|
Home > Archive > Pest Control > November 2005 > Clever mice outwit snap traps.
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
Clever mice outwit snap traps.
|
|
| Peter Jason 2005-10-25, 10:21 pm |
| I have mice in my house and I have put small snap traps everywhere, and
these I bait with peanut butter.
But the mice are very clever and lick the peanut butter off the triggers
without setting off the traps!
I saw one doing this once, and they can lick the triggers clean overnight.
I have been careful to pick traps with hair-triggers but it makes no
difference, except that they are much harder to set.
Please help, Peter.
| |
|
| In article <djmkio$3h6$1@otis.netspace.net.au>, PJ@PJ.com.nz says...
 I have mice in my house and I have put small snap traps everywhere, and
these I bait with peanut butter.
But the mice are very clever and lick the peanut butter off the triggers
without setting off the traps!
I saw one doing this once, and they can lick the triggers clean overnight.
I have been careful to pick traps with hair-triggers but it makes no
difference, except that they are much harder to set.
Please help, Peter.
Instead of a food bait, wrap some yarn around the trigger that they may
use as nesting material...maybe add a drop of vanilla extract.
--
Lar
to email....get rid of the BUGS
| |
| PCOpug 2005-10-26, 1:21 am |
| Wipe an undectable amount of peanut butter under the trap .
Place the trigger facing the wall .
I love how everyone places huge gobs of peanut butter on the trap and even
under the trigger !
| |
| Peter Jason 2005-10-26, 3:21 am |
| Thank you for the replies. I am at my wits end with these mice who are
becomming brazen enough to saunter across the room as I watch TV.
I think they live in a large sofa in the parlour because there is a lot of
mouse dirt under the cushions there.
I have had a look inside but I didn't see any.
But I need to know if mice are solitary or if there is a nest of several of
them because I can't know if it the same mouse I see all the time, or one of
several.
Regards, Peter
| |
| Pat and Chris 2005-10-26, 12:21 pm |
|
"Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz> wrote in message
news:djmkio$3h6$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
>I have mice in my house and I have put small snap traps everywhere, and
>these I bait with peanut butter.
>
> But the mice are very clever and lick the peanut butter off the triggers
> without setting off the traps!
>
> I saw one doing this once, and they can lick the triggers clean overnight.
>
> I have been careful to pick traps with hair-triggers but it makes no
> difference, except that they are much harder to set.
>
> Please help, Peter.
>
I used to have this problem from time to time. Now I smush a raisin against
the trigger, wrap a length of thread tightly around it several times to
hold it in place(you don't need to knot it), then smear a bit of peanut
butter on the raisin. Even if the mouse licks off the peanut butter, the
trap snaps when he tries to pull the raisin off.
Pat McC.
| |
|
|
|
| Have you tried glue boards to catch the mice. Most of the mouse traps I've
tried they have cleaned. Glueboards seem to work well for mice. Just watch
out that yourself, others, children, pets, and other things don't get caught
on them.
Snap traps work well for rats, rat size snap traps. But I like glue boards
for mice.
<intheswamp00@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1130436225.816232.209290@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>A couple of things...
>
> First, if you're using the little wooden-based traps try bending the
> metal tab outward, away from the side that you hook the latch-wire to.
> Bend it just a tad at a time until you create a "hair trigger". Watch
> your fingers.
>
> Next, you might want to try the mouse traps that have the yellow
> plastic plate rather than the metal piece. With these the mouse only
> has to step up onto the plate to trip the trap (the bait is in the
> center of the plate). These work pretty good. To set the trap put
> tension on the trap-wire and slip the wire-arm wire under the little
> plastic ledge (you'll see what I'm talking about). Then, while holding
> the trap-wire (the part that nails the mouse)with the spring under
> tension, slowly press down on the plate until the trip-wire is barely
> holding under the ledge. Another hair-trigger.
>
> You can also use bacon and tie a thread around it to make the mouse
> have to work at it to get it off.
>
> Peanut butter is a great bait. Don't put too much on the trap...just
> enough for them to want it. Some yarn tied to the trap and smeared
> with peanut butter would be a bait that would probably make them more
> aggressive at trying to get it off...and thus tripping the trap.
>
> I remember watching a trap I had set along a baseboard, near a doorway.
> The mouse would come around the corner of the door running
> lickety-split get close to the trap and then jump completely over it.
> I simply moved the trap to the edge of the doorway against the
> baseboard. Next time the mouse came through he wasn't expecting it to
> be there and ran square into it!
>
> The biggest trick with snap-traps is getting them tuned to the
> "hair-trigger" stage.
>
> Best wishes in your battle!
> Ed
>
| |
| Peter Jason 2005-10-28, 11:21 pm |
| Yes I just have.
