so the pest control guy my building goes through uses glue traps for mice. D: Our eighbours across the hall have a mice phobia apparetly, so when a couple of mice got caught in said glue trap, they asked Jesters and I to dispose of them for them.
But the poor things were still alive. ;.; the first one struggled to the point that his one foot is torn up and bleeding, and his tail looks like it's broken in 3 places. When we got there, he was stuck all down one side. I managed to free him with some olive oil and q-tips. The second one struggled to the point that for a second i though he had torn his torso open, D: I cried. Turned out it was just his forearm, and it looks like its just raw skin, so he should be okay. I had to place a clear cup over him while i worked the glue around his feet with the olive oil, he was struggling so much. :(
I didn't have the heart to just set them free while they're injured like that, so we picked up a small cage and we'll let them get better before letting them go. anyone have any experience with mice? We only plan on housing them until their injuries heal.
T_____T I hate glue traps SO MUCH. I would let them stay with you until they heal up and then take them somewhere away from people and free them.
Oh bless you for your kindness ;-; <3
As for keeping mice, they're easy.. For food you can use a mouse block at any old pet store. vegetarian or low-protein senior dog food also work great as a temporary solution, and pet stores give out sample bags for free! But kibble costs money so if they're only gonna be with you for a few weeks you can make them a blend of veggies, seeds/nuts and dry brown rice. Dark leafy greens (but not spinach or chard as they contain enzyme inhibitors) will help with a speedy recovery. A lot of sites say to feed them meat but they don't need it. Also make sure there's somewhere in the cage for them to hide like a re purposed little box- don't use metal coffee cans as some rodents are silly enough to nibble them and get sick. As for bedding a great temporary solution is to just run some white paper through a shredder and use that, or you can buy stuff of course. Aspen is good. Don't use cedar or pine.
That's all I really know. I'm sure other people have tips to add too!
Awesome work! Insta karma boosts for you!
just the sight of the little guys struggling for their lives made me cry. Jesters wasn't sure we'd be able to get them off the traps, it was terrible. I'm pretty sure the one guy has a broken foot; he's been moving around the cage and seems to be dragging it behind him, :(
They look pretty small, like they might be juveniles, too. I read somewhere that male mice ted to have pretty prominent testicles, and these two don't, but i guess if they're juveniles then they wouldn't have fully mature sexual organs, would they?
thanks for the tips though, :) i'll probably give them a little bit of kibble(we actually have a dog so it's not a big deal) for now. see how they're doing tomorrow. I'll be so upset if they don't survive the night, D:
oh noes, one of them escaped! D:
Well, I guess that means he's healthy enough to survive. I just hope he gets past the cats.
If you're having a mouse problem and do find yourself requiring a way to humanely capture the fuzzballs, I would suggest one of these:
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Outdoor-Living/Yard-Maintenance/Insect-Animal-Cntrls/Animal-Controls/Traps/TRAP-MOUSE-TIP/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5442078?Ntt=tip+trap (http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Outdoor-Living/Yard-Maintenance/Insect-Animal-Cntrls/Animal-Controls/Traps/TRAP-MOUSE-TIP/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5442078?Ntt=tip+trap)
They work on an incredibly ironic system of capturing the mice, using their own weight to trap them. Food (peanut butter with some sesame seeds is a good pick) is put at the very back of the tilted part. When the mouse goes in, the door swings down and the legs move under the trap, causing them to be pinned beneath the trap by the mouse's own weight if it runs toward the exit.
I've used them in the past and they have been effective in removing my mouse troubles.
oh no, we don't have mice problems. Its the people across the hall. mice are scared of our apartment, we have three cats and a dog. unfortunately we don't have a say in how the pest control guy deals with them. But even those spring loaded traps that snap their necks are more humane. at least they die quickly in those, instead of tearing themselves apart trying to get free, and slowly starving.
I usually checked my traps every day, and usually the amount of peanut butter used was more than a mouse could consume in that amount of time, so I would argue about the humane aspect if the traps are properly monitored. Humane traps are not ones you place and forget; they need proper observation.
no i meant the spring loaded traps are more humane than the glue traps. If you're going to kill an animal at least have the decency to do it as quickly as possible.
