Pest problems after the quake?

[jnelson]

This might be a shot in the dark, but has anyone else in the NY/NJ/CT area had sudden issues with insects/rodents since the earthquake yesterday?

Shortly after I got home last night (around 5 PM), for the first time in the 8 months at my current apartment, I saw a mouse scurrying through my dining room and foyer. I saw what I suspect was the same mouse again a few hours later (around 9 PM).

I take out the garbage on a nightly basis, only eat in the kitchen/dining room and keep things tidy in general. Our building has an exterminator that comes once a month and checks/sprays common areas as well as apartments that request it (I request it every month as a precaution). The exterminator just came last Saturday so I doubt it is an issue with the pesticides.

I know that natural disasters cause animals to do strange things so I am wondering if this is a one time occurrence or if I can expect to see this more often in the future :sigh:

 

[Josh]

You might also want to consider if there is any major construction in your neighborhood.

 

[dherrera83]

Maybe its from your neighbor... Get a cat... lol

 

[jnelson]

There's construction about a block away but that's been going for a while so I figured it wasn't a problem. Could be it though.

And I was honestly thinking of asking to "rent" a cat in the WTB section LOL

 

[Bryceandmandy]

In case of flooding follow rats

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

If you cannot "rent" or borrowed a cat, consider adopting one from my neighborhood. There were one or two, my neighbor took them to receive shots already and tame enough to gentle people.

 

[dherrera83]

Dont, those cats steal fish from ponds... lol imagine what they would do to your reef.. lol - Im just kidding, adopting them would be a good idea.

 

[Josh]

If you are looking to adopt a cat please let me know, I know a few people who rescue purebred cats (certain ones are known for being good mousers).

 

[MatthewScars]

We're seriously discussing getting a cat because you have a mouse or two? So much for getting an animal for the right reasons. That's why they end up in shelters.

DO THIS: http://journal.chrisglass.com/2005/09/how_to_catch_a_.html

Then put him outside down the street. Don't kill it, what did he ever do to you?

 

[jnelson]

That's why I was considering borrowing/"renting" a cat. Pretty sure I wouldn't be able to take care of it long-term. Girlfriend is also allergic to cats/dogs so I don't know how well that would work in the long run LOL.

MatthewScars - That's an interesting method, I might give that a try.

All I know is, I saw the damn thing (Pretty sure it was the same one) scurrying around again last night. It came in through my heater in my living room... Too bad it isn't an open radiator. Will have to get the super to come up here and get inside to take a look. Some steel wool/expanding foam may be in order.

 

[lfsmarineguy]

I think we're ignoring an obvious solution here. Buy your own mice and train them to infiltrate and ultimately eliminate the invading mice. These mice will then help keep any further intrusions at bay and I think we can all agree that a small group of mouse ninjas is far more entertaining than just a regular cat.

 

[dherrera83]

There are far more mice then we know or can see. Releasing them will ony further complicate things for everyone. These guys have been known to consume a whole field!

I say if you catch the little beast make sure you take him out. Dont release him back to or he will start reporducing like crazy. And the onces in the city will litereally eat everything in your engine compartment. Hapened twice to me...

If you feel bad about taking him out get a snake, like a king snake or something. Then catch it and let nature take its course.... lol

There is just too many of them and not enough to control there population. They can easily become and infestation

 

[jnelson]

Alright so I saw the goddamn thing again. Chased it into my bathroom where it ran under my sink cabinet. Guess there's a hole under there...

Hitting this problem from a bunch of sides:
- Cleaned up my kitchen and dining room - not even the tiniest crumbs were out.
- Got some of the electronic pest repellents (the EMF ones, since they apparently work better than the ultrasound)
- Building super is coming by on Saturday to lay down some poison behind the heaters and check for cracks/gaps.

THIS IS WARRRRRRRRRRR

 

[dherrera83]

I got 20 on the mouse... Lol

 

[budddman]

Ever seen the movie Mouse Trap.....

Sent from my Droid using Reefs

 

[masterswimmer]

Alright so I saw the goddamn thing again. Chased it into my bathroom where it ran under my sink cabinet. Guess there's a hole under there...

Hitting this problem from a bunch of sides:
- Cleaned up my kitchen and dining room - not even the tiniest crumbs were out.
- Got some of the electronic pest repellents (the EMF ones, since they apparently work better than the ultrasound)
- Building super is coming by on Saturday to lay down some poison behind the heaters and check for cracks/gaps.

THIS IS WARRRRRRRRRRR

You are going about this soooo wrong. In order to beat the mouse, you need to think like the mouse lol

Of course there's a hole under the sink. How do you think the pipes get into your apartment? That's the #1 space for any rodent to enter any dwelling, through the holes drilled for the plumbing.

The 'trap' linked above is actually the BEST trap you're going to find. Any other trap will only do the same thing, try to catch/kill it. That trap is spot on mate, try it.

Russ

 

[allhandsworking]

this might be a shot in the dark, but has anyone else in the ny/nj/ct area had sudden issues with insects/rodents since the earthquake yesterday?

Shortly after i got home last night (around 5 pm), for the first time in the 8 months at my current apartment, i saw a mouse scurrying through my dining room and foyer. I saw what i suspect was the same mouse again a few hours later (around 9 pm).

I take out the garbage on a nightly basis, only eat in the kitchen/dining room and keep things tidy in general. Our building has an exterminator that comes once a month and checks/sprays common areas as well as apartments that request it (i request it every month as a precaution). The exterminator just came last saturday so i doubt it is an issue with the pesticides.

I know that natural disasters cause animals to do strange things so i am wondering if this is a one time occurrence or if i can expect to see this more often in the future :sigh:

sticky traps are the most effective trap. True value hardware has sticky sheets for less than a dollar!