In desperation I went to "Pest Suppliers' Wholesaler" who showed me many
options and I chose a handful of glue traps (of stiff cardboard, about 4" x
8"), and the latest in rat/mouse snap traps (a large plastic self-setting
contraption called the "T-Rex").
I decided to use the glue traps first and I placed one next to the
non-performing mouse trap of a few days ago.
I set it before I went to work and there was a mouse stuck on it that very
evening!!
I sent him/her into the sweet hereafter via a whack with a tablespoon and
buried the result in the garden.
The very next day was a repeat of the first (with a fresh glue rap), and the
next day the same thing happened again!
So I have caught 3 mice in 3 days!
But no more mice have come forward, so I am setting the glue traps elsewhere
in the house in the hope of catching more.
I must warn everyone that mice are quite vicious and I narrowly avoided
being bitten when I put my finger too close to the glued second mouse.
Also, I will set the large "T-Rex" next to a hole in the boundary fence, as
it is possible these mice are migrating from next door.
Many thanks for all help and suggestions.
PS: I am putting a small amount of peanut butter into the centre of the
glue traps.
<rsmith9982@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
news:joc8f.25747$5e4.18447@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> Have you tried glue boards to catch the mice. Most of the mouse traps I've
> tried they have cleaned. Glueboards seem to work well for mice. Just watch
> out that yourself, others, children, pets, and other things don't get
> caught on them.
> Snap traps work well for rats, rat size snap traps. But I like glue boards
> for mice.
> <intheswamp00@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1130436225.816232.209290@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
>
| |
| Julian Richards 2005-10-28, 11:21 pm |
| On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 11:28:37 +1000, "Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz>
wrote:
>Yes I just have.
>
>In desperation I went to "Pest Suppliers' Wholesaler" who showed me many
>options and I chose a handful of glue traps (of stiff cardboard, about 4" x
>8"), and the latest in rat/mouse snap traps (a large plastic self-setting
>contraption called the "T-Rex").
>
>I decided to use the glue traps first and I placed one next to the
>non-performing mouse trap of a few days ago.
>
>I set it before I went to work and there was a mouse stuck on it that very
>evening!!
>
>I sent him/her into the sweet hereafter via a whack with a tablespoon and
>buried the result in the garden.
>
>The very next day was a repeat of the first (with a fresh glue rap), and the
>next day the same thing happened again!
>
>So I have caught 3 mice in 3 days!
>
>But no more mice have come forward, so I am setting the glue traps elsewhere
>in the house in the hope of catching more.
>
>I must warn everyone that mice are quite vicious and I narrowly avoided
>being bitten when I put my finger too close to the glued second mouse.
>
>Also, I will set the large "T-Rex" next to a hole in the boundary fence, as
>it is possible these mice are migrating from next door.
>
>Many thanks for all help and suggestions.
>
>PS: I am putting a small amount of peanut butter into the centre of the
>glue traps.
If you are catching the mice alive, why kill them? My father used the
old fashioned tall milk bottles to catch them and he would release
them in the middle of nowhere on the way to work that day.
He did have to buy a mouse trap whilst in Spain and was surprised to
discover a device with three holes (to catch three mice). When the
mouse sprung its third of the trap, a wire would pull up to slowly
choke the mouse to death in an entirely unnecessarily unpleasant way.
--
Julian Richards
medieval "at" richardsuk.f9.co.uk
www.richardsuk.f9.co.uk
Website of "Robot Wars" middleweight "Broadsword IV"
THIS MESSAGE WAS POSTED FROM SOC.HISTORY.MEDIEVAL
| |
|
| In article <9vk5m1debrnpdo7ka9qmkpj5i3r77nep15@4ax.com>, see@sig.co.uk
says...
If you are catching the mice alive, why kill them? My father used the
old fashioned tall milk bottles to catch them and he would release
them in the middle of nowhere on the way to work that day.
Say you live in an area where the fringe of a number of diseases that
mice can spread. You catch a mouse and transport several miles away
across the river..a woodland range or a lake, where that disease may not
yet be present....
Mice are also very territorial, if you drop one off into a new area it
is at a great disadvantage not knowing the range, and being under stress
to begin with probably doesn't have much of a chance competing with the
established population.
--
Lar
to email....get rid of the BUGS
| |
| Peter Jason 2005-10-29, 2:21 am |
| Xref: number1.nntp.dca.giganews.com alt.consumers.pest-control:13685 soc.history.medieval:430728
"Julian Richards" <see@sig.co.uk> wrote in message
news:9vk5m1debrnpdo7ka9qmkpj5i3r77nep15@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 29 Oct 2005 11:28:37 +1000, "Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz>
> wrote:
>
>
> If you are catching the mice alive, why kill them? My father used the
> old fashioned tall milk bottles to catch them and he would release
> them in the middle of nowhere on the way to work that day.
