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Zeedman
Garden Master
Nature does have a way of overcoming any obstacle we put in its way. Sometimes I think that all we have on our side is persistence.
Mice in machinery
- Thread starter Zeedman
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Zeedman
Garden Master
I really like that idea!
Those copper pads may be the perfect solution to mouse-proofing small engines., and I wouldn't have to worry if I forget to pull them all out prior to operation.
Dirtmechanic
Garden Addicted
I have tried the others, even stainless steel.I really like that idea!
flowerbug
Garden Master
i really have no problem with nature and animals doing their own thing as long as they don't mess with my sleep!
Dirtmechanic
Garden Addicted
Scorpions? While you sleep? Personally I cannot hang a leg out of bed just knowing those nasties are about.
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Zeedman
Garden Master
I wouldn't have a problem with sharing... but more often than not, herbivores will take everything unless stopped. Because I save my own seed, a total crop loss can potentially mean loss of that variety - and some of what I grow is irreplaceable.
And damage to property, while unavoidable, is never acceptable.
Living in a semi-rural area means that I share my property with a fairly substantial animal population. I appreciate the strip of untamed forest on my back lot line, and being able to observe Nature in my back yard; so for me, killing is a last resort. My preferred methods of dealing with animal pests are to fence them out, drive them out, discourage them from causing damage, or encourage natural predators. For the most part, those methods are successful. When possible, I will trap & relocate larger animals. Mice are really the only animals require stronger measures, or they would overrun everything.
digitS'
Garden Master
It's probably an especially good thing for gardeners to share information about how to deal with pests even outside the garden. Hopefully, pests stay outside of the house. Note to self: you're gonna have to decide to throw away some of those gluten-free flours sitting on kitchen shelves for months!
I haven't been sure about what to do with outdoor mice. About 20 years ago there came a late winter thaw and I found 2 dead cats under "stuff" in my backyard. Yuck! Why? I knew that they were my new neighbor's cats because I'd seen them over there, 2 doors down. I buried them quietly, thinking that he might jump to conclusions if he knew that they had ventured into my yard during their final hours. Why that had happened, I hadn't a clue.
A couple years later, I wondered if they had eaten poisoned mice. By that time, I couldn't remember if it might have been me setting out those odd boxes. Traps have been very inconsistent in catching mice and I have tried traps plenty of times, especially in years since the incident with the cats. @seedcorn advised me some time ago that these mouse poisons are "metabolized" in the mice and not persistent - if I understood him correctly. I put out some bait this fall, behind boxes in the carport and in the garage. In the carport, I picked them up after about 3 days.
I don't hate the neighborhood cats and even enjoy seeing them around. The ones around this summer are still around.
Steve
I haven't been sure about what to do with outdoor mice. About 20 years ago there came a late winter thaw and I found 2 dead cats under "stuff" in my backyard. Yuck! Why? I knew that they were my new neighbor's cats because I'd seen them over there, 2 doors down. I buried them quietly, thinking that he might jump to conclusions if he knew that they had ventured into my yard during their final hours. Why that had happened, I hadn't a clue.
A couple years later, I wondered if they had eaten poisoned mice. By that time, I couldn't remember if it might have been me setting out those odd boxes. Traps have been very inconsistent in catching mice and I have tried traps plenty of times, especially in years since the incident with the cats. @seedcorn advised me some time ago that these mouse poisons are "metabolized" in the mice and not persistent - if I understood him correctly. I put out some bait this fall, behind boxes in the carport and in the garage. In the carport, I picked them up after about 3 days.
I don't hate the neighborhood cats and even enjoy seeing them around. The ones around this summer are still around.
Steve
Ridgerunner
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I have trouble finding information I trust on this Steve. Many of the articles I find are based on emotion instead of science. Even the science based ones often use language I can't understand. They are not writing for the layman, they are writing for other specialists that do understand the jargon. I'll admit I may not be as patient as I once was digging through all this.
My understanding is that it depends on which poison you use. Some do not metabolize that quickly in the mouse or in the cat. They can easily be passed up the food chain. Some do metabolize faster so are not that much of a threat. Then there is dosage. The amount of poison required to kill a mouse might not phase a cat because it is so much bigger. So how many mice does the cat eat in what time frame and how fast does the poison metabolize in either of them? Some poisons have been banned (usually by the state) because they pose a threat further up the food chain.
Then there is the problem of the cat (or dog) eating the poison directly. When I use poison for mice or rats I take great pains to assure that a cat or dog cannot get to it.
I remember a story told by someone I think was telling the truth. Their 100 pound dog ate some rat poison so they called the CDC. The CDC wanted to know which poison it was, how much they ate, and the size of the dog. They said it would not bother that dog and it didn't. If it had been a little ankle biter that could have been different. If that had been a different poison it could have been different.
The way you found those cats I don't think you know how close together they died. Could it have been a bobcat stashing them to come back to eat later? It is curious that both would die on your property, especially if it was from eating your poisoned mice. You'd think they would not die that quickly from that. Maybe it being winter they got into some antifreeze. I think it is something you will never know what really happened.
My understanding is that it depends on which poison you use. Some do not metabolize that quickly in the mouse or in the cat. They can easily be passed up the food chain. Some do metabolize faster so are not that much of a threat. Then there is dosage. The amount of poison required to kill a mouse might not phase a cat because it is so much bigger. So how many mice does the cat eat in what time frame and how fast does the poison metabolize in either of them? Some poisons have been banned (usually by the state) because they pose a threat further up the food chain.
Then there is the problem of the cat (or dog) eating the poison directly. When I use poison for mice or rats I take great pains to assure that a cat or dog cannot get to it.
I remember a story told by someone I think was telling the truth. Their 100 pound dog ate some rat poison so they called the CDC. The CDC wanted to know which poison it was, how much they ate, and the size of the dog. They said it would not bother that dog and it didn't. If it had been a little ankle biter that could have been different. If that had been a different poison it could have been different.
The way you found those cats I don't think you know how close together they died. Could it have been a bobcat stashing them to come back to eat later? It is curious that both would die on your property, especially if it was from eating your poisoned mice. You'd think they would not die that quickly from that. Maybe it being winter they got into some antifreeze. I think it is something you will never know what really happened.
digitS'
Garden Master
The way you wrote that, suggests that the emotions may not be understandable either.
. Man, I'm with you on that . There is a lot of selfish, close minded thinking out there ... But, some folks have more knowledge and some, more compassion, and I'd be happy to find the common ground between them.I can report that it doesn't seem likely that I poisoned either the neighborhood cats OR the neighborhood squirrels. The bait inside the garage is still there and appears to be untouched. Thankfully, I haven't reason to believe any rodent has shown up lately in this 100+ year old house. I haven't really made friends with any of the 3 cats that live nearby but, mark my words, I appreciate cats and if'n backup is needed, I know their number.
Steve
flowerbug
Garden Master
i don't live someplace where those are about. a well-sealed house is important for many reasons here. just to keep the cold out let alone the bugs and animals that would otherwise want to take up residence.
