# How do you know when your house is mouse-free? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 25, 2007, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-when-your-house-is-mouse-free/393573 "2007-02-25T03:44:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-when-your-house-is-mouse-free/393573/21 "2007-02-26T18:23:00Z")
[QUOTE=Nanoda] I mean, houses in Edmonton all have 2’ of cement foundation above grade, and even a mouse-sized hole means frigid drafts when it’s -30. [/QUOTE] A mouse can fit through a hole big enough to accommodate its skull, which is pretty small. I went around my foundation and used an expanding foam spray to seal up any holes. Definitely worth your time once the spring thaw comes. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2007, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-when-your-house-is-mouse-free/393573/22 "2007-02-26T18:55:08Z")
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net] Or, like Q.E.D. said, get a cat. They are cheaper than exterminators, and continue to be effective against mice as long as they live in the house. [/QUOTE] Or a snake. Friend of a friend had mice, and a pet snake. Snake got loose and crawled into the walls. Stayed there for about a month, then come slithering out none the worse for wear. Mouse problem was evidently solved - doubt the snake ate them all, more likely they came to the group decision that He Who Crawls Between The Walls is a vengeful god and it was time to infest the neighbors instead. ---
**Author:** ![slaphead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@slaphead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slaphead)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-when-your-house-is-mouse-free/393573/23 "2007-02-27T14:54:11Z")
[QUOTE=Throatwarbler Mangrove] Clean up the stove, mice like to hide in those and it’s a nightmare to get them out. [/QUOTE] And they have been known to gnaw at the electrics inside, get electrocuted, and then create a foul burning stench every time the cooker is used, until it is removed for replacement, at which point the mouse briquette can barely be identified. Ick. [QUOTE=CookingWithGas] A mouse can fit through a hole big enough to accommodate its skull, which is pretty small. [/QUOTE] Yep, I’ve often heard it said that a mouse can fit through any hole which can accommodate a Bic ball-point. I have no idea how accurate this is, but it’s probably not far off. \*\*Nanoda \*\* - bear in mind that if a wall has a hole in the inside and outside, connected by a long winding narrow space (or with some burrowable insulation between), it will not necessarily be obvious to anyone but the mice that there is a mouse highway leading into your home. [QUOTE=Throatwarbler Mangrove] These bait stations were placed near heater pipes [/QUOTE] Again, no cite but I believe this is the explanation for your dust & fluff - mice corpses are small and near a constant source of dry heat with good airflow will probably turn into a furry strip of beef jerky pretty fast. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-when-your-house-is-mouse-free/393573/24 "2007-02-27T17:23:20Z")
I have 8 or so glue traps as “monitoring devices” in my attic, basement, utility room, etc. Initially I caught one. Haven’t caught one nor seen evidence of rodents, but I like the idea of constant surveillance. (to those who say glue traps are inhumane, I agree but use them anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-when-your-house-is-mouse-free/393573/25 "2007-02-27T17:53:37Z")
For those using snap type traps, use peanut butter or Cheese dip… something that cant be scurried off with. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-know-when-your-house-is-mouse-free/393573.md?page=1)