>
> He did have to buy a mouse trap whilst in Spain and was surprised to
> discover a device with three holes (to catch three mice). When the
> mouse sprung its third of the trap, a wire would pull up to slowly
> choke the mouse to death in an entirely unnecessarily unpleasant way.
Alas, the sides or hindquarters of the trapped mice are imbedded in the glue
and the two cannot be separated without dismembering the mouse (not that
I've tried) and the whole scenario is reminiscent of "punching the Tar
Baby".
I am elated about catching so many mice and thoroughly recommend this glue
method.
>
>
> --
>
> Julian Richards
> medieval "at" richardsuk.f9.co.uk
>
> www.richardsuk.f9.co.uk
> Website of "Robot Wars" middleweight "Broadsword IV"
>
> THIS MESSAGE WAS POSTED FROM SOC.HISTORY.MEDIEVAL
| |
| Martin 2005-10-29, 2:21 am |
|
"Lar" <larlfu@comcastBUGS.net> wrote in message
news:MPG.1dcca5565ce0eaef989802@netnews.comcast.net...
> In article <9vk5m1debrnpdo7ka9qmkpj5i3r77nep15@4ax.com>, see@sig.co.uk
> says...
> If you are catching the mice alive, why kill them? My father used the
> old fashioned tall milk bottles to catch them and he would release
> them in the middle of nowhere on the way to work that day.
>
>
> Say you live in an area where the fringe of a number of diseases that
> mice can spread. You catch a mouse and transport several miles away
> across the river..a woodland range or a lake, where that disease may not
> yet be present....
> Mice are also very territorial, if you drop one off into a new area it
> is at a great disadvantage not knowing the range, and being under stress
> to begin with probably doesn't have much of a chance competing with the
> established population.
It's a cruel world - for us and for rodents. The little blighters should
consider themselves lucky they aren't prey to the Spanish garotte!
Those glue traps are atrocious, and should be banned. I can think of few more
unpleasant things than facing an angry, hysterical rat whose feet have been
glued to the floor all night, when slouching down to the kitchen half asleep at
the crack of dawn, looking for the cooking sherry. I read the instructions on
one (for sale in the local hardware shop).... "dispatch trapped rodents as
humanely as possible" it said.... the rest was left to the imagination. The
stuff of nightmares...
I used to catch our 'kitchen mice' (who entered via the cat flap) in a humane
trap (well, humane as long as you checked it regularly - rather like Richard
II's hideous death if you didn't for the unfortunate little beasts), and release
them in the park while taking the dogs out. The local sparrowhawk used to love
me...
In cold weather this was not allowed however, and they had to be kept in a
luxurious 'holding facility' with toys, food, bedding and unlimited drink until
spring... by which time they were so fat and lazy, it was hardly fair to turf
them out.
If you want to get rid of mice, the best way is to get rats in - no contest.
Then you can kill the rats without any guilt or remorse, as they are utterly
vile...
| |
| Martin 2005-10-29, 3:21 am |
|
"Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz> wrote in message
news:djut7q$bbf$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
>
> "Julian Richards" <see@sig.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:9vk5m1debrnpdo7ka9qmkpj5i3r77nep15@4ax.com...
>
> Alas, the sides or hindquarters of the trapped mice are imbedded in the glue
> and the two cannot be separated without dismembering the mouse (not that
> I've tried) and the whole scenario is reminiscent of "punching the Tar
> Baby".
> I am elated about catching so many mice and thoroughly recommend this glue
> method.
I must say, I admire your bravery and courage in facing these savage creatures -
even when glued down, mice can be vicious, unpredictable and highly dangerous
foes. Taking them on single handed with only a spoon takes considerable skill,
and is certainly not for the nervous or faint hearted....
You sound like a natural hunter Peter - have you ever ridden with hounds? Far
safer, and the dogs do all the dirty work for you....
| |
|
| I'm glad the glue boards worked well for you.
"Martin" <martin.reboul@spamfuktiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:436309f2_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> "Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz> wrote in message
> news:djut7q$bbf$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
>
>
> I must say, I admire your bravery and courage in facing these savage
> creatures -
> even when glued down, mice can be vicious, unpredictable and highly
> dangerous
> foes. Taking them on single handed with only a spoon takes considerable
> skill,
> and is certainly not for the nervous or faint hearted....
>
> You sound like a natural hunter Peter - have you ever ridden with hounds?
> Far
> safer, and the dogs do all the dirty work for you....
>
| |
| intheswamp00@hotmail.com 2005-10-29, 11:21 am |
| Peter, those rodents are nasty, disease carrying pests with no obvious
(even if you research deeply) redeeming value. I salute you on your
resolution to exterminate them. There's also a product (kinda pricey)
that zaps them with an electrical charge...it's called a "Rat-Zapper".
Works very well, though there are maintenance issues with it. The glue
traps/snap-traps work great once you figure out a good war-plan to
follow.
Once you quit seeing the mice, be sure you leave some traps out in the
most frequented areas...others will come.
