Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know that we have mice in our house; it is an 1800s farmhouse, and a few mice seem unavoidable this time of year. Though we use traps and try to block outside entrances and got a cat (with a disposition like Garfield), the mice apprear again anyway.
I heard one scurrying around the dining room (snake room) last night, and my poor female was at the glass trying to get out and go after the house mouse! Even though I fed her that day. But the smell must be driving her wild, such a good meal, so out of reach. I do have a cat, but his idea of mouse-hunting is sleeping on the back of the couch.
Is there anything I can do, short of standing there with a broom all night swatting at mice? I don't think I would get much sleep doing that!
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*~Ginevive~*

The sticky glue traps placed around the terrarium can either catch or discourage the mice from getting around it. The biggest drawback to them is the chance your cat might end up getting into them either accidentally or by trying to get at any mice that might get stuck on them.

I don't know if mice find it as offensive as cats do, but we've found that cats and dogs really dislike the smell of wintergreen. A mild wintergreen solution sprayed around the places where the mice get into the snake room might discourage them, though I might be inclined to try and test it under a more controlled situation first.

You might also try doing a Google search for natural mouse repellants. I recall reading some time back about certain herbs that mice find repulsive, though now I can't remember what herbs those were.

why not just sprinkle poison around the area where the mice appear? you can set that area an off limits place for your cat.

The problem with poisoning mice in one area of the house is that they rarely die instantly with poison. If the mouse wanders to the area where the cat is, the cat could find the dead mouse and munch on it, possibly ingesting some of the poison him (or her) self.

Some of the poisons are cumulative, and will continue to build up in the body until they reach a level where they cause health problems, possibly including death.

I think we just have to concentrate on sealing the house better. There are a few open heat vents that need better screening. I know that the basement will have mice eternally; it's a dirt-floor type, and it would cost thousands to seal it up right! But I am going to place more sticky traps in the back hall and bathroom where the cat can't go. thanks for the advice!
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*~Ginevive~*