How to Catch a Mouse in 15 Minutes
As soon as the weather turns cold, a host of creepy crawlies decide that my home is their home. I was scared out of my wits the other day when I looked over and a vicious looking spider strolled by on my pillow. I suppose (if he stuck to the corners) he could spend the winter eating other insects, but that's very little comfort. This weekend the mice started to come (maybe to keep the spiders company?) and I had to act.
Step 1: Realizing I had a Mouse
What tipped me off was the noise. I think the mouse stumbled into a cache of plastic bags. I would like to think my cats would have alerted me, but they casually glanced at the kitchen and went back to sleep. When I went to investigate the noise would immediately stop. I finally saw the mouse trying to lick some dried pasta sauce off the stove (note to self: clean stove!).
Step 2: Setting the Trap
I figured that such a bold mousey would be unable to resist the ultimate bait: a cheezit covered with peanut butter! Two strong smells would surely draw it out and into my simple (but humane) trap that consisted of a plastic box with a flap. I propped the little door open a bit and hoped for the best.
Step 3: Wait 15 Minutes
It was hard to concentrate on my What Not to Wear marathon and stay away from the kitchen, especially when I heard a couple of mouse related noises. After 15 minutes I heard the sound of claws scrabbling against plastic. I had caught a big mouse and it was not taking it quietly!
Step 4: What to Do with the Mouse
I knew that if I just let it go outside it would find its way back into the house. I briefly considered setting it loose in someone else's house next time I went for a visit, but decided to let it go in the country. Now I have to go set up the trap again, in case the mouse had some friends.