I'm not sure what type house you live in, but you might want to inspect
your utility accesses...the holes where your plumbing and electrical
connections enter the house. Many times, especially in older
construction, there are large gaps that the mice will enter in through.
The better sealing would be to staple in some 1/4" heavy-gauge screen
to cover these gaps...can be cut with heavy shears/scissors. Once the
screen is in place you might want to fill the voids with some expanding
foam (here in the US, "Great Stuff" is a brand that comes to
mind)....this will help cut down on drafts and help the heating/cooling
bill some. If your house is built up on piers (rather than on a slab)
crawl around underneath and look for possible avenues of entry...while
under the house be sure to look at the area of kitchen
cabinets...sometimes the carpenters leaves gaps under them because the
owner "won't see the gaps".
BTW, are you on the north island or the south? Beautiful country down
there...especially the south island. Ever been to Skippers Canyon?
Ed
| |
| erilar 2005-10-29, 5:21 pm |
| In article <MPG.1dcca5565ce0eaef989802@netnews.comcast.net>, Lar
<larlfu@comcastBUGS.net> wrote:
> Mice are also very territorial, if you drop one off into a new area it
> is at a great disadvantage not knowing the range, and being under stress
> to begin with probably doesn't have much of a chance competing with the
> established population.
Oh, goody !
My problems are larger vermin, however: rabbits and deer.
--
Mary Loomer Oliver (aka Erilar)
You can't reason with someone whose first line of argument
is that reason doesn't count. Isaac Asimov
Erilar's Cave Annex: http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo
| |
| erilar 2005-10-29, 5:21 pm |
| In article <436303a3_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com>, "Martin"
<martin.reboul@spamfuktiscali.co.uk> wrote:
> I used to catch our 'kitchen mice' (who entered via the cat flap) in a
> humane
> trap (well, humane as long as you checked it regularly - rather like
> Richard
> II's hideous death if you didn't for the unfortunate little beasts), and
> release
> them in the park while taking the dogs out. The local sparrowhawk used to
> love
> me...
Sparrowhawks are obviously GOOD birds!
--
Mary Loomer Oliver (aka Erilar)
You can't reason with someone whose first line of argument
is that reason doesn't count. Isaac Asimov
Erilar's Cave Annex: http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo
| |
| Martin 2005-10-29, 5:21 pm |
|
"erilar" <erilarloFRY@SPAMchibardun.net.invalid> wrote in message
news:erilarloFRY-BCFE9C.14320829102005@news.airstreamcomm.net...
> In article <MPG.1dcca5565ce0eaef989802@netnews.comcast.net>, Lar
> <larlfu@comcastBUGS.net> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, goody !
>
> My problems are larger vermin, however: rabbits and deer.
That would require an enormous amount of 'stickiness'! Even so, it would keep
them fresh for the freezer...
| |
| John_Kane 2005-10-29, 8:21 pm |
|
erilar wrote:
> In article <MPG.1dcca5565ce0eaef989802@netnews.comcast.net>, Lar
> <larlfu@comcastBUGS.net> wrote:
>
>
> Oh, goody !
>
> My problems are larger vermin, however: rabbits and deer.
I thought you were an archer?
Fresh venison chops, roast rabbit, ... humm must be dinner time.
John Kane, Kingston ON Canada
| |
| 95 Thesen 2005-10-30, 1:21 am |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rats are good eating for the Chinese.
I have seen stacks of rat furs for sale in
Hong Kong. The are gutted and flattened
and sold in stacks. I am assuming the skins
were fumigated and sterilised.
David H
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |
| Peter Jason 2005-10-30, 3:21 am |
| Xref: number1.nntp.dca.giganews.com alt.consumers.pest-control:13699 soc.history.medieval:430971
"Martin" <martin.reboul@spamfuktiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:436309f2_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> "Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz> wrote in message
> news:djut7q$bbf$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
>
>
> I must say, I admire your bravery and courage in facing these savage
> creatures -
> even when glued down, mice can be vicious, unpredictable and highly
> dangerous
> foes. Taking them on single handed with only a spoon takes considerable
> skill,
> and is certainly not for the nervous or faint hearted....
>
> You sound like a natural hunter Peter - have you ever ridden with hounds?
> Far
> safer, and the dogs do all the dirty work for you....
>
Thank you. Your stirring comments will steel my resolve to hunt down and
kill many more of these vicious pests.
Yet I am not new to these dangers, and if I may let me relate the first time
I entered the lists against these verminous beasts.
I was four, and lived with my parents in an old country hotel with a very
large and wild back yard
where I would explore all the new sensations to be had, accompanied by the
family fox-terrier named Spot.
One fine day in the yard lying on my back gazing at the clouds I was
distracted by Spot making a loud commotion in a nearby tussock of weeds and
grass.
