DogOnIt, I am laughing so hard at your response.....about finding a leg...and blood running down the counter........please don't take offense to that.......it was just the visual I had in my head......


To answer your questions, based on my own experiences:

1. Will I really hear him squeal?

Not always. The trap can kill them instantly if it snaps their neck. It's kind of like a 50/50 chance and depends on the positioning of the mouse when the trap is set off.

2. What's the likelyhood of him chewing his leg off?

VERY likely if the trap catches his leg. It is their only way or getting out of the trap.

3. How long will it take him to die?

The mouse could die instantly or live until you 'finish the job'. You could turn him loose outside but he will come right back in....unless he is too crippled and just lays there and suffers. I do not recommend picking up a trap with a lively mouse in it. If it catches his leg, you will need to bash him while he is still in the trap - so you do not get bitten.

4. Are they hard to use?

Not really......just be careful with it. The main thing to remember is that it is spring loaded. If you set it off...it's gonna snap. Hold the trap by the sides and under the bottom so that the lever action cannot snap any part of your hand. This lever, when released, comes down with brutal force - thats the whole point.....to kill the mouse.

5. Will there be a big mess? (I.E. guts, blood..etc, sorry to be graphic)

I have never seen a 'big mess'. I've even had the lever snap onto their stomachs and 'stuff' doesn't go everywhere. It's not normally a graphic experience as far as blood or body parts. The trap is made to crush the bones....not sever the skin. IF there should be a little drop of blood......DO NOT touch it with bare hands.

6. If I decide to use it, how long do you think it'll take before I get him?

You should have him within 24 hours......most of the time...A LOT sooner. I've set traps and within 30 minutes....had my kill...lol The trick is to leave the room. Make sure there is no noise so the mouse thinks its a safe time to come out and play.

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Honestly, since it's been almost a week......I'd wait until I see him again. This will give you time to think and maybe find a 'flip' trap (no-kill trap). Flip traps do not kill the mouse......so you have to have a back up plan for when you let it loose, else it will be right back in your home. Got a cat that needs some exercise?

Ansy, thank for your response...no offense taken...actually I was laughing at myself..I never realized how much of a scaredy cat I really am! Your answers have really helped me out a lot..I have thought of everything..even just trying to keep my sanity living with this thing.


""You should have him within 24 hours......most of the time...A LOT sooner. I've set traps and within 30 minutes....had my kill...lol The trick is to leave the room. Make sure there is no noise so the mouse thinks its a safe time to come out and play""

Now...here's the thing. For the past week (since I've known of him being here) I have left my kitchen light on, and I have a leaky kitchen faucet that drips every second or so...on an aluminum sink...you can hear it. Is this keeping him away?? Everytime I come wandering into my kitchen...late at night..2am..6am..etc..I always creep in through my living room, trying not to make a peep to see if I see him in action. But nadda...and like I said before, I've been searching for mouse droppings..and I have been so paranoid about my counter tops! If you should take a peek at me....You'd think I have OCD, but I don't...only this mouse has freaked me out.

Everytime I think I have made my choice...I end up changing my mind! It's so frustrating. I've never even seen him...only his turds!! I will take your advice...once I start seeing another sign of him being around...then I'm sure it'll force me to make a decision. Thanks again :o)

**Signed...Big Sissy!

it really depends where it hits the mouse. If it hits their head, probably just die. (possible blood out of mouth and ears....) If it hits tail, could squeal and squirm away or die slowly..... If hits middle of body, possible squealing and blood.... ick! Hearing a trap go off and a mouse squeal is the most sickening feeling.... :|

oh DoGoneIt, i've sworn myself to secrecy! poor thing, i hope it's over soon!
sincerely,
one Scaredy Cat to Another

***Edited By: bessieloubop on 1/11/2005 9:31:00 PM***
Reason: 1

You're not a sissy at all, and like I said before, those of us that are laughing at the situation are only laughing because the mouse is not in OUR house! I would be flipping out! A couple of years back we were living with my mom while our house was being built....while I was baking cookies for my son's class a mouse ran out from underneath the oven, right in front of me. I sent my husband out for traps and poison IMMEDIATELY and never went in that kitchen (or any other empty room) again without banging and stomping. Everyone (except my mom) was laughing at me. I am just really not a rodent person.

I've never had to actually set the traps or empty them myself (WAY too chicken for that...if DH was gone, I'd hire a stranger off the street before doing it myself), but I can tell you what I know from being around the whole procedure (traps and D-Con)...

