Best method to control mice?

BIGCOOPS · **Joined:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:10 pm **Posts:** 3

Whats the best method to control mice?

Bait
or
Traps

I want to use baits but I have seen the chooks eat the dieing mice so concerned they can get poisoned as well but not happened so far

or is there another option?

[smilie=thanks.gif]

in advance for all your ideas

Fleur · **Joined:** Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:52 pm **Posts:** 24

This winter has been awful for mice and rats, I am continually mass culling.

I tried trapping but due to sheer numbers it became impossible so I have resorted to baits. I have done so in the past and never lost a chicken to poison although I do worry about it (and my other animals also). Obviously I do not leave baits in easily accessible locations however, like you, I also worry about the chickens getting poisoned mice.

I totally feel your pain.

Fleur · **Joined:** Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:52 pm **Posts:** 24

Actually you just reminded me of a trick I used to try. I would get a normal sized rubbish bin and place yummy mouse food in it, I would then make sure the mice could get access to the top of it to climb in and get the food. Once in they were unable to climb or jump back out at which point I would give the bin to some enthusiastic chickens for some rodent chasing

I never found this very effective for controlling whole populations, more of an entertainment exercise for the girls :D

Chirpybirds · **Joined:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 1:06 am **Posts:** 1

We had a bad outbreak here after the floods and we first tried traps but it was too slow so we ended up use the poison baits and have to say they worked so well killed the lot and none of the cats or wildlife where affected

julie at serenity · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:52 pm

My understanding is that with the current type of rodent baits......any animal/bird that eats a poisoned mouse is not affected by the poison.....my chooks have eaten plenty of poisoned mice....seemingly no ill effects so far

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Tue Sep 11, 2012 7:18 pm

Have a look at this bucket trap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jezQKOl5q-w

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Get a cat?

BIGCOOPS · **Joined:** Mon Sep 10, 2012 8:10 pm **Posts:** 3

for the ideas very helpful I had heard the same about the baits not having the residual so for now I will stick with it but I love the rubbish bin idea

P.s I have 2 cats but they are far to lazy to bother with mice

wickedwings · **Posted:** Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:54 am

Just stop feeding the cats, they'll get very interested in the mice quite quickly.

Fleur · **Joined:** Fri Sep 07, 2012 2:52 pm **Posts:** 24

A slightly different spin on the poisons.

My beloved black moggy went missing last week and after an exhaustive search we have just found out he was discovered dead in a nearby yard last Wednesday. I saw him last tuesday in the proud possession of a dead mouse I am assuming he found in my yard. While there is always the possiblility he had suffered internal injury after a car accident I am also a bit worried that he may have been poisoned. Unfortunately his body was disposed of before I got to check him out so we will never know, just something to keep in mind I suppose. I have been super pedantic about keeping baits away from my dog I had never considered secondary poisoning for the cat.

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