-foam fillering. i filled in a huge gap behind my stove with that squirty foam filler that hardens, but my work was less than artistic and i nearly glued myself to other parts of myself in the process. i want to watch a pro do it and then if it comes up in the future, here or elsewhere, i'll have a clearer idea of what to do.

    in the mean time i caught the damn mouse last night. based on the evidence (i.e. quantity of droppings) i suspect he was a loner sent in to do recon. i can only hope his fellows take his failure to return as a bad sign and decide to seek shelter elsewhere.

    wow, if 8-year-old me read the above paragraph, she would cry....
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    foam filler hints:

    1. Buy a small can, use it all. If you buy a large can and don't use it all, it will expand in the tube, meaning you can't use the rest.

    2. Use the medium expanding stuff. Squirt a little, see how much it expands, and repeat.

    3. Do not touch it or get it on you while it is drying. It will be really difficult to get off. Once it is dry, cut it with a utility knife. Wear gloves. Do not itch your face while wearing gloves....

    4. Get use to some mice visits. ...this is brooklyn.
  • lnelson
    lnelson
    how does cutting it with a ulity knive work? i can't picture that....
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    it cuts. If you are being so messy that a clever is needed, use that.

    as you develop your foam expertise, you will only need a utility knife.

    You could also use DAP Alex or some other kind of painters caulk, but it isn't as much fun. And you'll need to borrow or buy a caulk gun (about $9).
  • apartment blues
    apartment blues
    For me, three things have worked.

    1. Use foam from a can (the kind that plumbers probably use) to fill up any holes. This will mean looking in every closet, every cabinet, every radiator and every corner of your apartment for any holes. Mice can crawl through holes that look smaller then their bodies.

    2. Keep all food securely sealed. Put cereal, chips, and all food in zip bags or containers that are tightly sealed. If you have pet food out like a bowl of cat or dog food, remove it and feed your pets at specific times.

    3. Take out your trash every day. If you do a lot of cooking, you may want to take the trash out right after cooking. Mice and bugs like to be around a food source. Take away the food source and you take away their reason for hanging out.
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