How fast? The one at my mom's house was in the trap within 12 hours. When we used to have them in the house as a kid, my dad and brother used to have to empty the traps almost daily. (we lived next to an empty field, so we had a steady stream).

Will it squeal? I NEVER heard anything like that. The only sound I ever heard (other than the traps going off), was one banging around with the trap when it didn't die immediately. We also never had any evidence of one chewing off its leg, but I would agree with Ansy that it probably would happen...if it wants to get away badly enough.

Blood? Never saw any blood or gore...and my brother used to chase me around with "the victim"....any wonder why I'm freaked out about them?

The idea behind D-Con is that they are supposed to get very thirsty so they will go outside to get water, then die outside. We did have a couple die in the bathtub because they went to find water there, so I guess that's not foolproof, but it is another option if you don't want to mess with a body.

The other option you have is getting an exterminator in to set and empty the traps. That's what my mom did after we moved out (she's as freaked out about them as I am). The other advantage is that they will really look around to see if they can't find where the mice are coming in and where they are living, so they have a better chance of catching them. They will also close up any openings with steel wool to keep them from returning.

An exterminator recommended to a friend of mine that she put air freshener (like those Glade things) in all of her pantries and food cabinets. The smell is offensive to the mice and it helps to at least keep them away from your food. Also be sure that your dog food is in airtight containers...they love the stuff.

Hope that info helps in your decision. I hope he has just moved on and you never have to deal with it at all....
Don't you love how this stuff only crops up when hubbies are away?

I wish I could show all of you my house. I suppose I was inviting a mouse in this entire time. I have an automatic dog feeder that stays full constantly...I've got crackers, chocolate, candy, all kinds of snacks laying on my kitchen counter...in ziplock bags, nonetheless...just sitting there. My kitchen is large, but I have a ton of stuff..even cereal dispensers on my counter. The places I have found turds...Under my stove covers, where the range is, behind my George Foreman, underneath my toaster. On top of my bread box (which has nothing but bills in it)..that's it, but like I said, he hasn't torn into any bags and I don't see traces of him near the dog food.

Do mice usually come and go?

Tell me when you get sick of me and my mouse...I'm already sick of it :o)

LMAO...I'll never get tired of this post......

For a minute, I thought you were describing MY kitchen.....(bills in the breadbox......candy, snacks...lol)


Some mice do come and go, but if he has a source of food he is more than likely going to stay there.

Another reason you may not have seen him....well...'her'....is that she could have had little ones....and has not been as active the last few days.

Changing your mind again?...lol

The dripping sink will not scare them. Mice become accustomed to normal household sounds. They are more visual anyway. We'd set the traps then go watch TV in the next room......as loud as we could be....but they couldn't see un in the kitchen......so they would think 'play time' .......and then.....SNAP!

hmm, i'm feel a bit hungry. DoGoneIt, can i come over for a little snack? ;) one thing you could do to mouseproof is seal everything up and put it away. that way if your little visitor is still about, he won't have any encouragement. however, as it is winter time, do not remove your insulation, hee hee. yet. =)

Hey DoGoneIt,

Where do you live?
The reason I ask is because are you sure it's a mouse then? Here the lizards occasionally get into your house, and poop on your counters or whatnot, it looks very much like it could be a mouses poop but it's not. I actually looked it up on the net and the kind of lizards we get (geekos) have white at the end of the poop so I know it's a lizards. So if you live in FL, Georgia, or something like that, that gets lizards maybe thats it??

Nikki

i hear that mice like bread crumbs

A Mouse's Prayer...


I'm so little......... meek and mild
I come inside to escape the wild
Staying in silence, and out of your way
I pray that you'll give me just one more day

My belly hurts...... from a lack of food
and I know that today....if you're in a good mood
You'll leave me a bread crumb, and maybe a chip
If some water I found, I'd sure take a sip

I'm just a mouse.....and I mean no harm
I'm lonely and scared - don't be alarmed
You went to the dog forum, inquiring of mice
Thinking and plotting.......of ending my life

I stay in the shadows......and while you are asleep
I search for my food.......I'd love something sweet
I will not ever hurt you....I give you my word
What have I done, besides leave a few turds?

Your friends at the dog forum......they want me dead
Could you live with that while resting your head?
I'm just a mouse.......so meek and so mild
Can't we be friends.....at least for a while?

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Ok.......I know this was just plain WRONG.....lol.....but in light of the humor on this thread.....I couldn't resist. This story has made me laugh SO hard.