The mouse that hasn't escaped looks like it might just be a juvenile; it's pretty tiny. would fit in a teaspoon with no problems. If it survives the week, I don't know if it'll heal well enough to be set free again. his foot's in really bad shape, :/ if I could get him to sit still log eough i sight i'd post pics. poor little guy. ;.;
I've had a field mouse or two for the last couple of years. They got into my apartment, so I trapped them and got an enclosure for them. They seemed to like my oatmeal when they got into my cupboard, so that's what I feed them mostly. Mice eat seeds in the wild, for the most part.
We named the little guy "Socrates" ;D
Awww, poor babies! D: I would have done the same thing, too Q.Q hope they get better soon D: post pics! post pics! and lol, that's cute :D
It's a surprise these fucking hideous things aren't illegal already, with the multitude of more humane methods available.
I do not think there is any worse cruelty pertaining to animals than a glue trap with a live animal stuck on it for a long period of time. It's in fear, it shits itself, rips itself to pieces and eventually starves to death.
And this is how people kill animals? Find it acceptable to do something so unnecessary and barbaric?
What a sick world we live in. I hate people.
You should raise hell with your neighbours, tell them calmly and rationally how bad those traps are, and to convince that idiot pest controller to use a more humane method of extermination. Failing that, you can tell them to go fuck themselves and have better time to spend than with sub-human filth.
I'd have to take up the issues with the building manager & company, as they're the ones who hired the pest control. Also, I don't think there's a calm ad rational way to "raise hell" :p
Unfortunately, Socrates got out of the cage late last night (around 4 am -- I was catching up on Doctor who,) and Rain's cat got him. :/ judging from the wounds, it was quick and relatively painless, especially when compared to his ordeal on the glue trap. I laid him to rest under one of the roots of the tree outside our patio. At least his foot isn't i pain anymore. I'm not sure he would've gotten better in the long run anyhow, as his tail was pretty badly messed up. I got a pretty good look at it after retrieving him from the cat.
:'( poor little mices.
: GarryL June 12, 2011, 11:11:07 -06:00
It's a surprise these fucking hideous things aren't illegal already, with the multitude of more humane methods available.
I do not think there is any worse cruelty pertaining to animals than a glue trap with a live animal stuck on it for a long period of time. It's in fear, it shits itself, rips itself to pieces and eventually starves to death.
And this is how people kill animals? Find it acceptable to do something so unnecessary and barbaric?
What a sick world we live in. I hate people.
Was just going to say this. Glue traps are the worst way to do "pest" control. >:C
Should have just put the poor thing out of its misery when you caught him. They don't survive long in captivity due to the stress, in hindsight humanely killing it would have been kinder.
that's not necessarily true. He was young enough that he probably would have been fine, had the cat not gotten him. They *can* die from the stress in captivity, but they don't always. I did do my research first, tyvm. >:/
But if the animal was that badly injured, it may have succumbed from its wounds eventually. What were you intending to do afterwards, letting it go or keeping it? Letting it go with its foot broken, it is as good as dead in the wild. And keeping a wild animal as a pet isn't really the best idea. In the condition you said it was in, most likely the animal would not survive long in the wild. Injured animals usually don't, especially those that rely on speed to survive - a limping mouse is a very easy target for a predator.
Your heart is in the right place though, but I don't necessarily believe keeping it was the most humane thing to do. It's just added stress to the animal, it doesn't know that you have kind intentions and will try everything to escape for fear of its life (which it did). Were it me, I would have killed it humanely, to spare it from any more fear or suffering.
you really don't know when to drop it do you.
Totally agree with GarryL.
yes, but you're a troll who likes to get me riled up so your opinion is worth less than my toenail.
Well I suppose that's better than torturing small animals.
Ok, sorry, but I love animals and all, but when it comes to an injured wild animal, either call up the SPCA and see what they suggest to do, or kill it quick and as painless as possible. Or feed it to someone's pet snake. Whatever.
