It’s been awhile since I’ve seen the mouse. Wait…I’m not sure I’ve blogged about the new mouse. There’s the old house mouse which I think left politely just like I asked him to.But now we have a new mouse. This one is black, smaller and smarter. None of our trapping devices have seemed to attract him. I was sitting on my couch today, eating my lunch and staring into the kitchen thinking about how I haven’t seen the mouse in about three weeks. Just then, I saw the little devil run behind the refrigerator – maybe from the bathroom, or for an even more horrifying thought: the pantry.
The last mouse sighting was like I said, a few weeks ago. I always see him when I’m sitting on the couch. It was a Friday night when I saw him run behind the television. My reaction was an audible gasp. The air lingered in my throat for about ten seconds. I was frozen, not knowing what to do. I forgot about him as distractions such as phone calls, and visitors led my mind to other concerns. But then an hour later, I saw him again. He ran his same route: from the kitchen along the north wall and behind the television. Only this time he turned the corner, took one look at the mousetrap, did a 180 and then headed back into the kitchen. Clever little bugger.
And then, about twenty minutes later, he came back, only this time he stopped at the trap, stepped toward it ever so slowly, and sniffed around. At this point, I think a quiet, but steady squeal was escaping through the fingers covering my mouth. Should I walk up to him? Should I yell and scare him? Should I take a picture?
As soon as he ran away I headed for the kitchen. He seemed interested in the snap trap, so I decided to put some bait in there. I put some cheese in one and some peanut butter in the other and placed them along his favorite walls.
The next morning I woke up and headed to the traps like a kid heads to their stocking on Christmas morning. Only I was 50% excited and 50% horrified at what I might find.
This is what I found: an empty mousetrap. Not only was there no mouse in there, the peanut butter was gone. I checked the other one to find the cheese was gone. This is no trap; this is a bloody mouse feeder! I just sustained our mouse for who knows how long. For some reason, the fact that the traps were empty before I put new bait in there didn’t even cross my mind the night before. Maria had peanut butter in all of those. This mouse has been licking peanut butter for weeks. I think he’s settled in.Maybe the kitty at my parents’ house needs to come visit me for a few days. He can sniff out mice in no time.
9 comments:
No- the kitty should not visit. Carri would have to move out too, and I don't think you want that. How do you know this isn't the same mouse? I don't like the idea of multiple mice running around, even though I'm sure that is the reality.
At least you checked to see if the food had been eaten. I've gone for weeks just glancing at a trap, noticing it hasn't been sprung, and leaving it for another day. After about 3 weeks I decided to remove it (since I'd OBVIOUSLY killed all the mice) and it was THEN I noticed the food had been eaten. Then I'd just wonder how long the food had been gone.
Anyway. You're smarter than me. That's not saying much, though... cause so are the mice.
I meant to mention the other night that those traps are notorious for being too rigid. If you get the more conventional kind, might I suggest peanut butter wrapped a couple times with string? Back on the farm, we always had better luck with it over cheese.
Just be happy you don't have rats...
So where I grew up we had mice all the time because we had ivy on the outside of our house, so I got really good and seeing mice dash across the floor even if it was just their shadow. So anyways in past years I have had many problems with mouse traps and since I don't necessarily want to see mouse guts I now use Decon. The downside is that they could die between the walls of your house and you would never know they were rotting there. I just try not to think about it!
Bring the cat or whatever is needed. I don't like you living with mice. It gives me the heebie jeebies.
Or get an exterminator or try that Saule's idea. I don't know about the decon stuff because one time at home we had a mouse decompose in a wall and it STUNK. Nasty.
Maybe if you ask him politely, he too will leave. This mouse seems to be a bit smarter and maybe you can reason with him better. Or maybe the joke's on you as you feed his addiction to peanut butter.
Polo
I catch at least 10 mice a year. You need to use "glue traps" they are awesome... sure you have to face the always alive stlightly tortured little beast as you throw him in the trash can. I always try to avoid eye contact, and make sure that the garbeg is covered so a stray cat doesn't get his face stuck in the glue.
Oh dear, oh dear.
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