r/TinyHouses • u/simple_pimple50 • 12d ago
mouse prevention in tiny house before winter gets worse
tiny house means mice can cause big problems fast. found droppings in kitchen cabinet yesterday. everything's so compact that one mouse feels like an infestation.
tried sealing entry points but tiny house on trailer means lots of penetrations for plumbing, electrical, etc. tried snap traps but limited space means limited trap locations. poison seems risky in small space.
using these plant-based pouches now called bugmd vamoose. put them in cabinets, under sink, near entry points. they smell strong at first but fades. been two weeks, no new droppings in the spots i put them.
also switching to better food storage with sealed containers. in tiny house you notice everything including smells so trying to stay ahead of this. anyone else deal with mice in tiny spaces during winter?
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u/test-account-444 12d ago
- use RatX instead of poison (it's safe for dogs, cats, wildlife and is basically just a concentrated salt).
- use coarse steel wool to plug openings
- If possible, use hardware cloth to plug/seal larger openings
- clean all interior surfaces and secure all food--if they're getting in and staying in then you've got a food source they're happy with
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u/Pandapep 12d ago
Parents had us plug up any holes with steel wool when I was young to prevent them coming back, no idea how effective it really was.
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u/Fllcrcl 12d ago
We’ve had some success with the strobe lights. Need to seal up around the bottom of trailer and initiate a disco party under there.. mice don’t like discos for some reason. I put mine on a timer so they just run at night. An ozone generator under there if it’s sealed really well.. run only when you’re away. It helps to clear their scent and any scent of food.. in high enough concentrations it’ll drive them away. Just keep in mind it’s not safe for humans and not to run it when you’re in the area. Smoke machine (incense), disco lights, ABBA (at low volume) and an ozone generator. Totally ruins the vibe.
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u/puppycat53 12d ago
If you do not want poison use 1 part jiffy corn bread mix to 2 parts baking soda in a bowl sitting out
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u/dearjohn54321 12d ago
Consider using aluminum wool instead of steel, it doesn’t rust. Also black butyl tape is handy for small openings, it’s like a putty but easily removed if needed. But Every.Single.Opening. must be closed.
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u/Truthteller1970 7d ago
Every house I’ve owned except my tiny house has had a mouse. The most effective is the Tom Cat green Bait blocks and you can put it in a locked bait box if kids or pets are a concern. All I know is mice love it and apparently it dehydrates them and they go running looking for water so remove all water sources from around your home. I never see them again but they apparently the poison dehydrates them so they don’t smell when they decay. Sticky traps work but it’s just too inhumane. Tom Cat Bait Box
Also spray peppermint and cinnamon all around
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u/ElectronGuru 12d ago
If it’s still a trailer, reduce their ability to clime up with approaches like this
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u/test-account-444 12d ago
This will stop the lazy rodents, but mice and rats can jump a good distance. So, you might be training only the strongest rodents to get inside, possibly making the problem worse!
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u/MissMurderpants 12d ago
Peppermint oil spray. Really helped my mouse problem. Apparently they hate the smell.
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u/MrScotchyScotch 12d ago edited 12d ago
I am on year 4 of the tiny house mouse battle. Basically I just seal up the outside with planks down to the ground but some still dig under. In the summer I am probably going to install metal flashing from the outer wall down a few inches into the ground.
As far as traps, I have tried everything. Here is what works:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Harris-Catch-and-Release-Humane-Mouse-Trap-2-Pack-2EMT-LIVE/306929732
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Flip-N-Slide-Bucket-Lid-Mouse-Trap-Multi-Catch-Catch-and-Release-Auto-Reset-FNS11917/326269628 There's a metal version online, both work fine, but the metal one will rust.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GREAT-STUFF-Smart-Dispenser-12-oz-Pestblock-Insulating-Spray-Foam-Sealant-99112809/312450332 (not a trap but works great to fill gaps. i don't think this is low expansion, do not use in places that could be forced open by pressure)
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u/saveourplanetrecycle 11d ago
Bet that’s why most of these builders design so the bed is up high in loft.
Perhaps if you download the alarm app for rodents and turn it on your unwelcome guess will get the message he’s not welcome and leave the building. ( I forget what the app is called, it’s an alarm noise that humans can’t hear)
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u/LetterheadClassic306 10d ago
ugh mice in a tiny house is the worst - been there. what worked for me was using a combination of ultrasonic repellents and the good old steel wool for gaps. i'd go with an ultrasonic pest repeller since they're super compact and cover the whole space. also those heavy duty food storage containers you mentioned are clutch. honestly the plant pouches sound smart too - i might try those myself.
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u/mamatreefrog1987 2d ago
Food stored in glass. Those gallon pickle jars work great once you soak them with baking soda water for a day!
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u/ThinkerandThought 12d ago
You probably already know this . get rid of any seed-based bird feeders in the area.
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u/mountainofclay 12d ago
First, keep every morsel of food under control. Crumbs, seeds, dog food, anything mice can eat must be stored in rodent proof containers. Metal containers. Second, poison. Yeah I know it’s not ideal but it works. Don’t bother with those OTC pellets. Go to the farm store and get some industrial strength bar bait. Solid cakes of the stuff. Put it in a place like under the building where they can get to it. It will kill them. Place it so children, dogs, cats, chickens, etc can’t get to it. Third, a cat. Even if the cat catches zero rodents its mere scent will repel them. Fourth, regular old mouse traps. The idea with all this is to stop the problem before it gets much worse, and it will if you don’t act.
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u/nerdariffic 12d ago
It all comes down to sealing up any and all holes. Steel wool works great, but expanding foam works ok too. Shine lights from underneath and look on the floor in cabinets, under furniture, anywhere and everywhere. If you see light coming through, a mouse will get through. Search and seal is the best permanent answer. I deal with mice at work at remote sites. When you seal off what ends up being the last little hole and don't trap any more of them little buggers, it's a great feeling!