How many volts to kill a mouse?

MissMoppet · 21st March 2022, 13:51

And now for something different. We have mice living in the garage, and reading on here what damage they can do to wiring, they have to go. I've got an electronic rat killer that I've baited with chocolate, and 10 days ago we caught/killed one. Ever since the chocolate has gone along with the mouse. The device is simple. Two metal plates with a small gap between that the rodent has to cross to reach the bait. I had thought the first victim might have damaged the innards, but I'm getting a reading of nearly 2000V. So what's going wrong?

KWIL · 21st March 2022, 14:18

Perhaps the mouse saw the rat meet it's maker and decided since it is a lot smaller, decided to jump over the lethal gap!

SD1too · 21st March 2022, 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMoppet

We have mice living in the garage ... they have to go.

Hi Dave,

When I had a resident mouse I used a humane trap. I then released it in a local park.

Simon

MissMoppet · 21st March 2022, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Hi Dave,

When I had a resident mouse I used a humane trap. I then released it in a local park.

Simon

Yeah, right. That really puts me in the Putin league then. Thanks.

wraymond · 21st March 2022, 15:51

Think yourself lucky. In Scotland it might have been a moose.

another_clean_sheet · 21st March 2022, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissMoppet

And now for something different. We have mice living in the garage, and reading on here what damage they can do to wiring, they have to go. I've got an electronic rat killer that I've baited with chocolate, and 10 days ago we caught/killed one. Ever since the chocolate has gone along with the mouse. The device is simple. Two metal plates with a small gap between that the rodent has to cross to reach the bait. I had thought the first victim might have damaged the innards, but I'm getting a reading of nearly 2000V. So what's going wrong?

Being pedantic it is not the amount of volts that kills the mouse but the amount of current going through its body. Does not answer your question. Can you wet the plates so as to improve the conductivity when the mouse goes through the gap?

Jdwoodhou · 21st March 2022, 16:55

I'd say take out the batteries and use an old-fashioned trap instead. If it has enough power to kill mice repeatedly it's likely to be a danger to you too if it gets damp or malfunctions. The rule of thumb is that anything over 48 Volts is potentially lethal (though it would need a fair bit of current behind it). Sorry to be a bit paranoid!

skellum · 21st March 2022, 21:46

We have two cats (three up until a month ago

) and a resident mouse.
Mousey visits our kitchen when all is quite in the house with complete impunity. I bought a couple of humane traps, baited with Oreos and peanut butter. The smart wee NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- can take the bait, trip the trap, and still get away.
Starting to think I should give him a home and make the cats redundant

Arctic · 21st March 2022, 23:09

None if you get a cat

Borg Warner · 22nd March 2022, 08:18

We have mice in the garage and garden. We make sure they are fed and watered, they do no harm and besides they only live a short while.

Got video of them stealing the bird food and the hedgehog food too. Quiet funny to watch.

The neighbour's cat is a different proposition.

Not welcome and very actively discouraged.

We also have a sparrowhawk. Not so popular but apparently we are lucky?

Recently saw a Red Tailed Kite as well as a number of Buzzards. Wish they would discourage the cats.

21st March 2022, 15:51	#5
wraymond This is my second home 75 Auto 2.5 SE Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Westcliff on Sea Posts: 5,193 Thanks: 423 Thanked 1,680 Times in 1,014 Posts	Think yourself lucky. In Scotland it might have been a moose. __________________ member no. 235

21st March 2022, 16:55	#7
Jdwoodhou Loves to post R75 1.8 Con SE Man Saloon Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pinner Posts: 280 Thanks: 233 Thanked 68 Times in 51 Posts	I'd say take out the batteries and use an old-fashioned trap instead. If it has enough power to kill mice repeatedly it's likely to be a danger to you too if it gets damp or malfunctions. The rule of thumb is that anything over 48 Volts is potentially lethal (though it would need a fair bit of current behind it). Sorry to be a bit paranoid! __________________ 140,000 miles and still going strong!

21st March 2022, 23:09	#9
Arctic Give to Learn Freelander 2 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 18,712 Thanks: 1,155 Thanked 6,407 Times in 3,874 Posts	None if you get a cat __________________ Arctic Givology Learn to Give Everything is Achievable ad altiora tendo. Check out our Nano meet dates http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/index.php?thepage=howto " You do the work , we supply the expertise "

21st March 2022, 14:18	#2
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	Perhaps the mouse saw the rat meet it's maker and decided since it is a lot smaller, decided to jump over the lethal gap!

21st March 2022, 21:46	#8
skellum Avid contributor MG ZT Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Stornoway Posts: 115 Thanks: 17 Thanked 41 Times in 27 Posts	We have two cats (three up until a month ago ) and a resident mouse. Mousey visits our kitchen when all is quite in the house with complete impunity. I bought a couple of humane traps, baited with Oreos and peanut butter. The smart wee NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- can take the bait, trip the trap, and still get away. Starting to think I should give him a home and make the cats redundant

22nd March 2022, 08:18	#10
Borg Warner I really should get out more....... None Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Suffolk Posts: 2,579 Thanks: 494 Thanked 657 Times in 402 Posts	We have mice in the garage and garden. We make sure they are fed and watered, they do no harm and besides they only live a short while. Got video of them stealing the bird food and the hedgehog food too. Quiet funny to watch. The neighbour's cat is a different proposition. Not welcome and very actively discouraged. We also have a sparrowhawk. Not so popular but apparently we are lucky? Recently saw a Red Tailed Kite as well as a number of Buzzards. Wish they would discourage the cats.