Mouse Problem - Call the Pros?

Question

I was just alerted that one of my tenants saw a mouse in her kitchen. Immediately, I went and called a local pest control company to get a quote to take care of the issue.

For $275, I will get three visits from them. They will come in and set poison feeding stations in the basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor and attic. They said it is perfectly safe for kids/pets, but what will happen is that these mice will eventually just die wherever (there is not trap they die in)

Questions:

• Is this quote reasonable for a 2-family with 3 visits?
• Is this the best approach to take (poison and just letting them die)
• If you think it makes sense to have them come, should I buy separate traps to put out to hopefully catch them? (Thinking of those little black electronic ones where they go in and get zapped)

This is my first time dealing with this, so any help/insight would be fantastic!

William Powell · Answer

mice eradication is a very helpful skill to develop. At the end of the day mice will be your problem. Especially, in this new cancel culture climate. I recommend using wood traps and bate stations outside the home. Also, locate any holes on the outside of the house and fix them. Any clutter and debris near the house needs to be removed and cleaned. A few suggestions that will help. However, if they continue to come back every few months or quarters I would find out what the tenant is doing and document via paper notice or texts.

Mattie Covatch · Answer

I wouldn't call exterminators just for that. I've caught at least half a dozen mice in my own home this year. I put traps down, catch one, and repeat. Cleaned the place and checked for holes. My mice problem wasn't hard to control myself.

Thomas S. · Answer

I have used warfarin for 20 years and find there is rarely ever any smell. The poison dehydrates the bodies eliminating any smell. In addition the poison causes them to need to drink so for the most part they will leave the building looking for water and die outside. I use nothing but the poison.

Nice thing is you can keep it out permanently and never have to clear traps.

Ryan K. · Answer

I wouldn't use the poison bait - they will die and the odor will be nasty for up to a month depending on where they die. I find a bunch of strategically placed glue traps work best. But beware you will find the nice alive and stuck to trap and will need to deal with it which can hard for some people.

Mike Cumbie · Answer

Hi @Robert P.,

In the rural areas we get them in all over during the fall. I find the old school "snap traps" are the cheapest and most efficient. I have tried the spin ones they get caught inside of....  had the bait taken and mouse droppings inside it. For $4.00 and a little peanut butter you can set 6 or 7 of the snap ones and check them over the next 3 days and all done.

Pros:

Cheap, Doesn't leave dead mice in walls to smell for a week before it dissipates, can move out of range of kids and pets, no poison in your house, Quick results

Cons:

Kind of nasty to clean up after

Good luck

Robert P. · Answer

@Deanna McCormick Thanks for the tips! I would much rather take that approach, I just absolutely hate critters like that.

I don't have any trees hanging over house, no outside dumpster or anything (just town issues plastic bins kept as far away from the house as I can already), but there may be some exterior holes where they may be coming in? I will have to check and see.

I know basement and 1st floor have absolutely no visible sign of anything. 2nd floor as mentioned above had some signs when I bought house and renovated, but we cleaned it up and sealed as many holes as we could.

It wasn't until I went in the attic and ruffled around insulation that the mouse appeared. Just hoping there isn't a family living up there. Attic seems to be the access point since only 2nd floor has seen one, but still not 100% sure. That's why I kind of what to call in the professionals. Although $50 sounds a lot better than $275.....

Robert P. · Answer

@Tony Castronovo This is the first time I have had any complaints from them (granted they have only been living there for about 5 months or so.

We just bought the house and when renovating, we did see mouse droppings in the same apartment, but no mice. We cleaned it up, sealed any holes we could see and went on with renting it out.

They have only seen one - and it came a day after I was in the attic fixing insulation that an electrician removed to re-wire the upstairs. The problem is, I have only owned the home since April, so not sure what could already be there. That's why my gut is saying go with the pros to hopefully not let this get any bigger than it already is.

I haven't met with the company yet, just spoke with the lady over the phone to set up an appointment who just seemed to be a receptionist.

Deanna McCormick · Answer

I would do the pest control for this particular problem myself.

Put down glue boards, where the mice were first noticed. and several other places. ask tenant to monitor and leave extra glue boards for them to replace if mice is caught.. Say you'll be back in the next few days give date,, and be checking also.

Does the tenant have pets.. usually by dog dishes or cat dishes are first place mice will visit,, the pet buffet..

Have all exterior trash container moved if right next to the house.  Bait and put exterior traps outside,  the black plastic ones bait goes inside.

Mice will crawl right up the side of a house, or drop onto house from tree limbs so make sure tree limbs are kept clear. If you find a hole in foundation plug up with steel wool and the spray foam stuff.

I wouldn't pay for exterminator on this if it's the first time for mouse issue.. it's fall time mice appear and for $50.00 you can get the issue in check.

If tenant refuses to cooperate then your gonna have to use the pest control guy.

Tony Castronovo · Answer

Were there multiple occurrences/sightings?  One mouse may not be a $275 problem.  Did the pest control person seem to indicate an infestation?  If it was one mouse I might try the DIY approach.  If it's a bigger issue I would probably hire a pest control company.  Not sure what the going rate is.