Eeep!

[dreamflower]

We have a mouse!!

I just went out to the utility room to switch the laundry over. It's doubling as a pantry since we've so little room in the kitchen--so while I was in there I decided to take out a package of pasta mix. It had a hole in it, and most of it missing. An *OBVIOUSLY CHEWED HOLE!* So did a package of instant potatoes, and another package of pasta mix.

I hate them meeces to pieces! ICK!!

Comments

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

eeep! Do you have a cat? Not that that always works, lol! I'd be totally creeped out, too!

[dreamflower]

No, two dogs. Which in their younger days were *great* at catching critters. But they are getting up in years now: the last time that Sugar cornered a mouse, it bit her on the nose!

[mumstheword54.livejournal.com]

Eww, ick! Cartoon mice are fine, but real-life mice do NOT belong in the HOUSE!

If you have freezer space, you can keep pasta fresh (and safe from mice and bugs) in the freezer or even the refrigerator.

*sends neighbors' dozen cats to patrol your grounds*

*hugs*

[dreamflower]

Unfortunately we don't have a lot of freezer space. But I can put some things in our small freezer compartments in the fridge.

The neighbor's cats tend to avoid our yard--they don't like being chased by the dogs.

(((hugs back)))

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

When I had to store dry goods in an area that I couldn't keep pest free very easily, I used to keep them in large plastic bins (sealed) and picnic coolers. The cooler was a little more awkward, because you can't see the food, but it worked as a temporary measure.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Oh, and my kitchen now has elfa shelving (kind of like this: http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=73671&PRODID=10016833) I could get it laid out the way I wanted it, and because there're no "legs" (the shelves are attached to a runner along the ceiling and hanging brackets) there's no way for the critters to get up to them. I have the white grid shelves, and I like them very much! (All the dust falls through so I never have to worry about it.)

[dreamflower]

Yeah, I have a few Sterlite "shoe box" type containers, and I'm going to pick up more soon.

I like those shelves. Maybe when we remodel the kitchen...

[shirebound]

Eeep! Sounds like it's time to keep all the boxed and packaged things in plastic tubs and containers to foil the little beasties.

[dreamflower]

Yep; that's the game plan!

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

*commiserates*

Yes, we've been fighting meeces for a while now, and I HATE HATE HATE it! I agree... they may be cute in cartoons, and even cute in real life but NOT IN MY HOUSE!

UGH!! *shudders*

I would get a cat, but hubby's not interested in one *sigh* so... I just keep setting traps. I hate killing them but... they gotta get OUT!

[dreamflower]

Well, we would get a cat, but the dogs wouldn't stand for it now. And while they were great mousers in their youth, Sissy doesn't have a lot of teeth left now, and the last time Sugar cornered a mouse (out in the yard a few weeks ago)the little beast bit her on her nose!

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

What NERVE!!!

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

An *OBVIOUSLY CHEWED HOLE!*

Oh wow, that mousie must have been eager to get what he/she wanted!

[dreamflower]

Yes, a packet of Alfredo Pasta mix. And a packet of instant potatoes. And another packet of pasta mix...and...well, anyway, I threw the remains out.

*shudder*

[addie71.livejournal.com]

Oh yuck! Hope you find a way to evict your uninvited guests real soon.

[dreamflower]

No sign of it today. The DH will be putting out humane traps this weekend.

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

What kind will you use?

I tried some of the humane traps, but they either ignored them completely, or else managed to steal the bait and not get trapped. Of course, at least half the time they manage to steal the bait out of the killing traps too.

We have frighteningly clever and intelligent mice. And some of them have been quite cheeky also.

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. You need to put things in plastic or metal containers.

[dreamflower]

Yep, plastic "shoe boxes" from Sterlite will come in handy!

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

You have dogs, don't you? Send them out for the hunt!

[dreamflower]

Well, they used to be really great mousers, and ratters, too, when they were young. Kept the backyard free of pests--and so none ever got in the house.

But Sissy doesn't have many teeth left now. And Sugar cornered a mouse outside a few weeks ago, and it bit her on the nose. They are just too old for such sport now. *sigh*

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Too bad.

I guess it has to be the normal way then... trap and ham.

[garnet-took.livejournal.com]

Yuch! I'm with you. rodents, other than pet ones, are not wilcome houseguests. The really old house we used to live in was overrun with both mice and roaches. It was awful. Even those sticky traps did work. Then we moved to an apartment that also had mice, and they were cheeky little things, too. They came out and watched TV with us. One even ran across my face in the middle of the night. We moved five days after that happened.:)

Good luck. I don't have any sure-fire advise. Even cats don't always help. Some dogs will catch mice, but, from what you've said about your dogs, I wouldn't count on them getting the little buggers.

[dreamflower]

LOL! Good heavens! It sounds like that awful movie "Joe's Apartment" only with mice as well as roaches!

Sugar and Sissy used to be really good at catching critters, but they are a bit too old for it now!

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hate mice!

Though every day I caress a mouse. :D

[dreamflower]

LOL! Now *that's* the only kind of mouse that belongs in a house! *grin*

[meneleth.livejournal.com]

A word of caution -- if you have other pets be VERY CAREFUL if you decide to put out rat poison. We thought we had it (outside) where our dogs couldn't reach it, but they managed it. Fortunately, we saw them and rushed them to the vet (early on a Sunday morning, of course!), resulting in lengthy and expensive antidote treatment. They're fine, and we did banish the rodents - who happily never made it inside the house - but it wasn't a happy experience for us or the dogs!

[dreamflower]

We used humane traps the last time we had a mouse, so I'm thinking that's what we'll use now. But if the DH decides on poison instead, we'll be very careful of it.