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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Lifestyle
Millie Bull & Rebecca Daly

'I used cheap steel wool trick to get rid of mice from my house for good'

During the winter months, our homes are the perfect place for mice to shelter, with food and warmth readily available to them.

Though they are small and largely harmless to humans, they can cause damage and leave urine and droppings around.

Thankfully, fans of Mrs Hinch have shared some simple solutions for deterring mice, beyond the usual method of using traps.

Read more: 'Snow' in new triple weather warning from Met Eireann ahead of big Christmas freeze

One Facebook user in the cleaning sensation’s online community asked the question: “Why do we get mice? I’ve been in my property for six months and there were a few holes before I moved in but I didn’t see or hear anything.

“Then, within two months I heard them [mice] they got louder and braver… and at three months I found droppings and got a cat and plug-ins.

“Last three months have been fine but now I have noticed droppings and have been hearing noises again in the last two weeks.

“My children don’t eat upstairs, however, due to still renovating the home, we haven’t built the wardrobes and we live out of carrier bags/boxes.

“I hoover two to three times a week upstairs and it’s kept as clean as possible. So not sure why on earth I have had them return?

“Please help. When my floors are being laid, how do I close up the holes? And will this encourage them to make new ones?”

The post was inundated with responses from Mrs Hinch fans but the most popular suggestion was to use steel wool.

Julie Wilson commented: “Traps with peanut butter and get some anti-mouse peppermint spray from Amazon. Also block holes with steel wool.”

Samantha Ann Hobbs replied: “If you don’t have steel wool. Aluminium foil works also.”

Denise Oswald agreed and replied to the Facebook post: “Steel wool is good to plug holes.”

Pdsp Seawell wrote: “When I first moved into my new house I was getting mice. I went and purchased the steel wool that we used to scrub our dishes with and found all the holes in the house.

“Mostly it was around the pipes and under the sinks. I've been there five years and I have not had another mouse come in my house.”

Steel wool can be found online or in local hardware stores.

Other suggestions for deterring mice included using traps, peppermint oil, chicken wire, mothballs and Brillo pads.

Gina Grandy said: “Plug any holes with Brillo pads, I was advised to do this by a rodent professional.”

Anna Muise commented: “They hate mothballs. I know a lady who rid her farmhouse by not hurting them or anything harsh just smashed up moth balls sprinkled them all over.”

Clare Ostler replied: “Chicken wire then plaster. If you can get a pencil through the hole they will get in. It’s no way because you have a dirty house.”

Betty Wing wrote: “You need to find where they are getting in from outside. Get it all sealed up. Mice don't like the smell of peppermint or eucalyptus - you could try that also.”

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