BS: Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie

Subject: RE: BS: Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie
From: Genie
Date: 02 Feb 13 - 03:46 AM

I hate to kill the sweet little furry rodents too. I've lived in the same house since 1980 and never seen any mice here until about 3 years ago. My cats would sometimes make presents of dead ones, but about 3 yr. ago, I rescued a couple of voles (pretty sure they were voles, not mice) who were being tortuosly toyed with by my calico kitty, and I got a terrarium for them to live in. It was fun watching them romp on their wheel, etc.
But one day, when I was cleaning their living space, one escaped. (The other died rather unexpectedly when I was away for about a week, despite my having left enough water and, I think, enough food for that time.
I've always wondered if the infestation I've seen over the past 2-3 years has stemmed from that one vole/mouse— the one I rescued from my housemoggie several years ago.
As much as I empathize wi' th' eee, sleekit cow'rin' tim'rous beasties, there's come a point where it has to be me (able to breathe and not be ill) v. them.
i've tried some "humane" traps - only to find a wee mousie dead within, probably having bit the dust after days of dehydration - and some snap traps, which probably in most cases (sad to say, maybe not all) dispatched the wee furry beastie forthwith.
If I can find a feasible way to spare the wee cow'rin' tim'rous beasties yet maintain liveable premises within my own house, I'm very much open to such information.
But for now, I'm afraid I must go with one of the less Idealistic solutions
I really wish that were not so.

Subject: RE: BS: Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 02 Feb 13 - 05:03 AM

LOL gnu, might be a great alternative!
Genie, I'm glad I'm not the only one with this dilemma. I know full well we can't live with beasties in the house, but I just hate killing things. Like your calico pussycat, my three are real terrors. They view all wildlife as so many toys for their amusement. My neighbours on both sides are real country people born and bred and they think I'm bonkers for worrying about killing vermin. But I've travelled the world and watched wildlife closely, including African snakes, scorpions and weird and wonderful insects. I've never wished to kill any of them, just loved observing in wonder.
Now, here is my dark secret... I cannot abide...SPIDERS! And(hanging head in deep shame) I get my husband to kill them immediately while I have a hysterical panic in the next room. Oh dear, God will punish me.