Crocus predators

Jim McKenney jimmckenney@starpower.net
Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:07:14 PST
Jane's mouse problems prompt me to share these ideas:

Why not try using something else to bait the traps? I've found that vanilla
works for the local Peromyscus (deer mouse), and peanut butter works in
general. I've also used anise extract successfully. Changing the type of
bait seems to help after a certain number of kills/captures. 

More gruesome, but very effective, are deep, narrow mouthed plastic
containers with a three or four inch deep pool of vegetable oil in the
bottom (think huge pitcher plants). The odor of vegetable oil seems to draw
some rodents very effectively; nor does the decomposing corpses of their
dead companions floating in the oil seem to slow them down. 

Float a film of olive oil on top of inexpensive refined vegetable oil (or
for that matter, water) for the best results. It does not have to be extra
virgin!    

Jim McKenney
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where at least four genera of
"mouse" dine well. 


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