Stopping Mice from eating my cushions

[Judders]

We spent two hours stripping every non-essential item off of the boat yesterday and this morning it will be my job to stow everything in the barn. It occurs to me that in the past, mice have damaged garden furniture (not here mind). Is there anything I can do to protect my cushions from little furry teeth?

 

[Coaster]

Is there anything I can do to protect my cushions from little furry teeth?

Large furry cat.

 

[Malish]

have you a 240V supply to the barn? the sonic repellers seem to have a positive effect on encouraging rodents to bu*ger off. I would suppliment with a few traditional traps just to be sure

 

[Refueler]

Nope is the basic answer.

I've had ultrasonic plug in gear - works in direct line of sight, but they soon learn how to avoid.
I've used poison bait - but then if you have cats / dogs that's difficult.
I've placed gear up on tables / raised ... I don't know how - but they still get up there.

I would suggest that only possible way is to suspend the gear from ceiling with no easy route for them to get up there, down the suspension ropes ..

 

[PetiteFleur]

The only sure way is to put them in a tin or closeable box - maybe one of the large plastic boxes you can buy from the sheds with a good tight fitting lid - Oh and put down poison, or traps which I do in purpose made/bought containers. Or keep in the house?

 

[nigelmercier]

have you a 240V supply to the barn? the sonic repellers seem to have a positive effect on encouraging rodents to bu*ger off. I would suppliment with a few traditional traps just to be sure

I was plagued with mice in my loft, dancing above my head! Fitted a sonic repeller about 5 years ago, and the dancing has stopped.

 

[Topcat47]

If they want to get in they'll just gnaw a hole in the plastic box....it needs to be tin ot wood.

 

[sarabande]

The plastic boxes idea is good, and a way round the mice and rats gnawing their way through is to put the boxes on 'staddle stones'. (T'nail 1)

These have been used for donkeys' 'ears out on farms for hay barns to prevent rodents getting inside.

Until mice learn to do really clever mountaineering tricks, that is !

Rat guards or cones used on big ships perform the same function. (T'nail 2)


and here's a neat little invention you could make up in your own garage -
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6011219.html

 

[tinkicker0]

The plastic boxes idea is good, and a way round the mice and rats gnawing their way through is to put the boxes on 'staddle stones'. (T'nail 1)

These have been used for donkeys' 'ears out on farms for hay barns to prevent rodents getting inside.

Until mice learn to do really clever mountaineering tricks, that is !

Rat guards or cones used on big ships perform the same function. (T'nail 2)


and here's a neat little invention you could make up in your own garage -
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6011219.html

As an obviously animal minded person Sara, can you advise of a way to stop spiders crawling up the mooring lines. Every time we go to the boat, its out with the kleenex and spider bashing.

Why are boats so popular with spiders?????

 

[demonboy]

Why are boats so popular with spiders?????

Spiders rarely get sea-sick. They have lots of sea-legs

 

[sarabande]

spiders don't like boric acid, so you might try soaking part of the lines in some.

 

[srp]

I would suggest that only possible way is to suspend the gear from ceiling with no easy route for them to get up there, down the suspension ropes ..

I put some bird food in a plastic bucket and hung it from a hook on a joist in the garage. Within two days the mice had found it. And eaten most of it.

Cat, terrier, poison, air gun, stick or spade all effective to some degree. My experience with ultrasonic repellers is that they have no effect whatsoever.

 

[mainmarine]

We spent two hours stripping every non-essential item off of the boat yesterday and this morning it will be my job to stow everything in the barn. It occurs to me that in the past, mice have damaged garden furniture (not here mind). Is there anything I can do to protect my cushions from little furry teeth?

Why not leave them on the boat and use dehumidifier packs, I leave my upholstery on board all year and the boat is afloat all year, not had a problem with damp but I do go and stay on the boat for a few days every month even in the winter.

 

[rjandhl]

Motorhome forums recommend the use of "Bounce" tumble drier sheets, as the mice can't bear the smell of them. The product is a perfumed sheet of tissue paper which you put into the tumble dryer to impart a pleasant smell and more bounce to your laundry.
Not something that I have tried but worth a go.