Last night Dave and I were semi-enjoying the latest DVR'd episode of SNL (those MAC GRUBER sketches killed this week) when we both saw some something gray and fuzzy streak by the floor under the fireplace. We exchanged that look, a combination of unwanted knowledge and utter disgust, and Dave jumped into action tearing apart the living room to see if the beast was on its way in or out.
As Dave set an ever-increasing quantity of mouse traps in the garage, I got to work cleaning the family room. I set all the toys up high next to the TV and vacuumed every square inch and basically made sure there were no crumbs to be found anywhere. I've decided it's my goal to make sure I can see every inch of baseboard in this entire house at any time without having to move anything.
Then I did all the dishes, which I'd been saving for the next day, and put away every scrap of food in the house. Then I soaked a couple towels in peppermint tea and used one to fill the gap under the pantry door and placed the other under the fireplace. I have no idea why I thought this would help, but we saw a MOUSE. In our HOUSE. I was not thinking rationally.
Unfortunately, in spite of the fact that I tossed and turned and imagined them crawling all over me while I slept, we didn't catch any mice last night. The little cretin got away.
Logically you're going to have to take some steps to make your house inhospitable to the mice. You're doing a bang up job on the garage so they're looking for the closest warm, dry haven which would be...the house. You'll lick it, clearly they're trainable since they're already moving the hell out of the garage.
Posted by: Kizz | May 13, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Kizz is right. I don't know, man, I think I'd call in the professionals.
Posted by: Erin | May 13, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I'm afraid I will have to postpone my Steve and Barry Trip until I can be sure there are no more mice in Vancouver.
Posted by: Rhi | May 13, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Wasn't that a Dr. Seuss book? Mouse in the House? LOl (sorry)
When we lived in the country/woods we had the same issue. Mostly field mice not RATS. BIG difference. We have 3 cats, solved that issue. 2 inside/1 outside. Now the 1 outside brings us "presents". Lovely.
Posted by: G-mom | May 13, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Hi, I just wandered into your blog while browsing and I think I would have busted out the cheese and tried to make friends with it. Mice are cute right? I might have a problem with a rat, but a mouse?? Little Jerry?? Cute.
Posted by: Kathy | May 13, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Aaaah! I hate your mice! I hope it was just a fluke and you can mice-proof your house.
Posted by: Rachael | May 13, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I feel for you , I would be awake all night wondering where they are !
Posted by: Jenn | May 13, 2008 at 03:15 PM
One made its way IN the house? Oh...do you think it's time to pull out the BIG guns (aka the professionals) for the situation?
Posted by: Grace | May 13, 2008 at 04:55 PM
As I mentioned in a previous comment, we have the same problem. Our very attentive cat killed three of them. We haven't seen any more. I am really interested in any tips that you get about getting rid of these disgusting things.
Posted by: midlife mommy | May 13, 2008 at 06:08 PM
Hey, at least it's mice and not RATS, like we're dealing with in our (ahem) soon-to-be-hopefully-new house! I TOLD YOU we need to catch up!!
Oh, and PS: Z asks me on a DAILY basis where Alex is, and then we go into the whole "ALex is in WA....You have to go on a plane to see him." Apparently, that's FASCINATING to him. TOO cute!
Posted by: Jamie | May 13, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Get a cat, seriously. Ours would not only catch them most of the time, but if she can't, she at least goes crazy wherever they are, so we know where to look. Also, don't waste money on services like Orkin. We decided we were just going to suck it up and pay them. They guy came out, did his "inspection", and said "lady there's no way I can keep mice out of the house. Did you know they can get through a hole the size of a dime?" Why yes, I did, that's why I agree to pay a thousand dollars when the nice lady on the phone PROMISED ME no more mice. "Well, lady, there's no way we can guarantee that." Ummm, well all righty then, you can leave now.
For some reason, after we remodeled our kitchen, we haven't seen one...shhhh. Knock on wood, salt over the shoulder, etc., etc.
Posted by: Mom24 | May 14, 2008 at 04:10 AM
Sounds like you're doing a pretty good job. But like Mom24 said, I wouldn't shell out any cash for the professionals. People do that, thinking, oh the professionals will take care of it. But you know what? They will do exactly the same stuff you are doing. They certainly don't perform any magic... except making your wallet disappear.
The main thing is taking away any source of food for them and setting traps like crazy. Eventually the remaining ones will move on.
Posted by: Kookaburra | May 14, 2008 at 05:06 AM
Best mouse trap ever: A great big, very hungry C-A-T! Good Luck!
Posted by: Minyo | May 14, 2008 at 06:15 AM
A cat, or a professional service.................we had great luck with ours and did NOT have to pay $1000 - we paid $120 the first time they came and now $80 every quarter. Totally TOTALLY worth it.
Posted by: dregina | May 14, 2008 at 06:40 AM