Mouse trap report

"Julia Altshuler" <jaltshuler.TakeThisOut@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:IM6dnb5IfuzmvwDanZ2dnUVZ_ommnZ2d@comcast.com...
(snip)

> I've been waking up early, so tomorrow morning I'll do some investigating.

If it sounds like a bowling alley in your basement my bet is on squirrels.

(snip)
> Right now, all bets are on the chimney as the access.

Don't start any fires until you have the chimney checked-something could be
nesting, blocking the chimney.

This brings up a
> question in the 'I don't know nuttin about rodents' department.
> Squirrels seek warmer quarters in the winter? I always knew mice did,
> but the squirrels seem so happy in the trees all winter. We see their
> paw prints in the snow.

Squirrels have terrible memories.

They are out all day in the winter trying to find the nuts and bolts they
stashed all spring and summer for leaner times. If you've ever come across
nuts in your yard, just barely covered with dirt or grass, that's some
squirrels stash that has been long forgotten.

They forage for food in daylight and raise hell in your house at dusk and
daybreak. They sleep when it's dark. That's why lights 24/7 will hasten
their departure.

(snip)
> I don't remember where the comic is from, but it shows a man outside
> under a tree surrounded by menacing approaching squirrels. Inside, his
> wife yells out the window "Give them what they want! George, you have a
> family!"

I can relate to that!

(snip)
> There's all sorts of stuff in the basement-- Jim's computer equipment,
> books, a few logic analyzers, some clothes, wood working tools, an
> oscilloscope.

A veritable squirrels Hilton.

> The chimney is for the fireplace on the main level of the house and the
> wood stove in the basement. We've never used the wood stove, and we've
> used the fireplace only once many years ago. The house is heated by a gas
> furnace, also in the basement. The plan at the moment is to investigate
> the chimney ourselves (and by us, I mean Jim) and do what we can with
> metal fencing wire.

That should work, as long as the rodents can't wriggle through.

Then I'll bring out a chimney expert. The
> guess that a cap or screen is off sounds like a good one.

Yes, I think so too.

If that
> doesn't do the trick, I'll look into the Rid X type noise makers, but
> wouldn't that drive Cubbe crazy? She's so sensitive to all high pitched
> noises.

I really don't know, haven't had any experience with Rid X.

Karla

"Terri" <Terri.TakeThisOut@micron.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9A32BBC47FB957544444@130.133.1.18...
(snip)
> * I'm unclear as to if that's become a politically incorrect thing
> to call independent loggers anymore. I sure mean no offense but have
> no idea what else to call them nor if there is another term used these
> days.
>
> Anyone know?

I don't know, but when I read your sentence I took it to mean what you meant
it to mean. Know what I mean?

I think I learned the term from Ken Kesey's "Sometimes A Great Notion".
Karla