Karen,

I have been struggling with this problem as well. When I first came to my
house three months ago sticky traps were being used and staff were placing
the traps (& live mice) in a plastic grocery bag for disposal. No, it is not
a nice way to die. Mineral oil is supposed to loosen the mouse from the
glue, but this takes a very long time and can cause further harm if not done
very gently (I have been most successful with mayonnaise, but it was pointed
out to me that releasing a mayo-covered mouse into the wild was just
providing an extra-tasty snack for the local predators). I can't abandon the
traps altogether as I still need to monitor insects, but the live cage traps
I bought a few weeks ago can be very messy and hard to clean (not to mention
the fact that a peanut butter-covered mouse in the woods is probably just as
popular as a mayo-flavored one). I am thinking of resorting to those
electronic frequency things, but I'm not if they work at all.

I'd also love to hear any alternatives from list members!



Melissa Duffes
Assistant Coordinator
Historic Green Spring
4603 Green Spring Road
Alexandria, VA 22301
703-941-7987
[log in to unmask]



----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Duncan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: sticky traps


> As a card carrying member of the Bleeding Heart Tree Huggers, I have to
> ask: Is anyone else concerned about the potential cruelty of these
> sticky traps? Of course we must monitor our spaces for damaging pests,
> and OK, I can see them for insects, especially with close monitoring.
> But it concerns me on several different levels (practical; ethical,
> etc.) to think of mice stuck in them and dying slowly. Can't be a decent
> way to die. And carcasses attract insects! I'm not trying to begin a big
> ethical discussion but would like the list to know about any
> alternatives that people might be using. Anyone?
>
> Peace and love,
>
> Karen Duncan
> Registrar
> Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum
> University of Minnesota
> 333 E. River Rd.
> Minneapolis, MN 55455
> T: 612.625.9665
> F: 612.625.9630
> E: [log in to unmask]
>
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