Yes. We have mice. Sadly, like bedbugs and roaches, this is not a problem reserved only for those in rent-controlled apartments. (Though really, you get such a great deal, I think taking the vermin on for the rest of us would be quite considerate.)
We knew they were here when they left their tell-tale little calling cards. Poops. Gross. I was out for blood. And I got it. Conrad killed three. And we saw no more poops. Gone? You know the answer. Of course not.
No, these guys went to rally the troops. To bury their dead and allow the proper time for mourning, and then to double their force and come out tales waving high, little mouse toes scampering lightly. They took this new mission on with a certain gusto I hadn’t expected. In fact, this latest crew they’ve sent in is bordering on rude. Guerilla warfare. They will walk out and say hi. Scurry along the wall only to pop down where you’re quite sure there is no opening. And traps? Oh, we can lure them in. I’m a fisherman’s daughter – and I can bait with the best of ‘em. But much to my chagrin, there little 0.5″ brains are smarter than me …
Note: Merl is standing ON the trap
And so I give you Merl. Merl is small. I mean tiny. Merl is the bomb squad. They send Merl in first. He scampers over to the trap and inspects the food. Then he gives the all clear. It goes like this, “Hey! Food! Organic peanut butter dipped in a lovely imported parmigiano reggiano!” (Note: NYC mice are fickle. They like mom’s homemade cookies and imported cheese – the other stuff, gets a turned nose and an extra poop to emphasize their dislike.)
And then out comes Murray. Murray is fierce. He is the brains of the operation. Murray inspects the trap for function. He finds the best way to extract the food from the locking mechanism and export it to who knows where. Murray has the soft, quick hands of a power-thief.
How do I know about Merl and Murray? I observed all this from my home office, looking out into the kitchen, where I watched the showdown between man and beast. And we lost.
Well Merl, well Murray, you may have won this battle. But we will win the war. This I can promise you. Tomorrow we are bringing in our big guns. The exterminator arrives with WoMD and he’s not afraid to use them. And if you win that battle too, I have another trick up my sleeves. Much to Conrad’s chagrin, it’s a one-word answer that starts with “C” and ends with “AT”. … But we’ll only bring out that dirty word if all else fails. It’s that or move.
Bring it on.
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But they’re so cute!!! A cat will hopefully work; but I’ve know some who just aren’t interested in mice. Also, with your many travels, who takes care of P.C. (pussycat)?
Mom R
OK…here’s the ‘rents scoop…we’ll buy the C…AT as a birthday present (anyone having a birthday soon, anyone that we can honor???…we could call the C…AT “Paul”)!!! We’ll even get the C…AT some food, but not too much since you want to feed it Merl, Murray, and the rest of the NY clan scurrying about your house , doing nasty things to your peaceful homestead…YUCK!!!
By the way, Dad & I looked at our calendars, I think we’ll be busy for the next few months, [or for as long as it takes to get those nasty rodents OUT] and not be able to get to the city for an overnight visit…at least not until all the critters have been pulverized…or eaten by the C…AT!!!
Happy Hunting!!!
Update — 2 down.
I used the round traps that they craw in and, SNAP. They seemed to work pretty well.
Round traps … what is this of which you speak?
Update — 4 down (my brave hunter!)
I got two words for you: Glue traps.
You need traps, yes, but you also need to secure the perimeter. Pull the appliances and etc from the walls and find the tiny cracks and crevices where they are entering. Stuff steel wool in the locations found, and use epoxy caulk. Then add some nice strong wood on top. If you find all the locations and secure well, it may be a year before they bother to return (they will find another apt to hang out in and lose interest). To me, the traps are just maintenance while you work to identify all the entryways and test to be sure you are all patched up.