Rats and mice

[JSM]

Thanks for the replies. I just got the part price - $6.50. Thank goodness. My dealer is pretty honest and fair, I think.

I am going to get the bucket trap up and running this weekend, keep replacing the TSC bait, and disperse a couple of boxes of moth balls in the old barn. The parts guy at the dealer told me to put some dryer sheets and a small box of moth balls up under the hood where I found the nest, each time I put the tractor up.

The first guy I talked to in the service dept told me to get 3-4 cats. I declined on that one.... lol

Thanks again for the help.

Joseph

 

[Poncho]

Hey... I got some kittens I can mail to you! I actually have "barn cats" the roam the property and after 12 years, I've yet to see a snake or a mouse on the property

 

[tractchores]

The 'rat zapper' works really well and I've never had anything steal the bait, just be careful with it (hurts like heck if you get zapped!). You may have warafin resistant rats / mice, so you can vary the bait and poison type. I'd use some caution with mothballs, I use them too, but the fumes can eat away at some kinds of rubber and flexible plastics. I've found my best bet is to have a bunch of traps around the equipment and to put out poison at times when the mice tend to come inside (around here that's when it gets cold).

 

[Jay4200]

There is an old wives' tale around here - if you keep the hood open on your tractor, mice won't nest in there. I've been keeping my tractor's engine sidepanels off, and I haven't had anything get into the area. I have a LOT of critters running around in my barn too. Not to say it isn't just coincidence, but it's easy enough to try.

JayC

 

[kneedeep]

I use this in my hunting camp and lake house, seems to work and available at TSC

Fresh Cab® #1 Botanical Rodent Repellant, 10 oz. - 4205547 | Tractor Supply Company

 

[tractchores]

There is an old wives' tale around here - if you keep the hood open on your tractor, mice won't nest in there. I've been keeping my tractor's engine sidepanels off, and I haven't had anything get into the area. I have a LOT of critters running around in my barn too. Not to say it isn't just coincidence, but it's easy enough to try.

JayC

Ive heard that too and think its because they don't want to be in the open. I try to keep anythng that is inviting in the open and avoid stuff against walls at floor level and that cuts down on some nests.

 

[rlinwood]

I use these or a variation. Making a 5 gal. bucket mouse trap. - YouTube
fill with non toxic antifreeze in the winter and they will drown. The most I have caught 15 in a week. Best part is keeps working and working and working.

We have barn cats that do a fairly good job but might be interested in trying this bucket-mouse-trap idea, too.
Any feedback on drowning mice without nailing the cats?
They have a hard enough time avoiding the coyotes...

 

[Jay4200]

The 'rat zapper' works really well and I've never had anything steal the bait, just be careful with it (hurts like heck if you get zapped!).

What's a rat zapper? I've always wanted to build an electric mouse trap. Either that, or one that sets off an M80 in their mouth.

Edit:
Nevermind - I looked "rat zapper" up. I also found this:

http://pestcemetery.com/3-easy-home-made-mouse-traps/

2-liter bottle trap shows promise - I think I might try one this weekend.

JayC

 

[creekbend]

There are various types of devices available, as other members have suggested. But, from my personal experience, nothing beats a good "CAT". If you have a problem with squirrels, a "CAT" will take care of them also.

 

[nybirdman]

As stated keep putting out the baits;it does take a while.I have had good luck with TomCat from TSC.Strange thing this year had baits(large ones) disappearing nightly.Finally caught a possum in a live trap.I read later poisons don't work on possums.