There's a mouse in our kitchen, right behind the dish drainer. I don't mind mice, really, but I don't like their poop on the counter. I don't think they should be in the house. We don't allow animals other than our selves in the house. Oh, Valerie's cat can go in her room and the airlock, but that's on the far side of the building. That cat might be able to catch this mouse, if circumstances were right.
I'm pretty happy these days with my own circumstances. The weather's been warm, the food's been good, my boys are happy and healthy and I'm getting out of the labor hole pretty easily. Soon we'll have Validation Day, and I've been busy signing cards. Last night, someone in my dreams was telling me I wasn't writing enough specifics in them. I'm at least indicating positive feelings, though.
I've found that I must sometimes consciously maintain positive feelings towards certain people and circumstances, otherwise the negative will collect in a pile and bury me. I hate that when that happens, ack! So, I've started labeling complaining, as in "can I complain?" when I'm talking out loud, or watching when I'm feeling complainy. It works pretty well, because there's usually something I can do to remedy the situation, or at least fantasize about remedying it.
Can I complain about the mouse? I'm feeling less positive towards this mouse and its family. Its presence is an insult to our housekeeping. I could get over it by thinking happy thoughts about how cute it is (it's not), or I can ask Keenan to set a trap. I tried to set it yesterday and nearly snapped off my finger, so it's time to ask for help.
How can I be setting traps in a "non-violent community" you might be thinking. Come here to my house, then, and catch this mouse. Or think back on what you do with mice in your house. Or mosquitos. Or flies. Or spiders. Or, if you're not into killing things, then think back on who does the killing in your house and how it's done. Personally, I wish we had a mousecatching cat.
okey dokey artichokey,
Kelpie
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3 comments:
There are "no kill" traps on the farm. There's one at Tupe. Ethan caught a bunch of mice in his room and took them to the other side of the creek to let them go.
Also, i don't think mice inside is an insult to housekeeping - we live in the country, they just come inside.
We initially got Jack to catch mice, but then the allergy question came up and we had to confine him to the north wing, so there are still mice in the kitchen.
My concern is about salmonella in their poop, and the proximity to our food, but maybe that's an overreaction. Our dishtowells and wipe-up rags are used for everthing, seems like.
Thanks for the suggestion -- it's possible there's another no kill trap we could use, or maybe House can buy us one.
Mice are notorious for finding their way back home, and I wouldn't be surprised if Ethan's came back inside, if they were able to dodge predators.
I wish we could housetrain them. They could have a litter box where babies couldn't reach... somewhere.
Sharon and I use "no kill" traps with some degree of success. You may find though that some brands/types work better than others, and when all else fails change the bait (sunflower seeds work well).
Of course if all else fails, you could also get a snake and feed the mice to the snake. Then it's kind of a "circle of life" thing... I know some people with really old drafty homes that actually have resident black snakes. They see them rarely, but find the shedded skins every once in a while.
Speaking of which, one time I went into our basement and saw that the mice had gotten into the birdseed. As I walked over to the bag, cursing the mice, I noticed a juvunile black rat snake perched right on top of the birdseed bag...
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