LOL before I even got to the part you wrote on the bottom i was thinking that is just WRONG!!! LOL

Nikki

BTW Great Poem :)

***Edited By: nikkispnce on 1/12/2005 3:10:38 AM***
Reason: .

Well you guys just made me laugh!! thanks for making light of this problem at our house!!

Well I am pleased to say I have caught 3 mice yesterday !!! BUT there was 2 bigger mice and one little Mousey :0( .....So I am sure he was not an only child and that I have the rest of the family running around somewhere.

Dogoneit to answer some of your questions. NO never heard the traps. NO there was NO blood or yuky stuff. I have never had a mouse chew off a leg to get out in fact the little guy only had his tail stuck in which was sad.....

Your little bit of noise isn't going to scare them off. Like I said earlier I was playing with my dogs when they just run threw the house. Blaze (pug) started barking and was scared. Casper got all wound up and started running around He knocked over my antique smoking stand. and Bailey and Diamond just sat there wondering what they were all excited about. This didn't make the mouse go and hide OH NO he just went under the couch and peeked at us???
Jubilee

Lmao!!! Ansy....Ahhh, thanks for that poem...I think I'll go cry now! Seriously though, that was awesome....and thanks for all the advice also! You kill me!

Bessie...please do, come on over and eat all my snacks and then help me find the little bugger. It's OK..you don't have to bite your tongue (fingers) anymore...I think I have heard it all.

Nikki...if only it were a gecko!! But I am afraid that it's not. I live in Virginia...I love gecko's!! I grew up with them in Okinawa and I could deal with that! I'm afraid it is a mouse....a little itty bitty mouse :o(

I get so paranoid now...every little piece of bread crumb...dog food, I freak out..first I have to check if it's a turd..when I find out it's not...(because it has been a LONG time now) I start scrubbing the entire kitchen down with clorox...everyday my DD comes home from school and smells bleach in the house...I think she is confused, because I NEVER clean THIS much!

Thanks for keeping this subject light for me guys...If it weren't for ya'll...I'd be walking around on stilts and eating out every night.

Have you thought about getting a cat? They are suppose to be great at catching mice. I had a mouse in the walls and I thought my terrier was going to tear down the house to get it.

Ansy...great poem...you got my day started off with a huge laugh today!

Casper...congrats on the mouse bounty...keep up the good work!

DogGoneIt....I don't think anyone is tired of your mouse. This thread is the best on here right now!
(Sorry that it couldn't be a lizard though =)

I can't wait to hear the next installment...

Have great day guys!

Cathy

Bellesmom,

The problem with gettign a cat is she doesn't want a present brought to her in bed while she's sleeping ;) lol

BTW dogoneit, you are giving them time to breed if there are more than one. Get it or them now!!!!!!! Listen to Casper.

Nikki

""BTW dogoneit, you are giving them time to breed if there are more than one. Get it or them now!!!!!!! ""

OMG...as if I wasn't paranoid enough as it is! Thanks Nikki! lol

My friend offered to loan me her cat..but, my dogs wouldn't be too happy with that..and then what in the world would I do when the cat brought me a dead mouse?!?!?!?!

I just wish DH would come home and take care of it..even if he had to leave right after he caught it.

If it weren't so inhumane to take a picture of him once I got it...I would, but that would be really messed up. I can't promise that I won't gloat about it though...I just really, really, really hope that he left...and if he didn't, that he isn't off in the wall having babies...maybe it's a he and doesn't have a she nearby...maybe all of the she's are taken and he is destined to be alone forever. (Hey, I have to keep telling myself something so I can sleep at night!)

i have been avoiding this thread like the plague. i was so afraid you were going to say you got stuart. i am glad i read it , some of you really cracked me up. well i , for one , am glad stuart is still holding his own.

RUN , stuart , RUN............

lol poor Scout

I can't promise you that I won't get him...but I've given him ample time to leave on his own accord. If he feels the need to come back and rub it in my face...then I will have to bring in the troops (traps) I'm not giving him anymore ammo then I already have. Crumbs are a thing of the past, he's better off going to another house (next door maybe) since they never seem to be home...he can act up all he wants over there and they'd probably never even know. I wonder how smart mice are...they can probably read like Cricket Yorkie. I better sleep with one eye open...I'm sure he's waiting for the perfect time for revenge!

Seriously though...he must have left...either than, or he has moved to a differnet part of the house. My DD has 3 hamsters...if he were smart, he'd go in her room and steal her hammies food..I wonder who would win that battle. Stuart or her hammies?