Oh No! Does this mean there's a mouse in the house??

[mafibisha]

My mom lives on a woods, but she also has a CAT (and he's a cutie!)

I was just one of her guest room storage closests, on the second floor.

She has several things stored in plastic ziploc bags, and several of the bags had a few - maybe 4-5 little tears, tiny holes in them. She'd never store things in old, used bags!! So, could they be from a mouse??

I remember a friend had a mouse in their basement, and there were similar tiny holes in boxes.

But my mom has a cat! Who is totally indoor and wanders all around the house! Wouldn't he take care of a mouse??

I haven't mentioned this to my mom yet, or my husband, but am freaking for her!

What do y'all think?

 

[EllenFrasier]

I would say that there was a mouse at one time. It could be gone now.

 

[SandrA9810]

Are you sure it's not silverfish or book worms?? They're good at creating tiny holes in things. But I would think a mouse would do more damage than just create a hole.

I think you should suggest getting a cedar trunk. That's usually the best natural deteriant to keep pests and bugs out.

 

[mafibisha]

Are you sure it's not silverfish or book worms?? They're good at creating tiny holes in things. But I would think a mouse would do more damage than just create a hole.

I think you should suggest getting a cedar trunk. That's usually the best natural deteriant to keep pests and bugs out.

What are silverfish or bookworms? ewwww ... do I want to know?

 

[mackeysmom]

But my mom has a cat! Who is totally indoor and wanders all around the house! Wouldn't he take care of a mouse??

I have TWO indoor cats - yet I still catch a few field mice each year when the weather starts to get cold while they sit there and watch.

 

[kimblebee]

Just because you have a cat, doesn't mean you don't have a mouse/mice. My neighbor had a cat and had mice that would walk in front of the cat on a daily basis. The cat would watch the mouse walk by and do nothing.

 

[mafibisha]

Ok so if it was a mouse, does it mean it could still be there? Could there be more?

About the silverfish bookworm post - what are they? And if thats what she has, do they travel into clothes and stuff too? Yuck, I need to tell her tomorrow. Should she call an exterminator?

 

[SandrA9810]

silverfish. They like living in boxes mostly. And since they like eating through papers and books, they get called bookworms too.
Here's a link, or use Wikipedia:
http://bluestarbugs.com/silverfish.html

My grandparents used to have a pop up trailer that sat in the backyard for ages. Eventually it got sold or rid of some how. But I remember going in it as a kid because there were a few things stored in it. And well I was a nosey little brat. But some of the books I'd open up would have perfect holes in them. Kinda looks like what you'd see in an ant farm between glass.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

you sure it wasnt the CAT? mine loves to chew holes in bags, especally shopping bags. Ziplocks are his new favorite.

 

[kimblebee]

I don't want to freak you out but I learned that if you have one mouse, it is NEVER just one. Set some traps and nip it in the bud.

 

[SandrA9810]

Generally if it's a mouse, there would be more destruction. Like they'll chew through the box and bag to get to nesting materials or food.
So if it's just tiny holes, I'd think insects, not mice. But could you share a picture with us?? That might help a little more.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Generally speaking the best way to know if you have mice is do you see droppings? If there aren't any droppings, that is a good sign that you don't have them or the holes were created long ago.

 

[PollyannaMom]

you sure it wasnt the CAT? mine loves to chew holes in bags, especally shopping bags. Ziplocks are his new favorite.

I was wondering this too. My cats have definitely been know to chew on things.

Do you remember exactly what was in the bag with the holes?

 

[mafibisha]

Thanks all. I would post a pic but I transferred the ingredients to new bags for her. As for the ingredients, they were mostly papers. And there were also boxes next to the bags... Which makes me think they might be those insects, YUCK.

And I didn't see droppings and trust me, I looked.

She is such a neat nic (sp?) that she'd be mortified to think she had mice OR insects.

So if its yucky insects, do they eat into clothing too? She has clothes stored in both closets.

Should we get an exterminator? I would probably get it for her when she's away visiting my brother (in a couple weeks) so she wouldn't know.

 

[mafibisha]

Thanks all. I would post a pic but I transferred the ingredients to new bags for her. As for the ingredients, they were mostly papers. And there were also boxes next to the bags... Which makes me think they might be those insects, YUCK.

And I didn't see droppings and trust me, I looked.

She is such a neat nic (sp?) that she'd be mortified to think she had mice OR insects.

So if its yucky insects, do they eat into clothing too? She has clothes stored in both closets.

Should we get an exterminator? I would probably get it for her when she's away visiting my brother (in a couple weeks) so she wouldn't know.

Sorry to quote myself

But since google is my friend I think silverfish may be the culprit.

So to those who thought that might be the culprit, how do we get rid of them? Google lists some home remedies, but do they work? My mom can probably handle that, but a mouse, never.

Would appreciate any more helpful hints.

 

[tiggger1]

you sure it wasnt the CAT? mine loves to chew holes in bags, especally shopping bags. Ziplocks are his new favorite.

my cat loves to chew holes in plastic also!

 

[SandrA9810]

I have no idea. Never had to get rid of them before. I've found one or two unpacking boxes, but I usually kill them instantly.
You'd probably need to speak to a professional. They would know how to find the signs of them and if they're still present.
I wouldn't rule out the cat entirely unless the closet is kept shut. And it can't have access to it.

 

[scrapquitler]

The cat could make holes in ziploc bags. Mine tend to claw and chew at things, and that can happen easily enough. If there is a mouse, you'll see mouse droppings.

 

[manning]

I don't want to freak you out but I learned that if you have one mouse, it is NEVER just one. Set some traps and nip it in the bud.

I caught a mouse five times once.

 

[IUTBAM]

you sure it wasnt the CAT? mine loves to chew holes in bags, especally shopping bags. Ziplocks are his new favorite.

I was going to say the same thing. Our cat does this ALL the time! We can't leave any type of plastic bags out...I can't recall what it is, but there's something in the plastic that they like...