Tips for Detecting Mice and How to Get Rid of Them

That’s how I felt about four Septembers ago when I did a double-take, thinking, “That couldn’t have been a mouse—not in my house!”

Not believing what I thought I saw, I continued typing on my computer keyboard downstairs. I was looking forward to some uninterrupted time alone where I could get some work done. My husband was out of town and it was just me and the dog—or so I thought.

When I later went upstairs I saw the same little furry creature scoot behind my entertainment center—-I felt my heart stand still. Needless to say I didn’t sleep that night. And, my fearless dog that usually doesn’t let a creature come within ten feet of his territory just slept as the mouse ran in front on his nose. It was then I wished we’d adopted a cat and not a dog.

The next day, jumpy and tired from a restless night, I trudged into the kitchen and almost dropped my frying pan, screaming “Get Outta Here!”. My little houseguest had climbed upstairs and was hiding now behind my China cabinet, staring up at me. Too frazzled to even cook breakfast I grabbed my keys and purse and took off to Home Depot for supplies before going to church.

I was foolish enough to waste $17 for a so-called mouse alarm (which can’t be heard by humans but only by mice). Because I had a dog I didn’t buy any traps or poisons, but did buy half a dozen glue traps (the only thing that actually worked). I drove back home and positioned two glue traps at the foot of my stairs (assuming the mouse would eventually go downstairs where he came from). Then, still trembling I drove to church. When it came down for prayer requests, I scribbled in an anonymous plea to “please pray that the mouse in my house is caught” and tossed it into the offering plate. I don’t’ have to tell you that the congregation broke out in hysterics.

Then, slipping out the back door, before the benediction, I drove home. Trembling, I opened the basement door and looked, sighing a prayer of relief as I stared down at a glued mouse. “Sorry little fella,” I said, scooping up the trapped mouse into a plastic bag. But you have to go.” Then I tossed the glue trap and dying mouse into my backfield.

But as the saying goes…”if you find one mouse, rest assured, there’s a whole family left behind…”

And so my saga continued for the next few days until I eventually caught them all—for awhile.

How can know if you have mice in your house? And, once they barge in, how can you get rid of them? Here are a few tips…

How do you know you’ve been invaded?

*droppings–-Mice leave their calling card by their small black droppings, found usually in attics and even in kitchens. That’s right, kitchens! I almost fainted when I opened up my hot pad drawer and found a handful of droppings. However, this was enough to clue me in to leaving glue traps under the sink, leading to catching a mouse the following morning.

*gnawings—If you see gnawing little teeth marks on your baseboards, chances are you have some uninvited rodent guests. Put out glue traps and see if they come back. Most glue traps are already baited, but it doesn’t hurt to add a dab of peanut butter to make the trap more inviting.

*scratching sounds within your walls—I first heard some scratching sounds within my basement walls long before I saw my first mouse. I should have carried through and done more detective work, but guess you could say I was in denial…..

If you’re persistent, you can catch all the mice in your house (for a season). Of course, it’s best to find out how they’re getting into your home in the first place. Check any holes or openings in your house and garage, as well as broken window screens, etc. Unfortunately, we never found out how the mice were sneaking into our home.

But the good news is, you eventually get over your fear. I remember one winter afternoon when I was busy cooking in the kitchen. I glanced up and saw a mouse scoot across the floor, behind the China cabinet (one of their favorite hide-outs in our old Connecticut house.) I just smiled and said, “Hello there!” Then, later that evening, I sat out some traps and the little critter was captured. I was actually proud of myself—I didn’t freak out.

They’re really not that frightful. Take it from someone who used to have panic attacks just seeing a photograph of one. And, after all, you are much bigger than they are.