We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?

Thanks.

On 11/07/2015 6:02 AM, Adam Funk wrote:
We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

Yes. Mice burrow in and under my kitchen compost type bin which looks
like one of these:
http://www.gardensonline.com.au/Shop...Show_5049.aspx

I suspect your worm bin might be similar to my kitchen waste compost bin.

Since I live on a farm I have mice burrowing in lots of places Like
under my big square bin compost heaps and in and around anywhere that
there is any sort of animal feed. Mice are more active in Spring and
Autumn and they never disappear. It's just a matter of constant war and
reducing numbers.

I actually like having mice in my Gedye bins as they are great turners
over of stuff that goes in there and there constant turning works to
reduce stuff into good garden bed additive. I only do something about
mice in my bins when the numbers build up too much.

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?

It's a smart move. I've used one of these, baited with a glob of peanut
butter, placed on top of the detritus in my bin and caught 8 mice in one
night:
http://www.sound-ai.com/Small-Multi-.../pd_1_4529.htm

The problem with mice is that they are smart and once you catch a lot of
them in the trap and dispose of them, the next lot won't be caught again
by the same trap for a few years so varying traps used is a good idea.

The only way I've found of excluding mice form worm bins is to use the
closed system worm bins that are not open in any way and which have a
lid. Even then I've found mouse gnawing marks on spots where mice ahve
been able to get a purchase and they've clearly tried (but thankfully
failed) to get in.

These are the worm bins keep mice out:
http://esvc001654.wic004ty.server-we...es/Page600.htm

"Adam Funk" wrote ...

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?


I think we have rats in ours the amount of earth that has been pushed out
the bottom. Our problem with mice is the burrowing and eating of crops,
cherries and just planted peas for example.
We also have a mole problem with them burrowing under plants so when you
water them they end up dropping down into a hole.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

On Fri, 10 Jul 2015 21:02:35 +0100, Adam Funk wrote:

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?

Thanks.

What harm is the mouse doing?

"Malcolm Ogilvie" wrote ...

Adam Funk wrote:

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?



What harm is the mouse doing?


I would say it's actions are beneficial to the composting process as it
turns over the matter.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

"Malcolm Ogilvie" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 10 Jul 2015 21:02:35 +0100, Adam Funk
wrote:

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?

Thanks.

What harm is the mouse doing?

My thoughts exactly. I do not want them inside my house, but outside is
fine.
Maybe the OP should think about getting a cat duck and run

Tina

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"Malcolm Ogilvie" wrote ...

Adam Funk wrote:

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?



What harm is the mouse doing?


I would say it's actions are beneficial to the composting process as it
turns over the matter.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK
Agree. IMO it's not necessary to kill mice that are living outside, where
else should they live? Rats are a different kettle of fish though. Poison is
a no-no. I once had a rat problem around my chickens huts and I used poison.
Worked on the rats, but I think it did for my tawny owls :-(

How could I have been so stupid? Anyway, I was, years ago. A cat came,
lost, and although I didn't really want him, I took him in. He's brilliant
with catching small rats and if he misses them and they get big, I get the
terriers in. Poison is a cruel death anyway, it takes days and I think they
suffer. With my method ( terrier) they either escape unharmed or they die
in an instant.

"Christina Websell" wrote ...
"Malcolm Ogilvie" wrote
Adam Funk wrote:

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?

Thanks.

What harm is the mouse doing?

My thoughts exactly. I do not want them inside my house, but outside is
fine.
Maybe the OP should think about getting a cat duck and run


The problem with that is if it's a good mouser like our ex-stray Tom he
might bring them in alive to show you and then sometimes loose them in the
house for you to chase round and find.
Maybe our cat thinks we enjoy turning the house upside down in the evenings
instead of going to bed. "Oh my staff are having such fun!"
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"Christina Websell" wrote ...
"Malcolm Ogilvie" wrote
Adam Funk wrote:

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?

Thanks.

What harm is the mouse doing?

My thoughts exactly. I do not want them inside my house, but outside is
fine.
Maybe the OP should think about getting a cat duck and run


The problem with that is if it's a good mouser like our ex-stray Tom he
might bring them in alive to show you and then sometimes loose them in the
house for you to chase round and find.
Maybe our cat thinks we enjoy turning the house upside down in the
evenings instead of going to bed. "Oh my staff are having such fun!"
--
I can't say he never did that.

