Drier Sheets VS Mice

[Mark42]

I saw that some people posted that drier sheets, specifically Bounce brand sheets, work well to eliminate mice. I know that moth balls do a great job of eliminating mice because moth balls are toxic and cause ulcers in the nose and lungs and eventually death to small animals. The toxic and rodent repelling qualities of moth balls are well documented on the net.

So I decided to check out the dryer sheet claims. I found lots of people that claim drier sheets keep mice out of their campers, but I didn't find any "offical" information or studies or toxicity reports on Bounce drier sheets like I was able to find on moth balls.

Even Snopes has an entry for Bounce claims, but they don't address the mice issue. They do debunk that Bounce repels insects.

So whats the real story? Are the Bounce mice claims just free advertising, or does it really work?

I did find this article interesting and funny: "http://ezinearticles.com/?Beyond-the-Dryer:-The-Truth-About-Bounce&id=330955"

And here is the Snopes entry: "http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/bounce.asp"

 

[njlarry]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

How long would mothballs last? I use decon.

 

[Esox]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

I've never used them but I just can't see how they would repel mice. My guess is they would use the dryer sheets as bedding to make a nest in your boat. I also wouldn't want to use poison as they may die in the bilge and make for a stinky boat come spring.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

I know that moth balls do a great job of eliminating mice because moth balls are toxic and cause ulcers in the nose and lungs and eventually death to small animals.

Is this personal experience?

I can tell you from personal experience that mothballs did nothing to discourage mice that set up camp in a Corvette I had stored. Two full boxes worth of mothballs no less. Scattered about on newspaper in the footwells and rear deck area. The mice destroyed the interior with urine and feces. I suspect they actually like the smell based on their numbers and the apparent partyville they had set up for themselves. When I opened up the car, I was met with a blast to the face of equal parts mouse urine and mothballs so they hadn't diminished one iota in their aromatic strength. I have to laugh when people say how great mothballs work...

 

[amynbill]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

I have used dryer sheets in the tractors and other equipment I have stored in the shed and garage. I have had mice in the past before that get into the engine of the bigger tractor during the winters and nest up, same with other power equipment. They get in and I end up taking covers off to get to the nest and get them out.

Since I started using the dryer sheets, its been 3 winters without mice.

Could be coincidence, or it could be working.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

Is this personal experience?

I can tell you from personal experience that mothballs did nothing to discourage mice that set up camp in a Corvette I had stored. Two full boxes worth of mothballs no less. Scattered about on newspaper in the footwells and rear deck area. The mice destroyed the interior with urine and feces. I suspect they actually like the smell based on their numbers and the apparent partyville they had set up for themselves. When I opened up the car, I was met with a blast to the face of equal parts mouse urine and mothballs so they hadn't diminished one iota in their aromatic strength. I have to laugh when people say how great mothballs work...

Were they the "good old fashioned" moth balls made from Naphthalele or the new safe moth balls. The Naphthalene moth balls are toxic and deadly to small animals. Just do a search on the net for a toxicity report on moth balls.

I'll let you know how well they worked in keeping out squirrels and mice from my boat stored outside under a tarp come this spring.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

How long would mothballs last? I use decon.

I don't know how long they last, but the Naphthalele should take years to fully flash off. I have not heard about moth balls used to control mice and rodents before, so I did some research on the net and found a lot of tech information that supports their effectiveness in controlling rodents (mice, rats, bats and squirrels. So I decided to give it a try this winter.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

I found this stuff at the local implement dealer called "Fresh Cab". It's made by Crane Creek Gardens. cranecreekgardens.com It is suppose to keep out mice and it's environmental friendly. The dealer says it works. But, I have no idea. It sure stinks, but, it's not a bad smell.

