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hattie
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2019 08:57pm
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We have been very successful catching mice with the bucket mouse trap Bob built using the instructions on this site. With the winter months not too far off I have a question.
The heritage cabin we are restoring (and the building with the bucket trap) won't be used in the winter. It is inaccessible. What are your thoughts about putting some anti-freeze in with the water in the bucket to prevent it freezing over the winter months? Would that work? Do you think the little critters would get too smelly come spring?
My thought is to dump the bucket's contents down the outhouse hole in the spring so no owls or other animals eat the dead mice. I don't want any other animals or birds dying because of the anti-freeze.
I would really appreciate your input on this. Thanks!!
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2019 09:08pm - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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Use RV antifreeze, its the stuff you pour down the sink traps etc to keep drains from freezing and inside toilets. This stuff isnt poisonous. I know my fellow cabineers dont like poisons.
There is also automotive antifreeze with embitterment added. Animals shy from it.
Example here:
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2019 10:46pm
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That is good to know toyota_mdt_tech. I had no idea RV antifreeze wasn't poisonous. I definitely would choose no poison if we have the option and now it looks like we do. Thanks so much! I'll tell our group!!
Right now we just use plain water and when we catch a mouse we throw it outside for other animals to eat since no poisons are used. I think if we use RV antifreeze I would still dump them down the outhouse toilet but at least we wouldn't have to worry about anything getting killed if they do happen to find them.
GREAT INFORMATION!! That's why I love this forum. 
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FishHog
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2019 08:17am
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I use automotive antifreeze in the winter mixed correctly with water. Works all winter and basically preserves the mice so there is no smell or decomposition. I’ve left it for 6 months and you would think the mice were only a day old
I don’t know if the rv stuff preserves like that
I burn my dead mice so nothing eats them
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:14am
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No freezing at my place, I've had a dozen mice sitting in water all winter decomposing.
But at my house in the burbs I have rats in the driveway, chewing at my vehicles. Tried the 5 gallon bucket, they just ate the PB and moved on. So I made an industrial strength unit out of the bottom of a 55 gallon plastic drum. They just left it alone. Smart buggers.
I just bought an electrical sonic wave dingus that connects to the car battery that's supposed to scare them off, we'll see how it works this winter.
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FishHog
Member
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2019 03:23pm
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electrical sonic wave dingus
Unfortunately they are proven to not work or if they do it’s only for a very short time
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 21 Aug 2019 03:54pm
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I have tried those electronic devices without any success. Instead of throwing them out, I took them to the heritage cabin and have them inside it near the windows. The devices have a small flashing red light. It looks like a security system.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 22 Aug 2019 08:39am
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Quoting: paulz I have rats in the driveway, chewing at my vehicles
Boy, see thsi often as a dealer tech. Very destructive. I can pop a hood and tell right away if a rat has been in there, smell and signs left behind. Much worse than the deer mice. But deer mice carry huntaviris.
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paulz
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# Posted: 22 Aug 2019 09:13am
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My neighbor's Toyota had it's wiring chewed up, the dealer told him Toyota wiring is favorite menu item, has soy in the insulation. True? They have left the wiring in my old Chevy alone.
Sorry to hear the sonic things don't work, guess I'll use it as a fake alarm too. You'd think the neighbor's cat, which spends considerable time in my driveway infuriating my dog, would keep them away. Probably a conspiracy.
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Atlincabin
Member
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# Posted: 22 Aug 2019 09:34am
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Ford also has soy in insulation. Porcupines like it. Ask me how I know ($). Now have chicken wire under the engine compartment, that has helped.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2019 08:28am
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The problem i see with these traps is unless your keeping them out of the cabin your baiting rodents in your cabin. The point is to keep them out. Yes your killing them and thats good but your also attracting them.
We use to go to a cabin that someone put mouse poison behind the kitchen cabinets. Mice everywhere inside and at night you could hear them. After i cleaned it all out i threw 2 poison blocks under the cabin and one under a log in the wood shed. 1yr later no mice. Catch/kill your mice out of the cabin.
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Wilbour
Member
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2019 09:29am
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Quoting: FishHog I burn my dead mice so nothing eats them
"Hey, let's put another mouse on the fire"
Doesn't sound the same.
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old243
Member
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2019 10:13am
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I know mice blocks are not a popular subject to some people. I have an empty rural barn, surrounded by acres of hay fields. In the fall the mice and the occasional rat , would find their way into our house.
Two years ago I got three bait stations. Dog and child proof. Put one in the barn, one in my workshop and one beside the foundation of our house , covered with a box, to protect it from the weather. After the first year , we have had no critters in the house, that I am aware of. I check the bait stations several times a year, and replenish them , as needed. It is amazing how much is used. I know my wife, is and myself , are happier, not having gnawing in the wall at night, and eaten stored vegetables in the basement. May not suit everyone, but has helped our situation. old243
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Brettny
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2019 12:19pm
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I use bait stations too. They work very well.
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