How do I stop the mice chewing through my water pipes?

[AndrewT]

I had a water leak last weekend.
The mice in the loft space for the winter decided to gnaw through the hot water pipe.
Replaced the damaged part and good for a week.
Saturday night another flood.
This time they chewed through the cold water pipe.

Most of my pipes are plastic, just copper next to the hot water tank and next to the oil boiler.
I plan to replace the plastic in this local area with copper. I'm working on a plan on how to get copper into that tiny roof space and make connections. It will not be easy.

Never had any previous mouse problems. New brood being very investigative?
I looked at a couple of googled threads on mice and plastic pipes, but there was no consensus.

Any ideas on how to stop them attacking other plastic around the house?

 

[soekris]

Get a cat or two ?

 

[AndrewT]

No pets and they cannot access the loft space.

 

[billshurv]

I get rats move in every autumn. once they are in the house then all I can do is poison them. They don't seem to want the quick death of the rat trap.

Mice I have usually been able to catch in traps when they get in.

The bees this year were a big annoyance

 

[AndrewT]

Maybe try some traps in this area.
I plan to leave the holes in the bathroom ceiling open until I think I have the problem sorted, probably next spring after the field mice return to the fields.

 

[johnnyx]

I know someone that rigged up an ultrasonic deterrent- they didn't like the noise and moved to quieter surroundings.

 

[xx3stksm]

I also have a mice problem. My best solution so far is glue trap for mice like this. It is very effective to catch mice. My trouble has almost gone.

Amazon.com: mouse trap glue

 

[billshurv]

problem with glue traps is that you have to dispatch whatever is caught in them. You may be ok hitting mice on the head. Not everyone is.

 

[Roby60]

ultrasonic and concentrate nicotine solution on their way seems working in my house but be careful to your pet access and take gloves.

 

[Vrystaat]

Andrew, this works and costs nothing and you won't have to kill them yourself.
YouTube

 

[Pano]

^ That sounds like a keen idea.

 

[Trollet]

Here we usually use "mice blocks" behind the panel.
I've got galvanized hanger strip covering the airspace under the panel. 25mm wide and 10 meters long. Just cut it in right length.

Figge

 

[Hiten]

Since they like plastic pipes some rat poison spread over or kept along side loose separate plastic pipes pieces that were damaged and discarded. (?)

 

[DF96]

An ultrasonic deterrent seemed to move them out of my garage. We now have a cat, and he is a very good mouser - although I assume he brings them in from the garden rather than finds them in the house. He even insists on patrolling the garage about once a week - although this is in a different house. I have been told that the smell of a cat in a house will deter mice from occupying places which the cat cannot reach (e.g. under the floorboards).

 

[00940]

The good old mouse trap worked quite well for me if:
- you take extra care not to leave your scent on it;
- you use nuts (peanut or hazelnuts spread work best) as bait. Cheese is folklore.

 

[kevinahcc20]

problem with glue traps is that you have to dispatch whatever is caught in them. You may be ok hitting mice on the head. Not everyone is.

Bucket of water is effective!

 

[scott wurcer]

I'm working on a plan on how to get copper into that tiny roof space and make connections. It will not be easy.

Sharkbites one of the greatest ever inventions.

Plumbing Parts & Products: PEX Fittings & More by SharkBite

 

[Nico Ras]

Mice like moles and rats teeth grow continually and need things to gnaw to wear them down. There is a very effective way to get rid of mice using a house snake. In the UK you would probably buy them at your local pet shop for a buck or two.

These snakes are not poisonous but they remain a snake and besides eating the mice it scares them shitless. The snakes are especially keen of baby mice and normally rid you of even the future problem.

You don't have to look after the snake, water it, stroke it or befriends it - when the food is gone it will also leave without a trace. Moreover you would not even know it is there.

 

[gpauk]

The good old mouse trap worked quite well for me if:
- you take extra care not to leave your scent on it;
- you use nuts (peanut or hazelnuts spread work best) as bait. Cheese is folklore.

Peanut butter or chocolate are the best baits, I find.

 

[gpauk]

An ultrasonic deterrent seemed to move them out of my garage. We now have a cat, and he is a very good mouser - although I assume he brings them in from the garden rather than finds them in the house. He even insists on patrolling the garage about once a week - although this is in a different house. I have been told that the smell of a cat in a house will deter mice from occupying places which the cat cannot reach (e.g. under the floorboards).

Which ultrasonic device did you use? And did it help clear a double garage or a single?
I used to use poison, but the mice would just move it around and not eat it - you'd find it some time later neatly piled up on a shelf!! Traps work but require daily checks....