Mouse Tours
I live in a beautiful log cabin that is nestled in the beautiful green mountains of Vermont. A lovely brook flows past my house, creating a very peaceful atmosphere. I am very content living in the middle of nowhere. The solitude, serenity and peace of mind it creates suit me quite well. But of course living in the country means learning to live with those wonderful four legged creatures known as mice. They are not my favorite thing and do not bring me any serenity or peace of mind whatsoever. Still, one must learn to accept the free gifts that their environment provides, so I do my best.
When I first moved here, I tried those we-love-mice-so-we-won’t-kill-them-just-move-them, mousetraps. That whole process was pointless and obnoxious. I would find a mouse in the trap, pile him in the car, and relocate him down the street. Done, right? Wrong. Less than two hours later, he or his wife or whatever is back in the trap again. He probably beat me home.
They probably consider it their own Adventure Bound reality TV series for mice.
“Hey guess what? Go into that little box and eat the food. You’ll get trapped in there, and pretty soon you’re in the middle of nowhere. The object of the game is to find your way back to the cabin and get into that box again before the mean lady gets back. Then when she finds you there she flips out and does it again. It’s way fun!”
That’s probably what they’re thinking.
I tried decon and that is an even worse idea because they die in the walls and stink forever and ever and ever. Awful rotting corpse smells that even the best air freshener can’t hide.
The sticky traps are just too cruel for me. I couldn’t do that to any animal.
So, I use the old fashioned traps. They are normally very quick and painless for the mouse. Put a little peanut butter on that puppy, and whamo! Done. Throw it out. Put more peanut butter on it and you are ready to go for another round. I’m sorry if I’m offending some of you, but it’s them or me. They are way too destructive. Mice in the house leads to nests, mealy worms, carpenter bees, carpenter ants, woodpeckers and other critters and diseases too numerous to mention. Not worth it.
Well, very early this morning I found a mouse in a trap but he was still alive. I did feel bad for him. I put my coat, boots, hat and gloves on over my jammies and headed out the door to throw him over the bank. I threw him overboard, said a prayer for him and went back in.
I put some new peanut butter on the trap and was getting ready to take it down to the basement again when I found something crawling on my neck.
“What the heck is that?” I yelled as I danced around in horror and fright.
Immediately the coat, gloves, hat and pajama top go flying. There is the mouse sitting on the floor. I had thrown him down my own back instead of over the bank. Good one. I was very grossed out. I then felt compassion for my poor injured friend.
“I’m sorry honey, I don’t mean to be cruel and I’m sorry it has to be this way but you can’t be in my house. That’s the way it is. Live outside and things will go fine.” I then picked him up in a rag and made sure he went over the bank this time.
Okay so I never was good at sports. I can’t really throw anything. Obviously. Maybe that was my punishment for injuring him. Hopefully he won’t come back and visit me in my sleep.
That was a wonderful piece. I’m glad the last little fellow was spared; I will be chuckling aloud over ” and whamo! Done.” (So nice to “hear” the word whamo) and “”Then when she finds you there she flips out and does it again. It’s way fun!”” for some time.
Thanks Peter, glad you liked it. Not sure how to spell whamo.
Thank you for your kind words. I think I write better when it comes from the heart and I feel like I’m talking to someone.
In the Light,
Juliet
If he visits you in your sleep gently remove him again ( in your sleep – do not wake up!)
I am sure you can conjure up a length of Velcro that catches the mouse, and a frying plan with a lid attached with a hinge so it closes down over the mouse so it can’t escape. You gracefully wave it out into your woods – no doors or cold weather in your dream – into the creek below as if extending your bow hand and add a thought of acceptance of the basic conflicts of life….
then on to sweet dreams!
Hi Jane,
I was a little jumpy all day yesterday every time I thought I felt something on my back. He hasn’t been in my dreams yet, but when he is I will try this, thanks. So good to be in touch with you again. I hope your Thanksgiving was as nice as it could be.
Hugs and Light,
Juliet
That’s hilarious. Laughed out loud.
Thanks Sherrie! Have you run into any of these precious creatures in your new place? Hope not but if you are in the middle of nowhere it is likely!
In the Light,
Juliet
Not yet, but I’m grateful to be forewarned. :^)
Okay – so I can say this year I’m getting some exposure to the problem. Cat has been peering like a hawk at the bottom of the stove…. I put out traps + peanut butter. Tonight a trap snapped while I was still up. I could hear the thing squeak a few times afterwards. Ugh. I really hate that. I don’t know if it’s alive or not and don’t want to look…. My cat went from being excited to looking somber, but is still keeping watch over the stove. I know they have to go but I really hate to deal with getting rid of them. Anyway, this all reminded me of your blog so I came back to read it!
I know, I hate dealing with it too, but they are just so destructive. I hate hearing the snap too. Old fashioned traps and pb are still the best thing though! If you can find where they are getting in, plug it up with steal wool and “Great Stuff.” Beware however, Great stuff goes everywhere and is hard to control. My mice problems have been HORRIBLE this year. I did the steal wool and great stuff in my crawl spaces on either side of my bed and all enemy activity has stopped, at least in that region. I have traps everywhere, in crawl spaces and in the basement. Had a couple customers in the basement near the chimney. Ugh. They are so relentless. Let me know how I can help. I sympathize.
Dearest Juliet,
Thank you so much for directing me here to your blog! I’m so hit and miss with facebook that this is the first I’ve seen of it. Good reading and good to be in touch with your dear, dear, spirit again.
Much love,
Laurel
Dear Laurel,
It’s so good to hear from you. I miss being in touch. Thank you for your kind words. I hope you are well.
Love and Light,
Juliet
Hi J.,
You’re right – it’s funnier when reading than hearing.
Pleasant dreams – NO mice.
L. Y. T.,
LOVE, D.
Hi D,
Thank you. Hope you have pleasant dreams too.
LYT and am very thankful to have you in my life.
Love,
J