Do Instant Mashed Potatoes Kill Mice? Safe, Cheap, and Crazy Effective!
Did you ever hear of using mashed potatoes to get rid of mice? It doesn’t make sense, but some people think that it does. Homeowners always seek the simplest means of controlling mice without toxic chemicals.
One popular tip is using instant mashed potatoes for mouse control. But do instant mashed potatoes kill mice? The short answer is yes, in most cases. Let’s discover how this technique works and how you can apply it at home safely.
Do Instant Mashed Potatoes Kill Mice? Fact or Myth?
Using mashed potatoes to fight mice nearly sounds too good to be true. Just think about eliminating mice with something you already have in your kitchen. Here’s how it works. Mice get attracted to a few foods, including mashed potatoes.
When they discover flakes of instant mashed potatoes as a mouse killer, they will consume them. In their little bodies, the flakes soak up liquid and swell. Mice do not have the ability to vomit, so their stomachs become over-full and bring about fatal issues.
This is a safe method around children and animals since it does not entail lethal poisons. It is also simple to use and extremely cheap. Furthermore, you do not need to deal with traps or dead mice directly.
Easy Ways to Use Mashed Potatoes to Kill Mice
1. Find the affected areas
First, you have to know where the mice are. Check for signs of mouse infestation such as droppings, chewed objects, or little holes. These signs indicate where the mice tend to stay. Use these locations when using mashed potatoes to fight mice.
2. Place it
After you locate where the mice are, pour dry flakes of instant mashed potatoes for mouse control there. You should not cook or prepare potatoes. They should be dry in order to be effective. Dry flakes are palatable to mice and will swell later when they consume water.
3. Also find water source
Mice require water to live, as we do. Once they have consumed the dry flakes, mice will seek water. When mice drink water, it causes the flakes within them to swell quicker. This is what kills mice using instant potatoes.
4. Repeat if needed
Monitor where you scatter the flakes. If you still notice mouse signs, sprinkle additional dry flakes. The food may take longer for some mice to locate. Renew the mashed potatoes daily until the mice stop infesting them.
Things to Consider
It is not an only solution
Although mashed potatoes to repel mice can be useful, it shouldn’t be the sole method you use to deal with mice. It is simply one aspect of a complete solution.
In order to truly eliminate mice, you will need to close off their entry areas, clean frequently, and sometimes seek professional assistance if the infestation is large.
Sanitation is a must
Keeping your house clean is extremely crucial. Mice adore areas with simple food and hiding places. Keep all food in sealed containers. Sweep crumbs and never leave food out at night.
A clean house makes it more difficult for mice to survive, regardless of whether you are using instant mashed potatoes for mouse control or other ways.
Humane concerns
Some individuals believe that it is cruel to make mice suffer from stomach issues. If you are uncomfortable using instant potatoes to poison mice, you may consider using live traps instead.
If you want to know how to repel mice naturally, there are numerous humane traps that trap mice safely without injuring them. You can release the mice a long distance from your home afterwards.
Other Effective Remedies to Eliminate Mice
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another kitchen item that can kill mice safely. It works a lot like mashed potatoes kills mice by causing gas in their stomachs. Mice cannot pass gas, so the pressure builds up inside and leads to death.
To use baking soda, mix it with something mice love to eat, like peanut butter. Roll small balls of the mix and leave them where mice travel. You can also use cocoa powder if you don’t have peanut butter. Always keep the bait in places pets and kids cannot reach.
Artificial Sweetener and Peanut Butter
Another cheap trick is mixing artificial sweetener with peanut butter. Mice love the smell and taste of peanut butter. Artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, are deadly for mice.
Just mix two packets of artificial sweetener into some peanut butter. Roll small balls and put them near mouse activity. Be sure no one in the house is allergic to peanuts before trying this method. This mixture is very tempting to mice and can solve small infestations.
Cement Mix
If you have no pets or small kids at home, you can try using cement mix. Dry cement, when eaten, hardens inside the mouse’s stomach and can kill them. Since dry cement does not smell good, mix it with peanut butter to make it appealing.
You can even sprinkle a little artificial sweetener to attract them faster. Be very careful where you place this mixture because it can also harm pets and children.
Vitamin D Tablets
Crushed vitamin D tablets can also kill mice but work more slowly. After eating a high dose, calcium builds up in their hearts and kills them. Crush about three vitamin D tablets and mix them with peanut butter.
Form small balls and place them where you see mouse activity. Keep these bait balls away from children and pets.
FAQs
How long does it take for instant mashed potatoes to kill mice?
Usually, it takes a day or two after the mouse eats the dry flakes and drinks water for them to die.
Are instant mashed potatoes safe for pets if left out for mice?
While instant mashed potatoes for mouse control are safer than poison, pets should still not eat them in large amounts. Always place flakes out of pets’ reach.
What if the mashed potatoes method doesn’t work?
If you still see mice after a few days, you may need to try other traps or call a pest control expert to fix the problem.
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