The mice/rats ate my

[deb_b]

Christmas Cactus, both of them. I had/have 2 Christmas Cactus, red and fuschia. They both bloomed all summer long, off and on of course. I kept them in my craftroom because of the light and it was cooler. Well, inbetween waterings, the mice/rats just about ate one of them completely and really did a number on the other one. I had to move them both out of there. I keep poison out, but I guess they outnumber everything I do. I don't know if it will bloom anymore or not, now. Evening sun is all they will get, thanks to the mice/rats. I got them last Christmas and they were both doing great. Getting big. It's the first one's I have had to do this good for me. What's a person to do? Anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of them and keep them out of my house? I live in the country and they just seem to take over. Usually it's the Winter, but now it's all Summer long to. HELP, PLEASE.

Deb

[trudy]

a problem with mice eating my plants but every time my neighbor mowed his field across the road from my house or it got cold weather here they'd come. An of course they'd go to the pantry. It got to the point that even in the summer they'd be destroying the food in the pantry, I'd hear them chewing in the crawl space in the ceiling. It got tiring an frustrating cleaning up after them to.

The poisons worked to slow for me plus when they die the smell would be bad. I bought several mice traps (old fashion kind/snap traps) http://www.victorpest.com/canada/rodents.asp along with glue boards. Also I put any food in the pantry into sealable containers. Anything that I thought a mice could chew his way into got sealed up into like canisters, mason type glass jars, bins. I have seen I think 1 mice in years now since doing this. I don't know what to tell you on you plants, but once you rid the mice the plants will be fine.

[deb_b]

I have more trouble with the mice getting the cookies that I buy for the grandchildren than anything else. But now the ants are another thing. They get into unopened boxes of everything to. I guess the only things safe are the canned goods and anything in good sealed canisters. And it was just the Winter time before, but not now for some reason. Maybe that one just didn't know where the pantry was and got desperate. Thats the only plants I've ever had that the mice/rats ate. And of course, it would be something that I dearly wanted to survive and keep blooming. I have the regular mouse traps and use them also. My cat got killed, so now I don't have one to catch mice. She did a really great job. Maybe that's why they are getting worse. I need another kitten. I think I will look for one.
Deb

[Mandy]

It's time Deb, nothing like them. A new little mouser!

[bali]

I have more trouble with the mice getting the cookies that I buy for the grandchildren than anything else. But now the ants are another thing. They get into unopened boxes of everything to. I guess the only things safe are the canned goods and anything in good sealed canisters. And it was just the Winter time before, but not now for some reason. Maybe that one just didn't know where the pantry was and got desperate. Thats the only plants I've ever had that the mice/rats ate. And of course, it would be something that I dearly wanted to survive and keep blooming. I have the regular mouse traps and use them also. My cat got killed, so now I don't have one to catch mice. She did a really great job. Maybe that's why they are getting worse. I need another kitten. I think I will look for one.
Deb

Can you put your cookies in glass containers? I do

And my seeds I am puttin in the refrigerator, or my glass green house .
Cant get rodents there.

[unicorn2564]

I think I would go straight to a cat not a kitten.....you might not have any plants while you wait for him to grow up.
I did pretty good with the sticky traps. Got 5 of the buggers on one trap!!! Regular traps scare me...fraid I might loose a finger !!!
Really sorry to hear about your plants ...hopefully they will bounce back for you and be better than ever!!!!

[deb_b]

I think. I have tried alot of things. They outnumber everything I do. I think the best thing that happens is my youngest son, who is almost 25, shoots them with a bb gun. He is very accurate with a gun and gets them with the first shot. When he can see them, that is.
The Christmas Cactus are holding their own now. I think they will live. They just don't look to good right at this moment. I think they will come out of it and be ok, tho. I'm just glad I caught them in time. I will have to take a pic and post it to show what they did. They were getting full and beautiful. One still had a bloom on it when I found it. I guess they didn't like them.

Deb

[bali]

Who are you talking to?

[SuddenlySpring]

My genius cats BRING mice into my house. And snakes, birds, and LIVE kittens. (They climb into people's windows and bring me live presents). I'm just glad at least the kitten was alive....

[Mandy]

So did you keep the kitten?

[bali]

Me thinks they all do that ..

[SuddenlySpring]

'Twas my neighbor's kitten. I gave it back. LOL!

[deb_b]

other animals and every time I get a grown cat, it wants to eat my chicks that hatch. I have to raise one from a kitten so it can be taught not to kill chicks. I found a kitten though. Actually my son did. Right in the middle of a bridge. She was so tiny, I don't think she was quite weaned yet. But she is doing great. Her favorite passtime is grabbing me around the leg when I walk by. She is so adorable. I really think she will make a great mouser. Wish I could catch a young one or find a nest so I could get her started. But the way she acts, I don't think there will be a problem with her wanting to catch them on her own. Thanks for all the suggestions. I redid the plants and I think they will survive. No more eating on them yet. Hopefully they won't again.
Deb