Mouse-Proofing a Maine Summer Camp - Suggestions? (lease, buy)

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by OkieTex

This suggestions may not be for everyone, but down south we had a problem with mice in the attic. The pest control man suggested "borrowing" some cats long enough for them to dirty a litter box. He advised to NOT clean the litter box and just leave it into the attic. Evidently the smell of cat (predator) urine is enough to deter mice for a long time. We have a spare litter box which we switch out every couple of months and we have not had any problems with mice ever since using this trick. It doesn't seem to phase squirrels, though.

I'd take the mice over the smell of cat urine

[Joberry]

moth balls , moth balls, moth balls inside and out, that seems to help plus decon or some type of product , the best is sold at farm centers.

[D from Texas]

Best solution to protect mattresses and bedding and any other materials from mice and other pests is to buy a connex or shipping container... we purchased one that is 8ft x 20ft. There are smaller ones also available. It seals completely and nothing can get into it, not even bugs.

We use it to store all our gear and leave the cabin empty. It is easier to move the bedding back onto the bed frames and know that it is clean. It is also much more difficult to break into.... our stuff has been alot safer. D from Texas

[OkieTex]

Great suggestion! Much better than air mattresses. Depending on where you are located, do you have any problem with dampness or mold?

[JLynn35]

We have a camp but we use it all year long. Occassionally we have problems with mice...we use a lot of decon, I put it under the sink, behind the stove/fridge and under the beds. We have done our best to make sure there are not little gaps in walls as I have read that mice can get through the hole the size of a dime. We also open up all of our cupboards and drawers because we've been told the mice don't like to make nests where there is light. Our last couple trips up I have seen no sign of mice...we are just having fun with the cluster flies!!

[Zarathu]

Feed them .....

with a mixture of concrete(or plaster of paris) and flour. Make sure your have NO internal water source. and a big pan of water outside. They will eat the stuff and head for water to try to evacuate it. But of course, water makes it worse, and they get terminal constipation---outside. Its probably a pretty painful death, but at least its not some dangerous chemical.

[msina]

Originally Posted by JLynn35

We have a camp but we use it all year long. Occassionally we have problems with mice...we use a lot of decon, I put it under the sink, behind the stove/fridge and under the beds. We have done our best to make sure there are not little gaps in walls as I have read that mice can get through the hole the size of a dime. We also open up all of our cupboards and drawers because we've been told the mice don't like to make nests where there is light. Our last couple trips up I have seen no sign of mice...we are just having fun with the cluster flies!!

*&%#(*@ cluster flies!! We had them this past week! Best thing we've found is to spray the outside of the house with spectracide. Reapply after rain.

[Maineguy04654]

You cant. You can try but your never going to make a home near or in the woods of Maine mouse proof.

[Clarissa2010]

Maybe this will help.

How to Get Rid of Mice in Furniture and a Mattress | eHow.com

[Blue heron]

I do what I can to deter them from coming in:
I stuff steel wool and put metal flanges around pipe openings. I put reinforced tape sling bottom if attic access doors, etc. I have metal screening over vents.
I put toaster and small appliances in cabinets. I put plates over stove coils and empty kitchen drawers and place them upside down. I also remove refrigerator shelves since I unplug it and have to leave door open. Wastebaskets upside down. Stick in tub if needed for escape. Toilets drained and covered.
I also use ODORS mice don’t like when I close house:
1. Peppermint Oil (w water in a spray bottle)
2. Bounce Dryer Sheets.
3. Moth balls.
For years I sprinkled moth balls on beds, furniture and throughout the house. It works well, but I now know the ingredients are toxic to humans, so be sure to remove and air out House well in spring. I’ve owned my cottage for 40 years so have tried it all but never trap or poison. They are just innocent creatures trying to live and survive.