Tonight the power on my side of the street went for some reason so it was flashlight time (and I have to say those little battery operated puck lights I put under my kitchen cabinets came in really handy while I was trying to find the flashlight and candles). Anyway during the whole 20 minutes or so the lights were out Eb had to go outside so the flashlight and I waited inside while she went.
Now I understand why they use their flashlights all the time on CSI even when they could turn on the lights. While moving it around I found a dead body. A mouse and given the mousing knowledge I have been unfortunate enough to gain, a relatively recently departed one. Just when I was feeling reasonably safe again (they don't miss a chance I tell you. The screen the exterminator had me put on the bottom of the door last year fell off for a whole day last week and the little opportunist didn't miss a beat I guess). It was in an area where a shadow falls when the overhead light is on so I didn't notice it before. I had noticed one of the baits vanished but had hoped not to see the reason why. I don't know how long it would have taken to see it without that flashlight.
I've should leave the poison container nearby so maybe the little smartasses will read that they are supposed to go die outside or somewhere never to be found again because these ones around here don't seem to get that and I hate dealing with getting rid of them.
Anyway, I'm not going to be sleeping again for at least a few days I guess. One ear open all the time and I guess I'll be taking my flashlight into the basement and some other places to see if there are other invaders around. Stupid rodents. I've never had a house they like the way they do this one and it's getting to be a bit much.
Guess I'll stay on porno patrol for a while to entertain myself.
Comment Guidelines
We welcome your feedback on Houseandhome.com. H&H reserves the right to remove any unsuitable personal remarks made about the bloggers, hosts, homeowners and/or guests we feature. Please keep your comments focused on decorating, design, cooking and other lifestyle topics. Adopt a tone you would be willing to use in person and do not make slanderous remarks or use denigrating language. If you see a comment that you believe violates any of the guidelines outlined above, please click “Alert a Moderator.” Thank you.
Thanks for the link. That is a good thing to know and I will have to see what is or isn't there with my cupboards.
SamKing I tried the drier sheets peppermint thing and it didn't have any effect. I had the exterminators here and other than my electronic trap, their bait is all that has worked (and them helping me find the entry points). I don't know what else I can do to stop the little creeps from coming in as they are determined to be in this house. Maybe I should just string up the dead bodies outside as a warning to them but I doubt even that would stop them.
Meanwhile, check my latest installment of what having these mice intruders has meant in the pets forum. at the moment I am ready to set a match the house and walk away I've so had it with them.
Here's a link to the page that has a picture and a bit of the homeowner's advice. I don't know if you've already checked this spot in any cabinets, but it sounds like a good idea. Even on that TV show (millionaire who flies his own helicopter and buys mega homes to reno/flip with assistant Ginger) there was an episode where beneath the cabinets was a place they found nests.
[url]http://www.enonhall.com/html/journal1107.html[/url]
(it's in the lower part of the page)
Buy some 100% true pure natural peppermint oil from the health section.
and take a downy fabric softener sheet and pour the peppermint oil on the fabric softener sheet. Put it where you have seen the little rice shaped black poop or where the mouse frequents.
It seems mice really hate both smells. Worth a try. As a bonus, your area will smell somewhat fragrant.
Did you ever take a mirror to inspect the underside of the toe-kick area of you cabinets in the kitchen and barhroom like the owner described on the pages of the Enon Hall House diary? It's probably a good idea if you haven't done it already. I sympathize-it's really enough already with these mice!
So what did they find under those toe-kicks (she says almost afraid to ask)? Truth be told I have had nothing in my lower cabinets since the first mouse when I first moved in. It just creeps me outeven though having a kitchen as small as mine means giving up a lot of storage. I have baits in them that I check regularly and so far, nothing has hit those cupboards since the first year when I know they were in there (there are pipe and wiring holes they get through from the basement into those cupboards).
As for a cat... even though I'm not a cat person it's crossed my mind, rightup there with buying some coyote urine to spread around outside the foundation (not sure how the dog would take to having those markings around though) or just getting this place up to speed and selling it or paving the whole yard so there is no incentive for them to cross it to the house. This has been an ongoing issue every fall since I first bought it 2.5 years ago and I am sick of it.
the real problem is they seem to be using my back door. Every other hole or access point has been blocked but I use that door and unless I can find a way to make an attractive permanent barricade on it I'm stuck with the stiff screen I have attached with magnets to the bottom. That has worked when it stays attached properly but like I mentioned, it fell off last week for a bit, and bang they were in. Funny thing is I have yet to ever see one outside or in my garage. At the other houses I've had (including when I lived a few houses down I always saw some outside but they stayed there.
The good news is the new baits I through down in my back porch last night haven't been touched so far so maybe the little stiff I caught yesterday is it. Fingers crossed.
I have a cat.
I have a cat door.
I have a cat that brings home mice through the cat door to the upstairs bedroom !
:eek:
As someone who shared a house with mice, I'll say it too.....STUPID MICE!
Did you ever take a mirror to inspect the underside of the toe-kick area of you cabinets in the kitchen and barhroom like the owner described on the pages of the Enon Hall House diary? It's probably a good idea if you haven't done it already. I sympathize-it's really enough already with these mice!
Yes cats do the job....in our last 2 houses we had a cat(NO MICE)...when he died we didn't get another one......We have had mice in this house the last few yrs.(there is a field behind us....hopefully with the new garage door & extra caulking done that will help.
DBD have you tried the pail of water with the peanut butter around the edge........IT WORKS,,,we have caught up to 3 mice at one time with it;)
Geez DBD...seems like a reoccuring theme for you. I can't remember if we've discussed the cat option before?? Cause...lemme tell ya....we lived in the middle of NOWHERE in Newfoundland....and I NEVER found a mouse in the house. Cats are a wonderful mouse repellant.