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
Kristie says
I’ve used have-a-heart rodent traps (chocolate covered caramel candies are the best bait). I was surprised at how many had been hanging out in the crawl space under our kitchen and sneaking into our basement at night. With diligence and patience, we relocated about a dozen (I marked each one to ensure I wasn’t recapturing the same ones over and over – to ensure I was taking them far enough away), and eventually got them all. Now my newest kitty hangs out in that crawl space too, and perhaps she is a bit of a deterrent as well, but we haven’t seen one in months…we keep a trap loaded with a ‘Junior Caramel’ just in case 🙂
Merry says
Wow, what a great idea, Kristie! I think we’ve solved the problem for now, but I love the idea and I’ll remember those chocolate covered caramels as bait. Who would’ve thought? – Merry
Denise Pleban-Oberst says
All essential oils are toxic to cats, so I would be very careful if you use them.
Merry says
Hi Denise, If I use the oils, I will keep the cats out of the bedroom. No worries! I’m a careful cat mom.
Linda Miller says
Be careful with oils. I’m not sure about peppermint oil but some essential oils are toxic to pets. Good luck for a happy outcome for all.
Merry says
Thanks, Linda for the heads up on the oils! I will definitely be careful with that. The items I ordered are guaranteed not to be toxic to pets, but I’ll still watch it.
Lois H says
I hope the herbal things you ordered or the peppermint oil works, but please don’t kill them. They have their own little lives and families and feelings, and your whole career is based on a love of all kinds of animals, so these guys are just in the wrong place right now. And yes, I’m a softie when it comes to animals, but any kind of cruelty or killing of innocent beings is upsetting. Reading your story made me anxious about what the ending would be, but I’m glad you are looking for other methods. Good luck!
Merry says
Yes, Lois, I am going to find a way to save her, but also to exit her from my bedroom! Where I live, in New Mexico, one has to be careful of a disease carried by some mice, call hantavirus, which can be quite serious or even fatal. So co-existing with mice is not an option for us here.
Merry says
Hi Lois! I thought I replied to you earlier, sorry about that! As you can see this week, the ending is a good one. – Merry
Cheryl Dodes says
Oh dear! Quite a dilemma if you don’t want to harm little Ms. Mousie. Good luck in finding a solution pleasing to both parties.
Merry says
Thank you, Cheryl! I think we will be able to do that, and gently persuade her to make her home elsewhere. – Merry
SALLY MOW says
Hello
Mice hate peppermint oil. Sprinkle a few drop around the house..doorways…baseboards etc.
You can buy the concentrated oil on Amazon and it makes a lovely smell around the house….
Merry says
Great idea, Sally! I will try it! – Merry