About a week ago I noticed two little green acorns had been left on the seat of my bedroom chair overnight. This was no mystery…I had a mouse in my house (specifically my bedroom). And she was making herself at home, even storing up provisions for the upcoming winter.
I live in the country, on 20 wooded acres in the mountains of New Mexico. So discovering mice in our house is not anything novel or strange. So far we’ve lived with them as neighbors and sometimes co-inhabitants for 4 years. Does it please me? Not especially. But after all, they were here first.
I try to be philosophical.
And they are cute. REALLY cute. So I hate trapping and killing them. I’ve even created mouse jewelry, for Heaven’s sake.
But back to my story
Two days after the discovery of Ms. Mouse’s little acorn stash on the cushion of my chair, my tiny “roommate” boldly put in an appearance while I sat in bed reading at 5 am. She peered at me from behind a bookcase, then made a mad dash for the darkness under my dresser. This was a little too cheeky even for me.
So the next day I “hired” Willow the cat (one of our two mousers par excellence) to spend some time in my bedroom, just sniff around and give the mouse something to worry about. I was taking a risk…my floor is covered by Navajo rugs, and thus far I’d kept the cats out of my room, protecting them from those sharpening claws.
But I had high hopes that a cat’s appearance and smell would convince Ms. Mouse to suddenly move out and set up housekeeping in one of our outbuildings, raise a family there even. I’d be fine with that. I was willing to take the risk…
Willow’s Luxurious New Digs…
As you can see, Willow enjoyed hanging out in my bedroom. In fact, over the following week she spent 5 hours every day sleeping on my bed or on the chair. The same one where the acorns were left. I never witnessed this cat exploring any nooks and crannies, but she got lots of beauty rest. She and Ms. Mouse seemed to have an agreement; live and let live. The mouse continued to put in appearances to taunt me in the early morning hours.
Prophetically, over the weekend there was an ad on my Face Book news feed for an herbal, non lethal mouse deterrent. Supposed to work like a charm! Little packets full of herbal scents that mice can’t stand! Guaranteed to send them scurrying to find new homes! (How did FB read my mind?) Of course I ordered them.
These wonder packets of herbal de-mousers haven’t arrived yet, but I am hopeful. Any of you had any success with non-lethal mouse traps? I’m no angel, and I have used regular traps as well, especially in the kitchen. But it seems the mouse population has plummeted now that I have two cats living with me, so no more mousetraps. With the exception of my bedroom, the mice invasion is somewhat controlled.
What do you think about all this? I’d love to hear any bright ideas!
Your Animal Loving Artist,
Merry