We Have a Mouse… Where?!

Mice seem to be everywhere in our house during the cold months of Connecticut. My heart goes out to these poor, little creatures. After all, they’re just trying to stay warm. Over the years, we’ve found them in two usual spots. But recently, a mouse turned up in the strangest place yet.

First, they’ve always loved the attic—Many nights, especially in winter, I lie in bed and hear a little mouse party up above. Strangely, the soft, scrabbling noise of these little critters doesn’t bother me. They’re just trying to survive. That said, the other day I had an exterminator come and check it out. I wanted to make sure it was mice and not a family of wolverines.

He confirmed, it was indeed, mice. Apparently, they love nesting in the insulation. I know, ick to many people, but I’m one of the few women who don’t go running and screaming from tiny rodents. Although I find them cute, enough was enough. The bait he used will drive them outside and now that the weather is warmer, I don’t feel guilty.

And yes, there’s the kitchen cupboards—This is where I get less tolerant of my four-legged friends. Sometimes I’ll see droppings in a kitchen drawer and know that mice have raided the pantry. I suspect they’re lured by the smell of potholders with their hints of something yummy pulled from the oven. I’ve had to be very careful keeping these items clean and buying new ones over the years.

Once again, I called the exterminator, who left bait to drive the mice outside. All has been clear, but when we get to November next year, I’ll be on the lookout.

But then, there was the strangest spot of all—Recently I went to get my car checked when the mechanic gave this odd, unexpected message: “You have signs of mice in your air filter.” Say what? Mice are now in my car? Good God, the thought of a mouse running around my engine was too much, even for me. What if it popped onto my lap when I was driving?

The mouse must have gotten in when the car was parked in the garage. I heard this happens mostly to junked vehicles. Although I don’t drive long distances, I drive each day. How did a mouse get into my air filter?

One thing I’ve learned over the years—these creatures are wily, tenacious, and apparently, creative. Nothing stops them. Not insulation, wood, not even car metal.

Sigh. That’s life in the country. If we lived in the city, we’d have cockroaches, much less cute. If I have to choose a pest, I’ll pick the mice.

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