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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to let a mouse live rent-free in my compost bin?

37 replies

GeorgianMumto5 · 04/06/2013 17:19

He's a maverick mouse - lives all on his own - who has been there all winter. Dh sees him quite often, but he seldom makes an appearance for me (the mouse, not dh - I see him quite often). Today I was shovelling out some compost and there he was. He's filthy, but seems happy. He shot out while I was working, then back in again when he thought I'd finished.

I don't want to be overrun with mice, but he seems to be a lone mouse and the compost bin is not near the house. I happily coexist alongside all sorts of other wildlife. The mouse is just one more, right? Plus, if I caught Compo, there'd be more out there that I just don't know about, yeah? (Not in the compost though - that is Compo's manor.)

OP posts:
Damnautocorrect · 04/06/2013 17:24

Where's there's one in the garden there's probably more. But I don't worry about it, unless they move into my house I have no issue with sharing.
Some even pop into the house, but they soon learn that mistake when I'm shouting at the cat to drop them.
I'm sure others have opposing views it I quite like sharing the garden

mrsjay · 04/06/2013 17:26

but what if he finds a miss mouse and they have lots of little baby mice in the house eek but if he is a bachelor mouse who is just hanging out then id leave it,

thecatneuterer · 04/06/2013 17:27

YADNBU. Have you given him a name?

UniqueAndAmazing · 04/06/2013 17:28

yanbu.
nothing wrong with mice in the compost :)

BeauNidle · 04/06/2013 17:29

I was happy with mice, but once there was a snake (adder)curled up in my compost. They like the heat. I got rid when I saw a rat though. That was when I drew the line.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 04/06/2013 17:30

I'd be worried about skewering him with my fork when I'm digging the compost out :(

McNewPants2013 · 04/06/2013 17:31

Yanbu, what's his name.

Original poster
GeorgianMumto5 · 04/06/2013 17:39

Compo. OhYouBadKitten, I had to call to the oft-seen dh to come and usher Compo out of the way.

OP posts:
LastTangoInDevonshire · 04/06/2013 17:41

BeauNidle - that 'adder' was probably a slow-worm !!!

Punkatheart · 04/06/2013 17:41

If there are mice, it means there are no rats - as the two never live together happily. But it will never be one. I love mice and I would like that little chap...

BeauNidle · 04/06/2013 17:45

Deffo an adder unfrotunately. We have alot of them here. Think south england lots of gorseland etc. They bask in the sunshine.

fizzzness · 04/06/2013 19:11

Compo is likely several mice who all look exactly the same. You don't get lone mice, just sentimental humans

Original poster
GeorgianMumto5 · 04/06/2013 19:56

Good point, Fizzz. I didn't think of that. Good to know Compo and his mates are keeping the rats away. That would be the limit!

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 04/06/2013 19:58

There are no single mice. Ever. And they will come into the house.

cantspel · 04/06/2013 20:04

Problem with leaving a few cute mice to live in comfort in the compost is that they will be breeding between February and October every 25 days. With on average 5 young per litter.
Over one summer you could have quite a little army of mice who come winter will be looking for somewhere a bit warmer to live and heading in the direction of your house.

Original poster
GeorgianMumto5 · 05/06/2013 13:17

Ah. That's not so good. What should I do? I don't think Compo is likely to stray from the bin. Not sure how I can catch him. What about all the other mice that are surely around but better hidden? I could do with a cat, really, but for the allergies.

OP posts:
DiaryOfAWimpyMum · 05/06/2013 13:21

It seem a shame to kill him, I have a picture of Stuart Little in my head. Sad

Can you not buy him a little cage and wheel and pretend he is a hamster?

SPsCliffingAllOverMN · 05/06/2013 13:25

Can you draw a mark on him and then you will know if hes alone or not after a few sightings

Bramshott · 05/06/2013 13:35

How on earth do you NOT have mice in the compost bin (or in the shed or any other garden buildings)?! I have a massive rat (and probably half his family) who lives in my compost bin and turns it all over nicely Hmm... I would prefer he/they wasn't there, but don't fancy my chances of getting rid.

Sparrowlegs248 · 05/06/2013 13:39

Why would they come in the house? They have somewhere lovely and warm with regular top ups of food! Leave him be, he's outside!

Loulybelle · 05/06/2013 13:41

I have two frogs in my garden called Hoppo and Harries, i loves them.

Leave it be, its probably happy where it is xx

BeauNidle · 05/06/2013 13:43

pmsl at draw a mark on him! A diamonte collar even?

valiumredhead · 05/06/2013 13:44

There is never just one mouse...

iheartdusty · 05/06/2013 13:45

If, as seems probable, it is a wood mouse, it is not likely to be coming into your house. The house mouse is a different species.

try google, this is just one of many links, but I avoided those put up by Rentokil and their ilk who clearly have an interest in encouraging anxiety about mice.

stealthsquiggle · 05/06/2013 13:47

Mice would be a nice change. Fed up with rstd. I wouldn't mind so much if they stayed in the garden, but as soon as it gets cold(er) they move into the voids between floors in the house Angry.