What do we do in an emergency...?

Blusey7

As much as us lone mums (and lone dads too perhaps) don't want to been seen as shrinking wall flowers and put on a brave face and be strong upstanding examples for our children, what can we do when faced with an emergency that maybe totally unthinkable for us to deal with?? Flooding, washing machine breaking down, electrics tripping out.... some of us may be able to deal with these or have friends or family around to help out but picture this one.... Here's me, sitting at my computer this evening and I spot some thing out of the corner of my eye... a spider perhaps? A dust bunny? NO... A MOUSE!!! :o If I hadn't have been in such shock it would have been funny seeing the little thing scamper across the wood laminate floor trying to get a grip! I think the first thing I need to do tomorrow is get a trap or a cat?? If 2 children making a mess and arguing and making my work increase 10 fold aren't enough... God sends me a mouse as well.. think he must certainly have a sense of humour!! :lol: Anyone else faced anything like this or have any ideas on what to do next?? ;)

Posted on: March 28, 2009 - 12:48am

Bubblegum

Average life expectancy of a mouse in the wild is only about four months anyway : ( so you should just give him a bit of cheese.

I just read all about them here.

I'd say get a cat, that way your kids get a pet and the mice will keep away : )

Posted on: March 28, 2009 - 5:10pm

sparklinglime

Used to have mice in the 'marital home' (just love that title!). We lived in the countryside and they would come into the attic in the winter - through the stone walls. The odd one would get into the house - no idea how. I'd have live traps. I'd drop them off quite close to the children's school - which was a couple of miles away. Children thought it was hilarious and would fight over holding the live trap with this poor, terrorised mouse in...

I'm very lucky as I have a friend who's partner is a plumber. They wouldn't hesitate to help me in a crisis. I look after their cat when they're away, so that makes me feel I'm doing my bit!

I've learnt to cope with spiders - with a glass and a piece of card. Children now do that aswell (I've been on my own for five years now).

I live in a housing association property, and so major repairs are therefore their problem - which I'm relieved about.

I think the most horrid bit is having to bury the pets - hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs. I'm dreading the dogs or the cat dying! I get so emotional. My oldest son helped with the last two - a guinea pig died in January and my daughter's gerbil in February. The children are far less emotional than me (thank goodness!).

Posted on: March 29, 2009 - 12:34am

Louise

Parenting specialist

Hi Blusey

Any update on the rodent situation? I do believe that if you are going to take them somewhere to release, you have to go a reasonable distance from your house or they will find their way back again.

Best wishes

Louise :)

Posted on: April 2, 2009 - 2:00pm

Blusey7

I've been away over easter and half expected to come back to an infested home :lol:

I fancied getting one of those live traps cos then not only are they not harmed but I know that I have caught them as well! But I have been unable to find any.... anyone with any ideas??

Posted on: April 16, 2009 - 3:29pm

Louise

Parenting specialist

I can't recommend anything from personal experience Bluesy, I was hearing about these http://www.pestfree.co.uk/cat-can.htm the other week where you use old ring pull cans. Dont know how effective they are, has anyone used one?

I have also seen those plug in rodent repellets, does anyone know if they work? they can be expensive so would need a personal recommendation

Louise :)

Posted on: April 16, 2009 - 4:27pm

sparklinglime

"We" (so funny using the 'we' word) ran a cable into attic for a socket for one of those rodent plug in deterants, but it didn't work in our case.

We did this as we spoke to someone who had been delighted with it!

Posted on: April 17, 2009 - 12:25pm