A better mouse trap?

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You will need a 3 lb coffee can, a piece of lath, some water and a piece of pepperoni. Staple the piece of pepperoni on one end of the lath. Rig the piece of lath across the side of the coffee can so that the weight of the mouse will cause the lath to tip and dump the mouse into four inches of water in the bottom of the can.

-- RT (Rngfr49@Yahoo.com), December 15, 1999

Answers

RT, How are you going to prevent the mouse from climbing the lath right out of the can? Better put some small towels out for him to dry off!

-- freddie (freddie@thefreeloader.com), December 16, 1999.

Freddie et al,

Picture a swimming pool. The diving board secured near the midpoint. Walk to the pool end of the board. It will tip and you will fall into the water. Because the board is secured it will not fall with you. It will recover to horizontal when your weight is removed.

Now. Picture a 3 lb coffee can with lath secured on the rim in the same manner as the diving board at the swimming pool. Mr Mouse goes to eat the pepperoni secured at the end of the lath. His weight causes the lath to tip. Mr Mouse falls into the water in the coffee can. The lath resumes horizontal position when the weight of the mouse is removed.

-- RT (Rngfr49@yahoo.com), December 17, 1999.


I once read of someone taking an empty spool {from thread}, passing a wire through it, and fastening it over a bucket that had water in it. They then coated the spool with peanut butter, and supposedly the mice jumped onto the spool for a bit of log-rolling until they fell into the water.

All I know is rats can keep swimming for a very long time if their life depends on it, and as an ol' softie - it's hard to watch something struggling to survive.

-- flora (***@__._), December 17, 1999.


Flora

I have been feeling pangs of pity thinking of a creature that is drowning too. Poisoning is also awful, and I think the sticky traps are the worst. Poor things! They are only trying to live. I know - it's the disease and destruction. I get rid of mice too, but I feel real bad about it every time. Ever since I read Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse" my heart has become much softer towards all living creatures.

Boggles the mind what man does to his fellow MAN. (Burns wrote powerful poems about that too!)

-- citygirl (citygirl@idirect.com), December 17, 1999.


citygirl,

I'll have to track down that poem, thanks for letting me know about it. I love ol' Bobbie Burns, we happen to know one of his young descendents - kinda neat to see the continuum.

Wishing you the best,

-- flora (***@__._), December 17, 1999.



Found It!

http://www.electricscotland.com/burns/mouse.html

{ sorry us sentimentalists hijacked your thread, RT }

-- flora (***@__._), December 17, 1999.


It is still a free country so far this week.

You have a right to your opinion freely expressed.

-- RT (Rngfr49@yahoo.com), December 17, 1999.


Flora

Thank you for finding the site. I have read the poem countless times, but I was thrilled to read the introduction. This is exactly what I have always thought about it. So nice to see I'm not alone. Let us know what you think of it. Every time someone says 'the best laid plans' (tho it's an incorrect quote) I think of Burns and how he struggled with the land but still rose to the heights.

(RT - thanks for being so sweet. We know there has to be a practical side to life - mice spread disease - but we don't have to like it!)

-- citygirl (citygirl@idirect.com), December 18, 1999.


RT,

You're alright, kiddo.

Today's sidetrack tip of the day is: the reason the rat is so revered in Japanese art is because you had have good fortune to be able to have enough food leftover to have a rat problem.

citygirl,

Of mice & men brought thoughts of Stienbeck back, as well. Thought I must admit, those thoughts are not so far away these days.

Best of luck, all.

-- flora (***@__._), December 18, 1999.


The Robert Burns poem To a Mouse

Wee, sleeket, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,... ... But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley, An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain For promis'd joy.

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me! The present only toucheth thee: But, och! I backward cast my e'e On prospects drear! An' forward, tho' I canna see, I guess an' fear!

-- RT (Rngfr49@yahoo.com), December 18, 1999.



RT

Thanks for the quote!

Here's a loose slightly anglicized translation:

Wee, sleek timorous cowering beastie...

But mousie thou art not alone In proving foresight may be vain The best laid schemes of mice and men Go oft awry And leave us nothing but grief and pain for promised joy.

Still thou are blessed compared with me The present only toucheth thee But oh backwards I cast my eye on prospects dreary

And forward, tho I cannot see I guess and fear!

(Sorry the rythym suffered a bit)

Oh man - those lines have an eerie chill to them - almost like a prophesy of what we may be/are about to endure.

Best wishes to all of you. You will all so much be in my thoughts on Dec. 31st and after. Sure hope this board will continue.

-- citygirl (citygirl@idirect.com), December 18, 1999.


Of mice and rats we've had our share

Their feelings or pain? 'Tis hard to care

Would I rather see my children's tummies swell

Or send those disease ridden rodents straight to hell

Call me Jeckle or call me Hyde

On precious stores, survival rides

With poison, trap, or handle of broom

I bode the reaper of rat pack doom

Now I like Mickey, Minnie, and the boys

Mighty mouse, a hero of child hood joys

But an invader of stealth and stink and guile

Will receive the welcome, RSVP'd for the vile

Rats Beware!!

-- spun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), December 20, 1999.


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