Investigation revealed Spot in battle with a small furry creature which I
assumed to be a squirrel, so I dragged Spot away and bend down and picked it
up.
Alas, it was a large rat who rewarded its saviour by sinking its teeth into
the skin of my hand, between my thumb and forefinger, where it simply hung
on and could not be dislodged.
I gave way to my thespian ambitions by launching into a performance of fear,
anger, rage, panic and desperation, all of which summoned the very person of
my sainted mother who laid into the melee with a large broom until the rat
became nonplussed and let go to run off into the wilderness.
I was dragged kicking and screaming to the local doctor where the nurse
pulled down my pants and injected a full cartridge of penicillin - which
hurt like hell.
And to ward off any chance of Rat-Bite Fever, this was repeated many times
over the ensuing weeks.
Much later on when I bred Budgies (very randy birds) I made the mistake of
picking up a mouse by the tail from the aviary floor. It gave me a dirty
look and promptly climbed up its tail and sank its teeth into the tip of my
finger-and hung on. I pulled it off with some difficulty.
And so if ever you wish to take on these wild animals please take note of my
experiences, and learn.
| |
| Martin 2005-10-30, 11:21 am |
|
"Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz> wrote in message
news:dk1pev$1dli$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
>
> "Martin" <martin.reboul@spamfuktiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:436309f2_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> Thank you. Your stirring comments will steel my resolve to hunt down and
> kill many more of these vicious pests.
>
> Yet I am not new to these dangers, and if I may let me relate the first time
> I entered the lists against these verminous beasts.
>
> I was four, and lived with my parents in an old country hotel with a very
> large and wild back yard
> where I would explore all the new sensations to be had, accompanied by the
> family fox-terrier named Spot.
>
> One fine day in the yard lying on my back gazing at the clouds I was
> distracted by Spot making a loud commotion in a nearby tussock of weeds and
> grass.
>
> Investigation revealed Spot in battle with a small furry creature which I
> assumed to be a squirrel, so I dragged Spot away and bend down and picked it
> up.
>
> Alas, it was a large rat who rewarded its saviour by sinking its teeth into
> the skin of my hand, between my thumb and forefinger, where it simply hung
> on and could not be dislodged.
>
> I gave way to my thespian ambitions by launching into a performance of fear,
> anger, rage, panic and desperation, all of which summoned the very person of
> my sainted mother who laid into the melee with a large broom until the rat
> became nonplussed and let go to run off into the wilderness.
>
> I was dragged kicking and screaming to the local doctor where the nurse
> pulled down my pants and injected a full cartridge of penicillin - which
> hurt like hell.
>
> And to ward off any chance of Rat-Bite Fever, this was repeated many times
> over the ensuing weeks.
>
> Much later on when I bred Budgies (very randy birds) I made the mistake of
> picking up a mouse by the tail from the aviary floor. It gave me a dirty
> look and promptly climbed up its tail and sank its teeth into the tip of my
> finger-and hung on. I pulled it off with some difficulty.
>
> And so if ever you wish to take on these wild animals please take note of my
> experiences, and learn.
I have much to learn, the kingdom of small furry animals is a cruel, savage and
treacherous place indeed. Like you, I discovered the ingratitude and savagery of
the British Drain Rat, when saving a baby one from an alley cat on the way home
from the pub... ahem. The ungrateful sod looked, sounded and behaved like Speedy
Gonzalez, and showed its appreciation for me saving it from a long and painful
death (at the cost of a couple of nasty scratches) by frantically trying to bite
me. Luckily it was too small to get my finger into its little mouth properly.
Likewise the young squirrel, soaked and exhausted during a hailstorm, lovingly
revived with brandy, sugar and a hairdryer... how I looked forward to having the
little fellow as my faithful, devoted pet, but the bugger had other ideas...
once recovered, I had to take his luxuriously equipped box down to the park
without even opening it, for fear of what he would do... ever heard a squirrel
growl? Very nasty brutes! I was only in my early thirties, it was a cruel
lesson...
Most savage of all however was the mole who I saved from our cat. As the little
fellow hissed menacingly, clutched in my left hand, I was captivated. What a
wonderful creature I thought, how sleek, what bright little eyes, and what
spirit and courage! More than I realised in fact, for when I went to stroke his
dear little head to reassure the poor chap I meant no harm, the treacherous
brute attacked with lightning speed (don't believe the propaganda about moles
being blind!), and was hanging from my right index finger by his fangs like a
tiny velvet pit-bull. No amount of coaxing, cursing, shaking or threats would
induce the blighter to let go, it took an icy cold stream from the kitchen tap
to finally persuade him. I will carry the scars to my grave, and to add insult
to injury, the little bugger single handedly dug a bunker complex that Saddam
Hussein would have been impressed by in the front garden. To be fair, he might
have been a bit annoyed at me for imprisoning him under a big glass bowl so I
could video him - very shy creatures moles, I should perhaps have been more
considerate?
