Re: Backyard critters in the observatory (was Getting a bigger telescope )

We've got big big big wood rats. They hop - big ears and large back legs
like a kangaroo. They're actually kind of cute, but they do try to get
into the storage spaces, including scopes. Plus they are the main food
source for all the other predators here from hawks and owls to bobcat.
So we don't kill them. We use a live trap in the storage area. When we
detect a problem, we set the trap. Bait it with cat food (although kit
kat candy bars work really well). Let them out just over the hill to
live lives of personal fulfillment - elsewhere.
Plus we always store the scope with the mirror set vertically
(tube/truss set horizontally) so they may admire themselves in the
mirror or maybe even put their little paws on the mirror, but can't
poop/nest on it - just in case, because no matter what you do, they'll
get in somehow. That's the price of rural living. Lynne.

Michelle Stone wrote:
> Shoot, I don't bother with all that complex peanut butter stuff. I
> just put some water in a bucket and give the mouse a way to crawl up
> and jump in! They are not very smart animals. Very cute.... but not
> very smart.
>
> Michelle
>
> On Mon, Jun 29, 2009 at 2:06 PM, Jeff Gortatowsky<indanapt@No-Spam> wrote:
>
>> Now if you are like me and had no idea why a 5 gallon bucket with 5 inches of water is a mouse trap...
>>
>> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/better-mouse-trap/
>>
>> :)
>>
>> ---------------------------------------
>> Jeff Gortatowsky, Fullerton, CA
>> Twitter: faintfuzzyfindr Yahoo: indanapt Live: gdjsky01
>>
>>
>> "Of course there is no empirical evidence that smaller government works better and more efficiently than bigger government since that experiment has yet to be done. However there is ample empirical evidence of the failures of the latter."
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----
>> From: Michelle Stone <litebkt@No-Spam>
>> To: TAC mailing list <tac@No-Spam>
>> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 1:11:02 PM
>> Subject: Re: [TAC] Backyard critters in the observatory (was Getting a bigger telescope )
>>
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> I keep a 5 gallon bucket with 5 inches of water inside and set it next
>> to the wall. It is the only mice trap that really works HERE.
>>
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> ---
>>
>> June 28, 2009: TAC Web Page Updated http://observers.org/TAC.cgi/Announcements/
>> Star Party! CalStar: Sept 17-20: http://www.observers.org/CalStar
>> TAC mailing list - to join, manage, or leave: http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/tac
>>
>>
> ---
>
> June 28, 2009: TAC Web Page Updated http://observers.org/TAC.cgi/Announcements/
> Star Party! CalStar: Sept 17-20: http://www.observers.org/CalStar
> TAC mailing list - to join, manage, or leave: http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/tac
>
>

---
June 28, 2009: TAC Web Page Updated http://observers.org/TAC.cgi/Announcements/
Star Party! CalStar: Sept 17-20: http://www.observers.org/CalStar
TAC mailing list - to join, manage, or leave: http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/tac