Got a mice problem that I've tracked down to gaps in the stucco near
the ground. What seems odd to me is that the walls are not
constructed flush all the way down to the ground. In other words,
near ground level, there is a 90 degree indentation of about 1-2
inches. This goes all around the house, and I don't see a reason why
it's built this way (I'm not familiar with stucco or construction
techniques and materials). On the underside of this indentation
appears to be some kind of aluminum edging, and the mice are
exploiting the poor seal between the stucco and this aluminum edging.
I have also found some large openings along this underside at corners,
some you could stick a baseball into. I patched up the two places
where I found mice entering, but if they got in at these two spots, I
would think they can tear open new gaps elsewhere.

This is a new construction house (my sister's) but the seller was the
general contractor himself (not a professional) and as you'd expect is
a pain to deal with. Should I go around the perimeter of the house
sealing the indentation with stucco patch? I need a permanent fix to
this mice problem and would appreciate any advice or similar
experiences. Thanks for reading.

"Henry" wrote in message
m...

Should I go around the perimeter of the house
sealing the indentation with stucco patch? I need a permanent fix to
this mice problem and would appreciate any advice or similar
experiences.

Try eliminating the mice *in* the house first, then plug up the outside
toute suite, but make sure that seam is not a vent device. If it is, you
could use hardware cloth or other galv. 1/4 inch screening to patch the
holes in the edging.. Trouble with just plugging holes, you may end up with
starving, rotting mice bodies in wall cavities and elsewhere. I tend to use
traps vs poison inside, as the latter also litters hidden places with
corpses. Also, clear away obvious outside nesting areas, such as boards,
tin, rubbish, where they can find shelter. Also, check cabinets and pantry
for easily-got-at food items, and remove or re-box them. We use tin boxes
for yummy mouse food like oats and grains, cereals. Mice can live only so
long without a handy food source, but they may be using house for
breeding/nesting, and foraging outside for food.

Henry wrote:

This is a new construction house (my sister's) but the seller was the
general contractor himself (not a professional) and as you'd expect is
a pain to deal with. Should I go around the perimeter of the house
sealing the indentation with stucco patch? I need a permanent fix to
this mice problem and would appreciate any advice or similar
experiences. Thanks for reading.

Permanent solution = Cat

"Roger" wrote in message news:CUnZc.351896$%_6.220528@attbi_s01...
"Henry" wrote in message
m...

Should I go around the perimeter of the house
sealing the indentation with stucco patch? I need a permanent fix to
this mice problem and would appreciate any advice or similar
experiences.

Try eliminating the mice *in* the house first, then plug up the outside
toute suite, but make sure that seam is not a vent device. If it is, you
could use hardware cloth or other galv. 1/4 inch screening to patch the
holes in the edging.. Trouble with just plugging holes, you may end up with
starving, rotting mice bodies in wall cavities and elsewhere. I tend to use
traps vs poison inside, as the latter also litters hidden places with
corpses. Also, clear away obvious outside nesting areas, such as boards,
tin, rubbish, where they can find shelter. Also, check cabinets and pantry
for easily-got-at food items, and remove or re-box them. We use tin boxes
for yummy mouse food like oats and grains, cereals. Mice can live only so
long without a handy food source, but they may be using house for
breeding/nesting, and foraging outside for food.

Would you think that any hole found near the ground could be some kind
of vent? There is a big one near where I found a mouse entering the
house, under the overhang/indentation and in a corner. I think it
might just be shoddy construction work. I'm inclined to plug up all
of these kinds of openings that I can find that are not blatantly
designed vents. Not sure how good an idea this is, i.e. if it might
screw something else up inside the house (circulation/ventilation?).

Appreciate the advice on avoiding dead mice behind walls, etc.
Unfortunately, I have not seen a mouse or signs of mice inside since I
trapped two a while ago. I only hear them inside the walls and have
only seen them outside burrowing in while I was spraying for ants.

"Henry" wrote in message
om...

Would you think that any hole found near the ground could be some kind
of vent? There is a big one near where I found a mouse entering the
house, under the overhang/indentation and in a corner. I think it
might just be shoddy construction work. I'm inclined to plug up all
of these kinds of openings that I can find that are not blatantly
designed vents.

You might have a reputable contractor or a known building inspector look at
the holes.
If they are indeed shoddy construction, you may want to know the fix, and
whether to block them or not.