I'm not worried about mice anyway. I live on a farm site and I have 3 cats. Now, many people will tell you cats do no good. That's true if you Over Feed your cats! Cats take advantage of there environment. If you feed them a lot they will sleep all day and get fat and lazy like Garefield(sp). Why not? If I won the lottery I would do the same thing. But, if you feed your cats the right amount then they are not so lazy and go looking for things to do. Like,, oh say,, catching mice. Cats are the best answer for mice control if you have the place to do that. But, you have to train them right and not over feed them!!! I'm not suggesting starving them or nothing. Just keep them a little hungry. I give mine a handful of cat food twice a day. And, of course fresh water. They stick around and keep mice away. Sometimes they do get under foot but after you step on them a few times and after you flip them by getting your tow under the belly and watch them fly. Then they learn to stay out of your way. They are trainable you just have to know how.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

Yep, the original mothballs. You can tell easily between them by the smell. Even if they did cause those type of physical problems, I bet it doesn't have an immediate effect. So, they're free to romp about for some time, doing all sorts of damage creating nests and so on.

I actually sold that car (at a huge loss) and the guy who bought it called to say there were mice still coming and going from it at his house. I told him there was no extra charge for the livestock Seriously though, he knew about the problem before we sealed the deal.

Now I use traps. If you start early, you get the fall mice and that's the end of it. If you let it go, they start breeding...

 

[superflydudebike]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

I personally neuter and then release all the mice on my property. The sad thing is that none of them survive the process.

 

[gstanton]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

That reminds me... I need to set the traps!

 

[electricjohn]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

Last winter I forgot to put the sheets in my fold down camper, and guess what. I have been using them for about 15 years, originally for ants, and have never had mice in the camper except for last year. I set traps in my boat tent next to the camper and get many mice through out the winter. So I know there are mice in the area. You always catch them in pairs, then it will be quiet for a few days, then another pair, and so on.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

This week with all the snow, I went out to check on the boats and make sure the tarps did not collapse. When I got near the boats, the whole area smells like moth balls! LOL! I also noticed all the deer prints in the snow, but none came near the boats! And there are lots of spruce by the boats they like to nibble on when things get cold and snow covered.

I never had a problem with deer damaging my boats, but I can tell you they are staying away from those moth balls! Hope the same holds true for mice and other small rodents.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

We have owls and rat snakes. Environmentally safe and no leftovers to stink.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

We have had a large increase in mouse problems ever since Hurricane Katrina. I never used to see them and now, we battle them several times a year. I use glue traps - its not the most humane way to deal with them but the traps work very well.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

I tossed about 10 dryer sheets into my boat before I put the cover on for the winter.

So about a month ago I pulled the cover off to remove my new speakers for the winter and put screening over the holes so rodents or squirrels wouldn't make a home in my lockers over the winter.

What I found was that the dryer sheets attracted moisture and they all turned brown and were now stuck to the deck. I had to peel them off and scrub the deck down with a brush and water to remove the residue.

Needless to say . . . I'm done with using dryer sheets

 

[ddennis]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

Didnt think about them attracting moisture...will have to uncover for sure now this weekend and put them on paper plates or something....

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

First time I here someone saying they turn brown and stick. My fathers has been doing that for the last 10 years (before it was with moth balls) and no problem for him.

Perhaps if you get water in the boat during storage?

 

[Expidia]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

Yes, water and moisture did get into the boat! The cover welled up in a couple of places and water drips in when that happens.

Putting them on a paper plate is a great idea . . . see how an exchange of ideas can help us. I never would have thought of a simple solution of putting them on paper plate.

They were not the Bounce brand either, but after that scrubbing off experience I was not about to try it again. I'll pick up the bounce brand and try it again on the plates!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Drier Sheets VS Mice

So I stored both boats with a good dose of mothballs last fall. This spring the Bayliner had somehow managed to get a bird under the cover, who died without making much mess. Just a few droppings on the seats and no signs of mice or other rodent nests.

The MFG does not show signs of mice or other rodents.

So I guess it works. I did notice it took about a week for the mothball smell to leave the Bayliner while it sat uncovered and cleaned up in the attached garage. For the first few days the house smelled of mothballs.

I'm happy with the results. I'll probably use mothballs again this fall.