Yesterday, I went out into the garden to harvest the rest of my winter carrots from under one of my quick hoops. Not surprisingly, about 40% of the carrots (Nantes) had been munched on by my nemesis (strike 1). Then I looked under my other quick hoop to find what used to be a spinach bed (strike 2). The only thing I have left right now is the spinach pictured above. So I did the only thing I could and placed a trap next to one of the spinach plants. I didn't have much hope as all of my traps have been left untouched...
...until now. Tonight, I came face to face with what used to be my mortal enemy - a really big white bellied mouse. To be honest, I felt a huge sense of relief mixed in with a bit of guilt. I guess the Havahart humane rodent trap I ordered from Amazon today will have to be used on the next intruder. I'm still amazed by how much damage was done in a relatively short period of time. I guess I can now transplant my early Spring greens without too much stress.
It's never fun, is it. At least you got him and hopefully he didn't let any of his friends in on the secret first.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm getting hard hearted about the rodents and their destructive ways, the only good rat (mouse, gopher, etc.) is a dead one, especially if it has a belly full of my veggies. My husband still likes to tease me about the "kill sheet" that I tacked up in my tool closet at our last house, it had over 20 gophers crossed off on it. That was only 6 months worth and it didn't include the ones that the cat got.... I wonder about myself sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI must agree with Michelle. I got my first gopher of the season two weeks ago. Luckily, as far as vegetable pests go, that's as bad as I get. Although, come June, the rattlesnakes will start showing up. Good times.
ReplyDeleteI don't want creatures to suffer - but if they are invading my garden or home, I will intervene as needed and that includes a death penalty as needed. I am glad you caught the culprit and hopefully the spring plantings will be left intact as a result.
ReplyDeleteI'm in full agreement. Death to any varmint that cannot be trained (unless it's my Annie and Otto). I notice there are some holes in my garden that weren't there when I left, but I'm sure there will be a walnut or two or ten in there somewhere. With no dogs here all winter, the squirrels have nothing to fear.
ReplyDeleteGood thing you got one and I hope it is the only one around. I wouldn't feel bad about killing them, they can product up to 11 babies four times a year, spread disease and worst of all end up inside.
ReplyDeleteFew years ago one mouse got into our house and stayed there for a whole week (as we go there only on weekends). The mess he made cannot be described... It’s amazing what a small mouse can eat: furniture, walls... We killed him with poison. We spent next two weekends cleaning and sterilizing everything.
ReplyDeleteI just hope that you had only one mouse and not more...
I feel the same way when I have to trap chipmunks. I will usually accept a small bit of damage from them, but when they start eating every tomato they have to be controlled. Luckily I found that bird netting seems to work on my tomatoes. I wrap the bottom foot of the cage and they stay out.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting the varmint. Keep the traps out in case he had friends.
ReplyDeleteArgh! I've actually watched as something (gopher no doubt) ate one of my plants from below the soil. It literally sank and fell over before my very eyes. Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteThat said, would gopher meat count as a local food? There's one way to keep the problem in check;)
congrats on your first kill, lol!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Thomas. You showed that sucker!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first successful hunt. Keep those traps out since the rest of the family is probably close by...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need a garden kitty!
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