Sunday, November 14, 2010

An unwelcome visitor

I'm not sure why but our neighbors don't seem to have the same complaints as we do about unsavory house guests?  We have become MVP customers of Killum Pest Control since we've moved to Texas.  Thank goodness for them! 
It seems like the recent construction on the lot right next to our house and the other right across the street has caused all the little critters to make a bee line straight for our house!  It is NOT a good thing!
A couple of months ago the pest control guys did a great job of making our home very un-welcoming for all the enormous tree roaches that tried to sneak in.  We haven't see a single one (and no traces of them either!)
Then, a month or so ago as I was about to get into the shower I tossed a towel in to the bathtub and a little critter started running and jumping around!  I high tailed my naked self out of there and frantically called Chris.  Think I must have called about 23 times before I finally got him.  I convinced him to come home and get this creature out of the house so I could get ready for my appointment. 
But when he went into the bathroom my little friend was gone.  He did leave traces of his presence behind but he got away!
Then, it was pretty quiet.  No more mouse.
Chris and I had a dinner a few weeks ago and my sister-in-law watched the kids for us.  When we got home she told us she saw something little and quick run out from the kitchen to the laundry room.  All the kids went to look but he had escaped again!  Oh no - our visitor wasn't gone after all....
But then things were quiet again.  No signs of anything.
About a week ago as I was cleaning out my pantry to make room for all the groceries I bought I discovered that our visitor had definitely NOT gone away.  There was plenty of evidence that he had been making our home his new home.
Time for an intervention.
I did not want to set out mouse traps and kills the little guy but I definitely wanted him out of my house!  So, Chris found this little humane trap that catches them but doesn't kill them.
One morning this week (very early, thanks to daylight savings time) everyone was up and at 'em.  Chris opened the pantry and announced that the trap was closed.  Could we have caught something??
He was in the kitchen and we were all in the living room when we heard the shrillest, most high-pitched scream. It was Chris!  Then there was a little black mouse high tailing it across my living room.
The little guy was tiny so Chris didn't feel anything in the trap.  But when he opened it to look in he didn't see anything either.  Then, little mousy jumped out toward his face and took off.
Armed with an open door, a bucket, and a broom we all went on a search to catch the mouse!  Chris found him in our linen closet. 
After blocking off all the other doors with towels he opened up the door and pulled out a blanket.  Nothing.
So, he pulled out another blanket.  Nothing.
Where did he go?
After about the 4th blanket he ran out in the pile of blankets and was jumping around.  He finally managed to get out and ran across Chris' foot toward the door.  But he missed the door and hit the step where the kids were all standing and screaming.  He ricocheted himself off the step and out the door!  Hooray!
But, he wasn't out for long...or he had a friend.  The next day Chris caught another in the trap but wisely didn't open it until he was far away from the house in a field out near the plant.
Unfortunately, I found more evidence of visitors under my sink and had to make the call to Killum.  I hated to kill them but they cannot live here!  The nice Killum man did his job and hopefully we won't have any more unwelcome visitors again!!!!