The quack was absolutely fascinated when I went to see him on another matter,
even got a magnifying glass out to look at the wound - "in three decades of
medical practice, I have never seen a mole bite before... very nasty...", then
came a rather worrying lecture about Weil's Disease and lockjaw to depress me
further still.
I think I will carry a spoon with me at all times in future Peter, even though
it is probably a criminal offence (or no doubt soon will be, the way things are
going).
Cheers
Martin
| |
| Peter Jason 2005-10-30, 10:21 pm |
|
<intheswamp00@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1130593811.288107.75870@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Peter, those rodents are nasty, disease carrying pests with no obvious
> (even if you research deeply) redeeming value. I salute you on your
> resolution to exterminate them. There's also a product (kinda pricey)
> that zaps them with an electrical charge...it's called a "Rat-Zapper".
> Works very well, though there are maintenance issues with it. The glue
> traps/snap-traps work great once you figure out a good war-plan to
> follow.
>
> Once you quit seeing the mice, be sure you leave some traps out in the
> most frequented areas...others will come.
>
> I'm not sure what type house you live in, but you might want to inspect
> your utility accesses...the holes where your plumbing and electrical
> connections enter the house. Many times, especially in older
> construction, there are large gaps that the mice will enter in through.
> The better sealing would be to staple in some 1/4" heavy-gauge screen
> to cover these gaps...can be cut with heavy shears/scissors. Once the
> screen is in place you might want to fill the voids with some expanding
> foam (here in the US, "Great Stuff" is a brand that comes to
> mind)....this will help cut down on drafts and help the heating/cooling
> bill some. If your house is built up on piers (rather than on a slab)
> crawl around underneath and look for possible avenues of entry...while
> under the house be sure to look at the area of kitchen
> cabinets...sometimes the carpenters leaves gaps under them because the
> owner "won't see the gaps".
>
> BTW, are you on the north island or the south? Beautiful country down
> there...especially the south island. Ever been to Skippers Canyon?
>
>
Thank you. I am now thoroughly sensitized to these hideous creatures and I
have stocked up on glue pads, traps and bait.
My house (at the moment) is an old Victorian pile with numerous entry points
for mice and other creatures and all I can do is stuff any holes with
aluminium foil & steel wool.
I am new to NZ and am here temporarily and fly back to base in Oz
frequently.
I wonder if it pays to have a cat? Father says that one cat is more trouble
than 50 mice!
| |
| PCOpug 2005-10-31, 3:21 am |
| I wonder if it pays to have a cat? Father says that one cat is more trouble
..
Not all cats are good " mousers " .
| |
| 95 Thesen 2005-10-31, 6:21 am |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello Martin,
Peter's account of a bold Outback rat attack is scary, but
your narrative on the British Drain Rat is frighteningly
medieval. Here are OT observations plus an off topic
request specifically directed to you, Martin....
1. American cats will kill mice but not rats. A cat
that is not hunting out of hunger will expect a mouse
or roach to play with it. Hence the appendages are
bitten off one at a time until the new mate decides to
join "Puss in Boots" for gametime.
2. Americans are discouraged from any sort of contact
with mice on account of the deadly Hanta virus. Putting out
poisoned food for roaches and rodents is not the best strategy.
Any goodies that are doled out, poisoned or not, simply attract
more vermin.
3. The advice about sealing points of entry is good. I should
add that wood rats travel the utility lines at night. They like to
enter buildings thru the roof vents and stacks. So you have to
screen off these items, especially the smoke vents.
Finally, there is a new Sherlock Holmes actor: Rupert Everett.
Here is a quote from the Washington Post news story:
"There's a new TV generation born every 15 years. They never
saw Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. It is
definitely time for a new one, and [Everett] is the man for the
job." Can you comment on the reporter's conclusion?
Cheers, David H
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |
| Julian Richards 2005-10-31, 7:21 am |
| On 31 Oct 2005 02:05:18 -0800, "95 Thesen" <dcholiman@ev1.net> wrote:
>1. American cats will kill mice but not rats. A cat
>that is not hunting out of hunger will expect a mouse
>or roach to play with it. Hence the appendages are
>bitten off one at a time until the new mate decides to
>join "Puss in Boots" for gametime.
The main predator of rats is the fox, who also take pigeons and
rabbits, the other two of Britain's main pests.
--
Julian Richards
medieval "at" richardsuk.f9.co.uk
www.richardsuk.f9.co.uk
Website of "Robot Wars" middleweight "Broadsword IV"
THIS MESSAGE WAS POSTED FROM SOC.HISTORY.MEDIEVAL
| |
| a425couple 2005-10-31, 2:21 pm |
|
"95 Thesen" <dcholiman@ev1.net> wrote in message
> Rats are good eating for the Chinese.
