Sanctity of life, and poops.

[cyrano]

The weather is getting colder in Idaho, which means mice are coming out of the fields and into our houses. We store bulk dog/cat food, books, laundry, and other mouse-popular features, in the rec room/laundry room. Last year we set out spring traps that solved the problem in a rather gruesome but concise manner. This year my mom brought home poison traps and glue traps. We opted against the poison after I explained about collateral damage and unintended consequences. And when I talked about the prolonged nature of glue traps, and how animals gnaw off their own feet while they slowly die there, I thought we'd decided not to go that route either. But apparently the plan turned out to be 'put out the glue trap without exposing the glue' and this morning we had three new friends rattling around inside the trap. Her advice was to open up the trap and empty it into the dumpster. After I made certain she knew these were not dead mice, I asked for confirmation that the plan was to drop them into the trash bin to either be crushed or starved or taken on a fun ride to the dump (the latter seems unlikely). That indeed was the plan.
I understand that co-existing with the mice is not really an option. I understand that relocating them isn't really an option. I understand not wanting to acknowledge the inevitable products of that conflict. But I don't know as I can countenance this. I've told her I'd prefer going back to the spring traps. While she's getting her shower tomorrow I may spring the three in the bin.

Comments

[missroserose]

I feel you on this. Nonharming is a noble philosophy to live by, but (as in any relationship), boundaries are important for peaceful coexistence, and sometimes enforcing those boundaries proves difficult.

[zdashamber]

You may recall that I have a lot of knowledge on the state of the art in kindly killing mice. The kindest death is very slowly piping in CO2. Second kindest, IMO, is quick mechanical death. I love Tomkat for rats, and it's probably just as good for mice: https://www.amazon.com/Tomcat-0361510-Mouse-Snap-Traps/dp/B01N4GVAP9

Easy to clean, easy to set, easy to reuse.

[cyrano]

This is excellent. Sooner or later, I know I'd break a finger on those standard traps we have.