OMG HELP! There is a mouse under the cupboard in the dining room!

[kaitlinktm]

Saw the cat staring under the cupboard then my son came home and saw the mouse. Have shut the cat in the hall because I don't want a bloodbath - but then useless son had to go to the dentist and won't be back for over an hour. His friend has arrived and laid a trail of grated cheese to the patio door, but the mouse must be fiendishly clever and has just dragged the nearest piece under the cupboard and presumably scarfed it down.

Any ideas/tips/strategies (I am a complete mouse wuss)

[kaitlinktm]

Sorry I don't know why this is in AIBU - meant to put it in Chat.

[FlyingElbows]

Let the cat deal with it.

[Muddlingthroughtoo]

Poor little thing, you'll have to chase it out and catch it under a tub. I feel your pain, I had to do the same 9 months pregnant at 4a.m whilst my drunken husband snores his head off in bed!

[MrPony]

Start googling diy mouse traps!
My cat did this once and it was the most fun I've ever had chasing it out. Everyone was screaming at this tiny little mouse and standing on chairs, even my dad!

[kaitlinktm]

Well she wasn't doing too well to begin with - but I don't want to just let her kill it. They can be cruel and play with them can't they? I just want it to go back into the garden.

[something2say]

Stop being pathetic, it's a tiny scrap of life! Leave it alone fgs.

[kaitlinktm]

Hmm - catch it under a tub.

[scurryfunge]

Use a dustpan and brush to scoop it up when it next ventures out and put it outside. Flour is better than cheese but you may have to sit quiet for quite a while before it ventures out. Or, use the cat to locate it and scoop it up before the cat gets it.

[WiddlinDiddlin]

Put a pint glass or other clear object down along the edge of a skirting board, block off other escape routes and chase mouse into glass - remove from room, calm down, have a pint and wait for all this to blow over..?

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Trail of grated cheese.. you'll probably lure all his friends in.

Try catching it with a towel, sort of throwing it over the mouse and scooping the whole thing up.
Failing that, could you look at some old episodes of Tom and Jerry on YouTube for ideas?

[kaitlinktm]

I want to leave it alone "something" - but I want to leave it alone outside my house. Yes I know I am pathetic.

[MrsPickwick]

I catch them in my hands and transport them to the woods or the playing field. It's easier if you use your hands, just wash them afterwards. They're sweet little creatures. Please don't let the cat deal with it, as someone said above!

[MrsK]

I used to be the same, until our cat turned out to be a psychopath. It's a daily occurrence now, I'm surprised there are any small rodents left locally. Anyway, I wear a pair of rubber gloves, that way I can't feel it. Also be decisive, grab it cupped between both hands & out the front door.

Good luck

[dibs1973]

Chocolate, mice can't resist it! X

[kaitlinktm]

Oh no!! Ilostit - I never thought of that. I could end up with a mouse party on my hands.

Off to try some (or all) of your suggestions now.

I may be gone some time.

[kaitlinktm]

No, I won't be letting the cat deal with it.

[RatherBeIndoors]

toilet roll inner with a sock over one end, leave it somewhere close to where the mouse is - always worked for us, mouse shot in expecting a mousehole (I assume) and you can bung the whole thing outside quickly. or cover it with a large tub and wait for someone to come home and deal with it

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I remember reading that if your cat brings a catch home it means the cat loves and respects you and wants to present you with a trophy, which is nice.

[kaitlinktm]

My other son has just arrived home - WIBU (yay - maybe I am on the right forum?) to invent an appointment go out to see my Mum and let him and his friend (and his brother when he returns) sort it out.

(They are all adults btw.)

[MrsK]

If that's the case, Ilostit, my cat really really loves me. Recently, we had a scene straight out of CSI, two dead mice, a dead bird & a vole (still alive thankfully)

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

I think it helps if you get his balls chopped off Mrs.K

[HummyMummy72]

You're not pathetic OP ignore that poster.

A lot of people are frightened of mice, spiders etc it's common, I would be exactly the same! No advice but hope you get rid!

[chickenowner]

We have humane mouse traps, which we load with peanut butter. We then liberate the mice someone far away from the house. (Like the churchyard, or the allotment)!

[MrsK]

I don't think she has any, Ilostit 😏(how do I type in bold?). She doesn't look like a serial killer, she is a tiny pretty little thing.

How's the mouse situation Kaitlin?

[Feelingworriednow]

An empty Cereal box is what you need. Lie it on its thin side with something tempting inside. With lots of patience the mouse will go inside and then you can tip the box upright. A decent sized box is too tall for the mouse to jumpy out and you can put the flaps down if you are feeling woosy.
My 3 cats are for ever bringing in small rodent, this works a charm every time. I remember trying to catch one mouse late Christmas Eve when the damn thing had run into the pile of presents under the tree... Grrr