> I have seen stacks of rat furs for sale in
> Hong Kong. The are gutted and flattened
> and sold in stacks. I am assuming the skins
> were fumigated and sterilised. David H
I admit I do not know for sure,
but I sure would not make that assumption!
Just seems history has plenty of cases of bad things
spread by animal hides.
(and you could always say, "sure, sure, the Black
Death and smallpox epidemics were long ago."
but fleas and flea eggs are still not our friends!)
| |
| Julian Richards 2005-10-31, 3:21 pm |
| On Mon, 31 Oct 2005 08:32:35 -0800, "a425couple"
<a425couple@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>"95 Thesen" <dcholiman@ev1.net> wrote in message
>
>I admit I do not know for sure,
>but I sure would not make that assumption!
>
>Just seems history has plenty of cases of bad things
>spread by animal hides.
>(and you could always say, "sure, sure, the Black
>Death and smallpox epidemics were long ago."
>but fleas and flea eggs are still not our friends!)
Quote from the film "Jabberwocky".
"Rats on a stick. Rats on a stick. Get them while they're hot."
--
Julian Richards
medieval "at" richardsuk.f9.co.uk
www.richardsuk.f9.co.uk
Website of "Robot Wars" middleweight "Broadsword IV"
THIS MESSAGE WAS POSTED FROM SOC.HISTORY.MEDIEVAL
| |
| Martin 2005-10-31, 5:21 pm |
|
"95 Thesen" <dcholiman@ev1.net> wrote in message
news:1130753118.831563.51540@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Hello Martin,
> Peter's account of a bold Outback rat attack is scary, but
> your narrative on the British Drain Rat is frighteningly
> medieval. Here are OT observations plus an off topic
> request specifically directed to you, Martin....
>
> 1. American cats will kill mice but not rats. A cat
> that is not hunting out of hunger will expect a mouse
> or roach to play with it. Hence the appendages are
> bitten off one at a time until the new mate decides to
> join "Puss in Boots" for gametime.
Removing their front claws (as is I believe common practice over in the US) does
tend to dent their confidence somewhat. Even so, cats are sensible creatures,
and know their limits. I actually thought that a half squashed 'road rat' I saw
a while ago WAS a cat for a moment, it was so large...
> 2. Americans are discouraged from any sort of contact
> with mice on account of the deadly Hanta virus. Putting out
> poisoned food for roaches and rodents is not the best strategy.
> Any goodies that are doled out, poisoned or not, simply attract
> more vermin.
Hmm... doesn't seem to work on Al Quaida either....
> 3. The advice about sealing points of entry is good. I should
> add that wood rats travel the utility lines at night. They like to
> enter buildings thru the roof vents and stacks. So you have to
> screen off these items, especially the smoke vents.
Oddly enough, here in N London, we seem to get wood mice rather than their
small, grey 'house' cousins. They have the advantage of big (rather than beady)
eyes, and a rather 'Beatrix Potter' like look, which makes it far harder to kill
them. I have a suspicion that the ones I release 'into the wild' do some sort of
milk round of the neighbourhood, and end up at the back door a few months later
bloated with chocolate, peanut butter and other delicious 'bait', having had
several litters of ravenous babies in the meantime.
> Finally, there is a new Sherlock Holmes actor: Rupert Everett.
> Here is a quote from the Washington Post news story:
> "There's a new TV generation born every 15 years. They never
> saw Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. It is
> definitely time for a new one, and [Everett] is the man for the
> job." Can you comment on the reporter's conclusion?
I trust this fellow isn't going to have a go at playing Holmes? Dear me!
http://www.celebrity-pictures-world...everett-008.jpg
Maybe some effeminate rent boy from the Baker Street irregulars? (That's one of
the more butch pictures - look on Google!)
I know that rumours about Holmes and Watson have been rife over the years, but
this is outrageous! I think Brett set the standard - one I can't see ever being
matched or beaten, though Basil may have just had the edge on looks. Of course,
nobody can possibly be Mycroft other than Charles Grey, who sadly is no longer
with us either.
I'd rather see Johnny Depp have a go, or even Michael Caine again... atrocious!
Cheers
Martin
PS, John Cleese once did a fair job...?
| |
| Peter Jason 2005-10-31, 10:21 pm |
|
"95 Thesen" <dcholiman@ev1.net> wrote in message
news:1130753118.831563.51540@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Hello Martin,
> Peter's account of a bold Outback rat attack is scary, but
> your narrative on the British Drain Rat is frighteningly
> medieval. Here are OT observations plus an off topic
> request specifically directed to you, Martin....
>
> 1. American cats will kill mice but not rats. A cat
> that is not hunting out of hunger will expect a mouse
> or roach to play with it. Hence the appendages are
> bitten off one at a time until the new mate decides to
> join "Puss in Boots" for gametime.
