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What rodent repellent is best?

Top 5 Best Mouse Repellents MaxMoxie Pest Repeller. Peppermint Essential Oil. Rodent Repellent 4 Scent Pouches. Exterminator's Choice Vehicle Defence Rodent Repellent. Loraffe Ultrasonic Rodent Repellent.

Can a shed be used as a bedroom?
Can a shed be used as a bedroom?

A shed can make a great addition to any backyard. Not only does it provide extra storage space, but it can also be used as a guest house, office,...

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Do you need a roof vent in a shed?
Do you need a roof vent in a shed?

Good vents in your shed are an absolute must, even if you are only using it for storage. Without a good venting system, your shed can experience...

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Why Repel Mice In The First Place?

One of the most basic reasons in the world to keep control of rodents such as mice is because of the potential health problems associated with them. Rodents are known to carry over 200 different diseases, most of which can be transmitted to people. Their urine, hair, and feces – which they drop at random – can come into contact with us or our food, leading to serious illnesses. Mice and rats have been known to carry plague, rat bite fever, typhus, trichinosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Hantavirus, and more. The list is nearly inexhaustible, so getting mice under control is very important. The more you know about them, the better you can target them. Knowledge is power. Let’s use it effectively.

Mouse biology

Rodents are one of the most successful groups of animals in the world . They can live in a wide variety of climates and environmental conditions. Their large front teeth, which grow continuously throughout their life, are designed for gnawing and in fact, need to be used for that purpose in order to keep the tips worn down. This continual gnawing is one the reasons they’re so difficult to keep out; their biology forces them to keep gnawing on everything they encounter. They have an extremely keen sense of smell, and like a bloodhound, can track down enticing odors. They also release pheromones which attract others of their kind. This is why once you have one mouse, more suddenly start popping up; they’re following the trail the first one left behind. The oils are their fur also help create a trail as they rub against walls, the edges of holes, etc.

These “rub marks” will look like dark, greasy smudges.

Mice produce large litters, between 5 to 7 pups per litter, but under ideal conditions, they can give birth to twice that many. Worse yet, they can become pregnant with a second litter while the first is still nursing. The females often become sexually mature by the time they’re 30 days old, so the population can explode out of control very rapidly. Mice are omnivores, organisms that eat both plants and animals . They can, and will, eat anything people eat, so your trash cans are areas they’ll be drawn to. Because they’re so small, they only need 1/10-ounce of food per day (about 1/2-teaspoon). They only require 1/5-ounce of water per day and much of that can come from their food. Even tiny amounts of food left out where they can access it will be able to nourish and sustain them.

What type of wood do you use for a ramp?
What type of wood do you use for a ramp?

The most common type of plywood that is used for skate ramps and skateboard ramps is called Baltic birch. Baltic birch is a type of plywood that is...

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What can you make with cedar wood?
What can you make with cedar wood?

More than just an attractive wood, cedar is also able to withstand moisture and the elements for a long time. ... Top 20 DIY Cedar Wood Projects...

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Mice are also excellent jumpers. They can jump twelve inches straight up.

They can jump onto a vertical surface such as a wall or door and springboard off it to a higher level. They can jump down eight feet or more without being injured and can climb on any surface that is slightly rough because it allows them to get a good grip on it. Their sense of balance is excellent, which is why you will often see them running along wires from one telephone pole to another, or along thin tree branches. Mice are also smaller than they look. They can squeeze their head through openings as small as 1/4″ in diameter (the size of a pencil). The rest of the “bones” in their body are actually flexible cartilage, they can get their whole body through it as well. This makes it extremely difficult to keep them out.

Habitat and behavior

Mice are most comfortable in temperature ranges from 70-90ºF, the same range we normally enjoy, which makes your house perfect for them. They’re a bit sluggish during cold weather in the winter and won’t breed, but they don’t hibernate. Since it’s always summer in your house, they’ll act like it, reproducing and eating everything they can find. Mice are mainly nocturnal and are very curious about any new items in their environment. They will explore as the area around their nest for up to 200 feet in every direction. Mice will gnaw on almost anything, but they’re especially drawn to the coating on electrical wires in your home and car. In vehicles, the warmth of the engine compartment draws them in, then they’ll proceed to gnaw on the wiring. If your car suddenly refuses to start, check under the hood; you might find a dead mouse that electrocuted itself by gnawing on the battery cables. This happens more often than you might think.

Click here to learn more about other mouse removal guides.

Does cat poop deter rats?
Does cat poop deter rats?

Nor have mothballs, pepper sprays, peppermint, or other smelly chemicals been proven to deter rats. Cat, dog, or human hair or urine sprinkled in a...

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How long can an outbuilding be without planning permission?
How long can an outbuilding be without planning permission?

You can build a garage or outbuilding on your property without planning permission as long as it's of a reasonable size – no higher than 4 metres....

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Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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Do you need a Vapour barrier with Celotex in a shed?
Do you need a Vapour barrier with Celotex in a shed?

Vapour barriers The foil on foil backed insulation boards already does the same job, so a separate vapour barrier is not required. Instead, we use...

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How Far Will 6 gauge wire carry 50 amps?
How Far Will 6 gauge wire carry 50 amps?

For every 100 feet, voltage drops by 20%. Example: 50 amp wire is usually the 6 AWG (we require at least 62.5A and 6 AWG can handle 65A). If you...

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