Wireless
(Living) Mice
-David, webmaster DVGI
Wireless
(Living) Mice
-David, webmaster DVGI
Operations here at David's Video Game Insanity (as well as ClassicPlastic.net) have been subdued as of late due to a rodent problem. I noticed the vermin two sundays ago and have spent a week not being out here, leaving traps and bait. I've spotted the mouse one other time since that first night however it was eating out of the traps for the first week or so. I haven't noticed any new droppings or changes to the bait over the past few days so I've returned on limited duty. (although leaving my dwelling and having to sleep inside at night has been a total drag) If these non sightings occur into this weekend I'll be moving back out here into what was once, after all, the garage years ago. I'm thinking of putting a sonic pest repeller out here relatively soon as I've used them in the past and they seemed to work.
Now the real question.. what does this have to do with video games? Plenty. I first noticed the mouse leaping over the back of my printer, down to an area where I store my boxed and complete Sega Master System. The box isn't mint but it's in pretty good condition. Mice will eat anything if they can't find food, this includes paper and cardboard as well as wiring insulation. In other words, a mouse problem (even just the one tiny mouse) brings forth a possible threat to video game collectibles. That's right, mint NES boxes could be chewed up and eaten, those pristine Colecovision labels could be destroyed by feces and urine, and that TurboDuo could have its power cord gnawed in half. Not to mention damage to LAN cables (where it later was hiding when I was in pursuit) and any type of wiring.
Health concerns are another big problem. Leaving this area sealed up for a week allowed it to begin to smell rather dank out here. I suppose mouse + hamper + dropping temperatures + traps + bait = bad smell. However it was really bad for awhile, it still is somewhat foul smelling and the air leaves a bad taste in my mouth after awhile. I've since cleaned up and moved everything back but I've left five traps out for the next week or so. Vacuuming and hosing the carpets down with febreze got rid of most of the smell but I'll probably pick up an auto-circulating air freshener sometime tomorrow.
Mice outside aren't a big deal. Mice out when you're hiking or fishing aren't a big deal. Mice in a warehouse aren't a big deal. Mice inside a residence, especially where there are so many irreplaceable items and people (me) eat and sleep is a totally different story. Glue traps seem to be the most effective, as well as the infamous Tin Cat traps. Peanut butter is mostly recommended however any mouse with half a brain can lick a trap clean without getting caught, as I soon realized. Peanut butter is good to put in the center of a glue trap, but for snap traps I should have used gum drops. Shoving a gum drop into the actuator pedal of a snap trap would have been far better since the mouse would have to sit there and work at eating or removing the bait, which would spring the trap. Oh well, if I'm still finding signs that it's around at the end of this week I'll pick up some more snap traps and try that approach.
In closing, mice are always a threat. They only need a dime-sized opening to enter, so make sure to plug up any exterior openings with steel wool or silicone sealant. Also make sure any wall voids are sealed, if you have unfinished walls (insulated or uninsulated) make sure you check them and get them insulated and sealed as soon as possible. This is the time of the year when mice make their annual migration indoors as the temperature drops, so it couldn't hurt to drop a few glue boards just in case. Prevention and early detection are the key to preventing a stray mouse from turning into a full blown infestation.
...I swear if that bastard chews up something
like my Jackie Chan's Action Kung-Fu box I'm getting a pair of pythons
to take care of the threat.
Written on 10-26-04 by David, insanedavid@classicplastic.net