Hey everyone, I'm a 32-year-old woman and I'm feeling overwhelmed right now. I have a serious fear of rodents, and my husband doesn't quite understand it—he grew up in the countryside where mice were just part of life. We have a 6-week-old baby and a 3-year-old, and we live in a rural area, which isn't great for mouse problems, but here we are. It all started when our dog wouldn't stop staring at the wall; I thought she lost a toy behind it. A few nights later, I heard scratching sounds in the walls and convinced myself someone was breaking in. After waking my husband several times, he checked the dresser and found a mouse inside at 4 am. I panicked and fled the room. Fast forward a few hours, I saw another mouse run across the living room floor. We called an exterminator who set traps and bait around the house, and since then, I've taken the kids to stay with my parents because I'm terrified to go back home. I dread finding dead mice in the walls or another one scurrying around. Our house is 20 years old, and while I know i should seal every crack for a permanent solution, I feel that managing that with two young kids and a full-time working husband is impossible right now. I'm really struggling to work up the nerve to return home. Please tell me I'm not alone, and if anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it!
3 Answers
Hey there, I totally empathize with your fear. Dealing with mice in a country home is a reality we just can’t avoid. I’ve found that using a bucket trap works best—it's a humane way to handle them! You just need a bucket, a ramp, and some peanut butter. The mice climb up, slip, and fall in. I’ve set these up in my attic and garage, and my mouse sightings have drastically reduced. Plus, there’s no mess to clean up later! Good luck, and hang in there!
Yeah, and there's no awful smell like with poison! Those bobbing corpses are no fun.
You know, I'm all for getting a cat if you're feeling overwhelmed. They’re natural hunters and will keep those pesky mice at bay. Just remember, these little furballs can sometimes bring the casualties back as gifts. But hey, it's way better than dealing with traps and poison! Speaking of which, steer clear of the poison around your kids and pets—it's just not worth the risk. Plus, if your dog encounters a poisoned mouse, that could send you into a panic. Better to have a furry friend handle it!
Great point! Just got a cat myself, and my mouse problems have vanished overnight.
Totally agree. Cats are excellent for pest control.
First off, you're not alone! Lots of folks fear rodents for valid reasons. It might help to chat with someone about your feelings, especially if they’re affecting your quality of life. Taking proactive measures—like sealing holes around the house and making sure food is secured—can help a lot. I completely understand the struggle, but just remember, it’s a common battle to face when living in rural areas. To ease your anxiety, consider learning about mice—seeing that they’re more afraid of you than you are of them can sometimes help!
Definitely! Learning about them helped me a ton!
Exactly; knowledge is power! And getting some professional advice might really ease your mind.
That's a great method! I used to have so many issues too, but since switching to bucket traps, things are way more manageable.