>
> 2. Americans are discouraged from any sort of contact
> with mice on account of the deadly Hanta virus. Putting out
> poisoned food for roaches and rodents is not the best strategy.
> Any goodies that are doled out, poisoned or not, simply attract
> more vermin.
>
> 3. The advice about sealing points of entry is good. I should
> add that wood rats travel the utility lines at night. They like to
> enter buildings thru the roof vents and stacks. So you have to
> screen off these items, especially the smoke vents.
>
> Finally, there is a new Sherlock Holmes actor: Rupert Everett.
> Here is a quote from the Washington Post news story:
> "There's a new TV generation born every 15 years. They never
> saw Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes. It is
> definitely time for a new one, and [Everett] is the man for the
> job." Can you comment on the reporter's conclusion?
>
> Cheers, David H
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nevertheless I am making a collection on to DVD of the old movies of the
1940s & 1930s shown on late-night TV.
I have a HD antenna, and a "Videomate DVB-T PCI tuner card in the computer
containing a PentiumIV 2.7gH, 1Gb RAM, and an external HDD just in case.
I download the movies on to the HDD (each movie takes 4.5Gb approx) and then
edit them the next day.
For the editing I use "VideoReDo Plus" (costs $US50 approx) and this
contains a "ad wizard" for finding advertisements which can be deleted, and
a very-handy lip-sync adjuster for those smoky love scenes.
For burning to DVD I use Nero6 (very overrated), and one movie fits on a
4.7Gb DVD, though two shorter movies can be squeezed on to 4.7Gb in
long-play mode.
It is interesting to see how people lived in the 30s, 40s & 50s and how they
fitted out their houses. Some "antiques" I have were in common use then.
| |
| 95 Thesen 2005-11-01, 11:21 pm |
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry, I don't recognise all those English actors who tried the Holmes
personna. I quite agree that Jeremy Brett was the essence of the
darker Sherlock who injected opiates and who would disappear from
better society for days (and nights).
Are you suggesting that Rupert Everett will be a flaming Sherlock who
has "special pals" among the Baker Street Irregulars ? May Gawd spare
us yanks the limp and bent wrist affectations of a bisexual sleuth.
David H
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| |
| Peter Jason 2005-11-01, 11:21 pm |
|
"95 Thesen" <dcholiman@ev1.net> wrote in message
news:1130899676.107754.160820@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Sorry, I don't recognise all those English actors who tried the Holmes
> personna. I quite agree that Jeremy Brett was the essence of the
> darker Sherlock who injected opiates and who would disappear from
> better society for days (and nights).
>
> Are you suggesting that Rupert Everett will be a flaming Sherlock who
> has "special pals" among the Baker Street Irregulars ? May Gawd spare
> us yanks the limp and bent wrist affectations of a bisexual sleuth.
>
> David H
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Better start running. These androgynous cops are becoming à la mode these
days if the ones on USAian TV are any guide.
Old Sherlock seems to reek of "Dorian Gray" atmospherics.
| |
| chuck 2005-11-03, 11:21 am |
| I had mice problem in my garage. I don't like snap trap. It is too messy. I
bought a product called. Rat Zapper. It electrocutes rats or mice. I killed
four mice in two days. I am wondering why these creatures are so stupid. Got
one the first night. Set it up before I went to work and found one dead when
I was back. I am sold on this. The price is pretty steep. I paid $45 at Ace
Hardware. You can try a similar one by Victor. The mouse version costs only
$20. Don't know if it is as good as other ones. Here is the info about these
products. I am not affiliated on any way to these products.
www.ratzapper.com
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...garden&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...garden&v=glance
"Peter Jason" <PJ@PJ.com.nz> wrote in message
news:djmkio$3h6$1@otis.netspace.net.au...
>I have mice in my house and I have put small snap traps everywhere, and
>these I bait with peanut butter.
>
> But the mice are very clever and lick the peanut butter off the triggers
> without setting off the traps!
>
> I saw one doing this once, and they can lick the triggers clean overnight.
>
> I have been careful to pick traps with hair-triggers but it makes no
> difference, except that they are much harder to set.
>
> Please help, Peter.
>
>
| |
|
| On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 11:02:26 +1000, Peter Jason wrote:
> I have mice in my house and I have put small snap traps everywhere, and
> these I bait with peanut butter.
>
> But the mice are very clever and lick the peanut butter off the triggers
> without setting off the traps!
Twenty years ago when I made the same discovery I had a sick sensation
that these little dirtballs could actually be so clever.
Solution:
Buy the traps where the trigger is a piece of metal the bends over and
ends with teeth. Buy some beef jerky. Cut a small piece of the beef
jerky that includes the 'skin' and place it under the teeth and use pliers
to bend the teeth into the skin of the jerky. The smell of the jerky
draws them well, there is no way in hell they can get any without setting
off the trap *and* they are very dead by the time you find them.
- Bob
|
|
|
|
|