I admire your commitment to preserving life, but it comes down to the idea of quality versus quantity - Will keeping the wild mouse locked in a cage until it perhaps is cured of its afflictions better for it or is giving it a quick and in my opinion 'dignified' end the better choice?
: EmoFox June 13, 2011, 12:16:40 -06:00
you really don't know when to drop it do you.
Drop what?
I am making perfectly valid points. What don't you agree with?
Do you know what else oil does? It screws up their fur's temperature regulation... that's why pouring oil on them on a glue trap is a BAD idea. It's hard to clean off unless you make the time and effort to wash it down, which would be impossible because it'd probably defend itself or die of a heart attack. You must remember that it isn't a pet, it's a wild animal, not used to humans. Keeping it in a cage, IMO, is just causing it more stress. And if it broke its foot, it'd have a permanent limp - no matter how long you think it will heal, it'll have that handicap for the rest of its life. Something that doesn't bode well for it in the wild.
And thanks for the rude PM by the way. I'm not doing anything here to slight you, I'm just trying to give you some advice. I've maintained a civil tone throughout, and you decide to attack me now? Is that how you work?
Whoa this is getting out of hand here.
GarryL: Yes you're making valid points but examine what you're saying and the effect it has on others. No matter how right you are there is no need to be pushy about it when its clearly bothering someone. The result of this is someone feeling attacked, losing their patience and being unpleasant towards you. Also do not bring private messages in public they are private for a reason so lets keep it that way.
EmoFox: I understand you felt uncomfortable with GarryL's statements but there is no need to be hateful towards him (I do apologize because I shouldn't of known about it in the first place or if its even the truth). This is just a friendly tip so that you don't get caught up in this kind of needless stress :hug:
I can't really put it any more nicely. He/she needs to grow a thicker skin and stop assuming that a disagreement with someone means a personal assault.
Isn't it kind of unnecessary to reprimand her for something that is already dealt with? .-. It's hurtful. It's not advice anymore because the situation is no longer present.
Maybe it's time to stop feigning concern and compassion for what this lady does with a rescued baby mouse while you munch on other dead animals that were killed and raised in much harsher conditions (eggs: http://www.humanefood.ca/battery.html (http://www.humanefood.ca/battery.html) pigs: http://www.humanefood.ca/sowstalls.html (http://www.humanefood.ca/sowstalls.html)). Oh and what about the rats and mice and bunnies that were used to test pretty much every single ingredient in your medicine cabinet and shower toiletries.
Have some bloody perspective. She was just trying to help.
: GarryL June 13, 2011, 11:08:26 -06:00
that's why pouring oil on them on a glue trap is a BAD idea.
I do believe she never said anything about just pouring the oil onto them, she used a q-tip and gently dabbed it along the parts of fur stuck to the glue trap.
And I have to agree with Zinny, this is getting out of hand. Do consider EmoFox's emotions, the advice is welcomed, but instead of throwing out grusome stuff that you think she should do, the least we could all do is be more supportive of what she's doing, even I would do what she's done. Wild or not, it's always nature to help an injured animal.
(post would have been posted before the last two done by Dinsu and GarryL, but I got called to help my mom with something)
The issue is not about being nice.
: GarryL June 13, 2011, 11:08:26 -06:00
: EmoFox June 13, 2011, 12:16:40 -06:00
you really don't know when to drop it do you.
Drop what?
I am making perfectly valid points. What don't you agree with?
(...)
You are crossing a line here, no matter how nice you are trying to be you're becoming pushy and annoying. This is giving fox unnecessary stress to deal with. Stop trying to come out with as the "I am right" person and just drop the subject.
: GarryL June 14, 2011, 12:33:38 -06:00
I can't really put it any more nicely. He/she needs to grow a thicker skin and stop assuming that a disagreement with someone means a personal assault.
K first of all, *points to little side bar* can you read? "emofox needs cuddles SHE does"? yes. I am female. thank you for noticing.
Secondly, you're making assumptions based off of this topic and this topic alone. you don't know me, so therefore you have NO IDEA what I'm like.
YOU, sir, need to learn some common decency and at least read people's profiles before making ridiculous assumptions about them.