unpleasant surprise in the garage - Orchid Board

sii · #1 07-13-2011, 06:37 PM

I decided to change out the soil on my spider plant (is that what they're called, long green leaves with a yellow stripe down the middle)

Went to get the soil in the garage that I had left over from last summer. I usually keep it in a big pot (don't remember what I was growing in this pot, but makes a great storage tool)

As I went to retrieve it, a small mouse jumped out. I don't know who was more scared (me!!!) Decided to get hubby to check it out. Good thing I didn't touch the pot....there were 4 more mice in there. Of course they got away, but I'm afraid they might make their way into my house. We have the standard wooden mouse traps, but they won't take the cheese.

Any thoughts?

Gin · #2 07-13-2011, 07:23 PM

Hi, try a bit of bacon or peanut butter on the trap be sure there is no other food source in the garage like dog or cat food .
I have trouble with them in the shop and use bar bait but have no kids or animals that can get to it , they do smell bad dead ..ICK !

sii · #3 07-13-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gin

Hi, try a bit of bacon or peanut butter on the trap be sure there is no other food source in the garage like dog or cat food .
I have trouble with them in the shop and use bar bait but have no kids or animals that can get to it , they do smell bad dead ..ICK !

Oh, never thought of peanut butter. Kids know better than to touch a trap. They've seen one go off. Ouch!

Gin · #4 07-13-2011, 07:34 PM

The bait bar poision is what I meant l I don't like setting traps have husband do it, they always get me lolol

silken · #5 07-13-2011, 08:47 PM

I use peanut butter with good success. Make sure it is well into the little bait area where they have to sort of work at it to get it and then for sure the trap will go off!

sii · #6 07-13-2011, 09:49 PM

hahaha! Thanks! Need to outsmart the little buggers.

sii · #7 07-14-2011, 10:55 PM

I decided to hose down the garage and check the shelves for any remaining visitors. Yup, one decided to hang around but he's gone.

So I took Gin and Silken's advice and put some peanut butter on the traps, but I don't know if it'll work.

I have the all natural peanut butter, you know the one that has the oil that floats to the top (it's just peanuts) not the one from kraft which would be solid at room temperature. After a few minutes in the hot garage, it melted. Has anyone tried this with this type of peanut butter?

If the mice are smart, they'll lick the peanut butter that's oozed off the trap.

silken · #8 07-14-2011, 11:03 PM

I use the all natural, but I stir it up and maybe find a stiffer little chunk! Just stuff a bit into that little tight space and clean the rest, so they don't set the trap off getting the stuff where they won't get caught.

cday2inflorida · #9 07-14-2011, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sii

Any thoughts?

RUN!

sii · #10 07-15-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silken

I use the all natural, but I stir it up and maybe find a stiffer little chunk! Just stuff a bit into that little tight space and clean the rest, so they don't set the trap off getting the stuff where they won't get caught.

Hi Silken,
yup, we did put a piece in that little crevice, but only noticed after it was melting that it went all over the place. The oil made it runny. I'll have to dig around in the peanut butter container for another piece.

OR maybe I'll take cday2inflorida's advice and run.

Silken on another note, I'm looking at my nelly isler and wanted to show you that curled stem's progress (I'm sure I was talking to you about this) I'll post a pic when I get back home.