> My question here is what should we do?  What would the museum response
> be to hiring two cats.  Certainly, it might be more humane than sticky
> traps or other types.  And in this instance, it is this letter
> writer's opinion that this would be an excellent solution.

Being practical is more important than being humane toward mice.  I suspect
that you wouldn't hesitate to crush cockroaches and ants or swat flies at
the first opportunity.  Mice are cute, but they're pests where they're not
wanted.  I say do whatever you have to do to rid your valuable and
historically significant historic house of field mice and snakes or two.
Use sticky traps, spring traps, live traps, fumigation, cats, brooms, BB
guns, whatever it takes (well, maybe not BB guns, but you get my meaning).
You have much higher issues to think about than the lives of a few mice.
Judging from the description and inherent structural issues of the house you
will always have problems with critters coming in.  The cats were a good
idea because they work cheap and they require little more maintenance than
you already do.  Get them declawed if you wish to save your precious Late
Victorian horsehair setee.  Forget humane and protect the house, its
contents, and the health and well-being of your staff, volunteers, board,
and visitors.  Get real.  These things are much more important than the
lives of a few mice and some snakes.  Kill the pests and save your
historical/cultural investment.  Develop an integrated pest management
program that includes treatment, prevention, cleanliness, monitoring, and
staff/volunteer education, but don't get squeamish about killing mice.

HBC

***************************************
Henry B. Crawford
Curator of History
Museum of Texas Tech University
Box 43191
(4th and Indiana)
Lubbock, TX  79409-3191
[log in to unmask]
806/742-2442  FAX 742-1136
Website: http://www.museum.ttu.edu
***  Living History . . . Because It's There  ***

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