How do non-violent humans deal with, say, mice or ants getting into the food supply?
So I've decided it's morally unacceptable for me to kill, period, even those invading my food supply. But I have a dilemna now...how do I keep the opportunistic creatures out of my kitchen? I would use one of those altered frequency output devices that you plug into an outlet, but my daughter has a pet that would be adversely affected by that. I have a couple of live traps set, and we've actually caught and then released two mice - but one is persistent and apparently intelligent enough to avoid the trap. We've taken to leaving food right where it gets in, and that seems to be keeping it off the countertops at least.
Oh, and the ants.....
Any suggestions?
2008-02-07T10:03:06Z
Granny Annie - thanks!!! That is a really helpful answer, and I appreciate you didn't dis me like the others.
You know, I guess since I put the question out there for public viewing, it's my own fault for thinking it would treated respectfully. I guess there are just those that can't stand someone different than themselves.
2008-02-07T10:04:36Z
P.S. Of course I have adequate containers to protect the food now, and of course I clean appropriately. Jeeeeeze.
Granny Annie2008-02-07T09:21:43Z
Favorite Answer
A) For mice: spread a little 20-Mule team Borax around the hole. They hate the stuff and will leave.
B) For ants: Find their entry point. Drop a few drops of Coca-Cola around it. They slurp it up, get drunk (get a magnifying glass and watch. It's a hoot when they get snockered and start trying to walk on 6 feet going in as many different directions.) Anyway, after they sober up, they stay away from that spot.
Yea, I know it sucks but you're going to have to pitch it. I wouldn't worry about buying canned food though unless you want to. It's much more expensive especially if you have a big dog. You're obviously going to have to deal with the ants anyway. Get some ant traps and stuff. I also recommend those Bug Plug things. (Ultrasonic sound or something you plug into the wall) They don't bother other animals, but they scare bugs away or something. They REALLY worked at my house for sure I noticed a huge difference in the amount of spiders, centipedes and ants I've seen since. They were hard to find, but I got mine at Target. Once the ants are all gone, I would continue buying the same food, but just buy a big Tupperware container and dump everything in there to keep it fresh and clean. That's what I do. It also makes it easier to scoop out and store. Good luck!
Set up a ramp (piece of cardboard, yardstick, whatever) leading to a trashcan. Atop the ramp, place a tp tube (or something similar, say, a hot pocket crisping sleeve) with peanut butter in it. Set the sleeve/tube on the top of the ramp so that if it is unbalanced, it will fall in the can. (Make sure the peanut butter is toward the can.) Ensure that you release any mice as far away from your home as you can get them feasibly (at least a mile or two) so they do not come back.
As for the ants, spray bleach or degreaser on the floor/surface. They won't cross it. Then again, I wouldn't cross a moat of something that would boil me alive, either.
Funny you should mention this, I was awakened last night to find a cockroach the size of a German Shepard crawling across my floor. First thing this morning I went to Home Depot and bought $50 worth of a variety of roach killers. I left my house, with Armageddon reigning down on the bastards. Hopefully they will all be in heaven when I return.