Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2018/07/17/mice-can-get-into-amazingly-ti.html
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The general rule of thumb for mice (and house cats, for that matter) is that whatever hole they can fit their head through, they can fit the rest of their body in as well. Mammals that adapted for living underground* are also adapted for variable shoulder width, extremely flexible spines and rib cages that can compress.
*or hunting their prey through nooks and crannies, for that matter
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Steel wool and some chalk did the trick for me years ago when I lived in an old house - mostly around where the heating pipes came through the floor. We just used regular steel wool - apparently there’s specialized types now:
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Snake poop keeps them out. Put some near the holes and those little furry guys will NOT come back.
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It’s all the peanut oil. Makes 'em nice and slippery.
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A few observations. I figured just put so much food in the trap so when the mouse eats it all he will be too fat to get out. Then he would starve to death. Ha! Then I see he is shitting along the way, so that won’t work. Tricky little bastards. If the entryway is made of wood, eventually he’ll gnaw his way to a bigger hole, so he’s got that covered. They think of everything. Third, he doesn’t want to run into that shrew, the shrew will eat him. Yes, you’re fucked.
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I have a friend who can take care of that mouse problem, but I have to assume you like cats even less than mice. May God have mercy on your soul.
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I don’t know about trapping and releasing mice, unless they’re a native species perhaps. But if something comes into my living space its going to end up dead.
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The rule of thumb I was taught, is that if a dime can fit through it, a mouse can fit through it. Mice are an annoyingly good incentive to keep your dwelling well caulked.
A rule I came up with myself (due to living in an 18th or 19th century factory converted to a house, which was well infested with mice when I bought it) is that anything a mouse can fit under or into should also be big enough for a cat. This rule determines things like the height of bookcase legs, and so forth.
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“No more food in this hole? Better poop.”
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Missed opportunity for pooping sounds.
Also the depth of the hole is an issue , use thinner lumber like 1/2" or even 1/8" plywood , I bet you would see them using the smaller holes.
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“Mice can get into amazingly tight spaces”
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Skunks, too.
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Well, that stinks.
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Why do I find that pic of the mouse butt so funny? The pink feet, the braced legs? It’s like a screenshot from a Tom & Jerry cartoon, right before a ‘BLAM!’ pic.
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"I’ve trapped and tossed six of the furry little bastards out on their asses. "
If you don’t kill them after catching them, you’re just wasting your time. Buy the “mouse hotel” traps that are fully enclosed so you don’t see the dead vermin if your’e squeamish.
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Thanks for the warning!
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Still applies to uninvited people 
finger guns
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We’ve seen this here before.
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I shudder to think where you get that…I’d have to give steel wool a try first.
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