Mouse in My Apartment: Looking for Humane Traps

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding humane traps for a mouse that has entered an apartment. Participants share their experiences and suggestions regarding various trapping methods, express concerns about the mouse's potential health risks, and debate the ethics of different trapping techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks recommendations for effective and affordable humane traps for a mouse.
  • Another suggests that most live catch traps are reusable and inexpensive, while cautioning against sticky traps due to their inhumane nature.
  • A participant describes a specific humane trap design involving a spring-loaded teeter board and various bait options.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential for rabies in rodents, emphasizing caution when handling them.
  • Some participants share humorous anecdotes about their experiences with mice and discuss the idea of patching holes to prevent re-entry.
  • A homemade trap design using a 5-gallon bucket and a beer can is proposed, highlighting its effectiveness and low cost.
  • There is a strong opposition to sticky traps, with multiple participants sharing negative experiences and ethical concerns about their use.
  • Some participants argue for more lethal methods, suggesting that conventional traps may be more humane than prolonged suffering from sticky traps.
  • Disagreement exists regarding the nature of the rodent, with some asserting it is a rat and others maintaining it is a mouse, leading to differing opinions on how to handle the situation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions, with some advocating for humane traps while others argue for more lethal methods. There is no consensus on the best approach, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the most ethical way to deal with the mouse.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about the mouse's behavior and health risks, as well as the effectiveness of different trapping methods. There are also references to personal experiences that may influence their perspectives.

  • #31
Jimmy Snyder said:
I caught the critter (are we allowed to use that word on PF?) and took him or her (I'm in favor of women's rights for groundhogs, why should we humans have all the aggravation) to the nature preserve nearby for release. I let it go near a marsh, but it wasn't interested in water and made a beeline for the road, just going about its legal groundhog business. My experience is that they smell very bad, but I've read that they smell very good and it may be following its nose back this way. I probably should have painted its tail so I could recognize it if I caught it again. Although I don't know why I would need to know that. What am I supposed to do if I do catch it again? Paint its tail a different color?

I am offended by the use of the use of the derogatory word "critter" to describe Marmota Monax. For shame... and on PF of all places. And if you asked the Marmota Monax how it smelled I bet it would say "Just as I should".

:-p
 
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  • #32
Pattonias said:
I am offended by the use of the use of the derogatory word "critter" to describe Marmota Monax. For shame... and on PF of all places. And if you asked the Marmota Monax how it smelled I bet it would say "Just as I should".

:-p
I wouldn't hesitate to derogue a ground hog and its smell, obligatory or not. However, I was concerned about the creationist angle.
 
  • #33
turbo-1 said:
My brother-in-law makes live traps out of 5-gallon buckets. He takes an empty beer can and pierces it with a coat-hanger and suspends it over the center of the bucket. He smears the can with peanut butter and provides a board "ramp" so the mice can get close to the can. When they climb onto the can for the peanut butter, the can spins and dumps them in the bucket. It's cheap and it works.

After the scrutiny the idea got here, maybe your bro-in-law could submit it for patent #4,669,217?
 

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