On 2015-07-12, Bob Hobden wrote:

"Malcolm Ogilvie" wrote ...

What harm is the mouse doing?


I would say it's actions are beneficial to the composting process as it
turns over the matter.

I hadn't thought of that. I tend of think of mice as well as rats as
potential problems because they can chew up electrical wiring (in the
shed as well as the house).

On 2015-07-11, Fran Farmer wrote:

On 11/07/2015 6:02 AM, Adam Funk wrote:
We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

Yes. Mice burrow in and under my kitchen compost type bin which looks
like one of these:
http://www.gardensonline.com.au/Shop...Show_5049.aspx

I suspect your worm bin might be similar to my kitchen waste compost bin.

Since I live on a farm I have mice burrowing in lots of places Like
under my big square bin compost heaps and in and around anywhere that
there is any sort of animal feed. Mice are more active in Spring and
Autumn and they never disappear. It's just a matter of constant war and
reducing numbers.

I actually like having mice in my Gedye bins as they are great turners
over of stuff that goes in there and there constant turning works to
reduce stuff into good garden bed additive. I only do something about
mice in my bins when the numbers build up too much.

Interesting, thanks. I haven't got a farm, just a small garden with a
shed beside the worm bin, not far from the house.

On 14/07/2015 11:05, Adam Funk wrote:
On 2015-07-11, Fran Farmer wrote:

On 11/07/2015 6:02 AM, Adam Funk wrote:
We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

Yes. Mice burrow in and under my kitchen compost type bin which looks
like one of these:
http://www.gardensonline.com.au/Shop...Show_5049.aspx

I suspect your worm bin might be similar to my kitchen waste compost bin.

Since I live on a farm I have mice burrowing in lots of places Like
under my big square bin compost heaps and in and around anywhere that
there is any sort of animal feed. Mice are more active in Spring and
Autumn and they never disappear. It's just a matter of constant war and
reducing numbers.

I actually like having mice in my Gedye bins as they are great turners
over of stuff that goes in there and there constant turning works to
reduce stuff into good garden bed additive. I only do something about
mice in my bins when the numbers build up too much.

Interesting, thanks. I haven't got a farm, just a small garden with a
shed beside the worm bin, not far from the house.



Mice with worms I know of, but worms with mice?

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"Christina Websell" wrote ...
"Malcolm Ogilvie" wrote
Adam Funk wrote:

We've had a mouse living in our worm bin for a few weeks (I've seen it
dancing around on top of the heap when I tip stuff in).

The bin is the open-bottomed "dalek" type. I have one of those oblong
metal box mousetraps with two one-way gates one side & two spring
traps inside, arranged so that a "flag" is visible through the top
when a trap's been sprung. I originally put this down under a nearby
wall of the shed (the shed walls have ventilation gaps of 40 to 50
mm), assuming that the mouse would run that way; after a while, I
moved it under the wall closest to the worm bin.

I now wonder if the mouse is living more or less permanently inside
the bin --- is that possible?

I'm reluctant to put any kind of poison in the worm bin since I use
the output in the garden & (when I'm lucky) grow something edible.

I'm seriously considering setting the trap-box on the top of the
contents of the worm bin. Is that a smart or stupid idea?

Thanks.

What harm is the mouse doing?

My thoughts exactly. I do not want them inside my house, but outside is
fine.
Maybe the OP should think about getting a cat duck and run


The problem with that is if it's a good mouser like our ex-stray Tom he
might bring them in alive to show you and then sometimes loose them in the
house for you to chase round and find.
Maybe our cat thinks we enjoy turning the house upside down in the
evenings instead of going to bed. "Oh my staff are having such fun!"

My cat brings everything mouse/rat in deceased. He really good about
killing mice and small rats (but not the big ones) which we have to get
the terriers in for.
Once a terrier nearly got it's nose bitten off here by a rat when we had a
rat hunt. She didn't seem to mind. I was there with antiseptic but got
laughed at.
Well, they are some hard dogs. I have to make sure Boyfie, my cat, is in
the house before they get here.