Scientific research indicates that dogs by themselves are not a foolproof solution to mouse
Researchers found that mice activity decreased in the presence of any household pets (e.g., dogs, cats). That said, there was a difference in mouse activity in the presence of only dogs – more mice returned after dogs had been present.
Dogs can smell some odours from a considerable distance, which is why some breeds of dogs are so effective at hunting and tracking. It shouldn't come as a surprise then to learn that dogs will regularly detect mice infestations in their homes long before their owners become aware of any problems.
Start off with traps.
Once they go inside, a door closes to keep them in there. These traps are too small for any size dog and it means that you don't have to touch the mice. Then you can set them free outdoors — just make sure it isn't anywhere near your house, in case they decide to re-enter.
The best animals to target problem rodents include: Cats: Cats traditionally hunt mice. Some cats enjoy hunting and will also chase houseflies and other smaller animals and insects in the home. Dogs: People have used certain dog breeds for pest control for hundreds of years.
As it turns out, there are several smells that these pests cannot stand, which means you can use them to your advantage. But what exactly do mice and rats hate to smell? Mice can be kept away by using the smells of peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella, ammonia, bleach, and mothballs.
Cats and dogs can become infected with Roundworm by eating mice or rats infected with Roundworm larvae. Roundworms are a common intestinal parasitic worm found in young dogs and cats. These worms feed upon the contents of the intestines and therefore compete for nutrients a dog or cat would normally ingest.
Mice have a very sensitive sense of smell, and if they sense the smell of a predator, they are much more likely to avoid the area. However, mice do not seem to be afraid of dog smells or their fur.
Dogs are territorial, loyal, and have an incredibly good sense of smell, all traits that make them great for ridding your house of pesky mice. While most dogs will probably react in some manner to a mouse infestation, there are specific breeds that are better mousers than others.
However, rodents carry other diseases that could infect your dog. What diseases can dogs catch from rats and mice? The two most common are leptospirosis and rat-bite fever. Dogs can contract this bacterial infection from several sources.
In fact, your dog's ears can hear frequencies of about 40-60,000 Hz, and, to put that in perspective, humans can only hear somewhere between 20 and 20,000 Hz. So, it's safe to say your dog has supersonic hearing - AKA, you better believe they can hear little mice feet scurrying around your house.
Wired for Prey
Wolves, dogs' ancestors, prey on small rodents such as mice, so the ability to hear the tiny animals' squeaks is important for survival. Humans, who evolved to cooperate with other humans, have ears that are tuned to the pitch of the human voice.
If you have mice, rats, or even squirrels or some other animals, living, say, under your porch or in your garage, your dog will sense them keenly, through their scent. And barking at these intruders into his territory is in his nature.
Many people have this misconceived notion that mice will simply leave their home after a while on their own; this couldn't be further from the truth as they are known to get very comfortable in areas they inhabit.
Having pets makes no difference. Rats are not deterred by cats or dogs.”
They carry fleas and other parasites, posing as a threat to humans and their pets. Mice and rats are more afraid of humans than humans are of them so they try to stay hidden and in their own habitat. Sometimes, they enter our home because they smell food or because there is a point of entry they can access.
It is a combination of the dog's great sense of smell and excellent sense of hearing that enables it to pick up on rat activity. If your dog detects rats in the vicinity, it may keep running back and forth to a particular spot. Alternatively, it may go to a particular spot and then be rooted there for quite some time.
Pet Door
But even the smallest pet doors made for little pets can allow access to rodents. If you have a cat who is a good hunter, you may even have still-living rodents delivered right to your pet door. If you find yourself with a rodent problem, it could be due to your pet door.
Rodents Can Come Crawling
Not only does dog poop in your yard affect your lawn and your health, but it brings unwanted rodents to your property. Yes, rats and mice eat your dog's poop. According to Chewy, dog poop is a primary food source for rats and mice.
Both rats and mice are good climbers and can climb vertical walls and "shimmy" up between walls and drain pipes. Rats are also excellent swimmers and have been known to enter premises through the water traps of the toilet bowl when infestations occur in the main sewerage system.
Cats can be good for controlling mice, but they're opportunistic predators that may or may not be mousers. Many cats take up a laissez faire attitude toward the presence of mice, especially as they age. Dogs, on the other hand, can be just as fierce as cats toward mice.
Mice won't disappear by themselves
Unless you change your habits to deprive mice of their food, wipe out the existing population and proof your property to stop them coming back, you'll always be sharing your home with disease-spreading, food-stealing mice.
Ultrasonic devices with a sound frequency of 10,000 Hz are most effective at keeping mice away.
Peppermint Oil
This stuff smells great in small amounts, but it can be potent when concentrated. Peppermint oil is among the smells that mice hate the most, and it's often used to keep them out of areas around homes. You can buy your own, soak cotton balls with the oil, and place it in trouble spots.
According to studies, dogs are able to hear high-frequency sounds that are up to 45-67 KHz and we already know that they have excellent hearing. With this in mind, your pooch may be able to hear the ultrasonic high-frequency sound that comes from your mouse repellent device.