Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The House
My sister is a slob. I’m messy, but she is beyond that. She’s had a rat/mouse problem for a while now but managed to keep it fairly under control until she became bedridden. Then my niece moved in and refused to empty the traps. Or tell anyone that they needed to be emptied. After my sister went into the hospital in January of 05 Bebo found the carcass of a rat in a trap in Cathie’s bathroom. Yuck. No one has lived in this house for a year (except for a few the last couple of months). I should have known something was up when I got into Bebo’s car on Sunday and she said “You will wear gloves”. Huh? “I can’t wear gloves and wrap fragile items.” She told me there were new and old rat/mouse droppings all over the place. You can tell the difference by their size, btw. “I’m not wearing gloves. We should have picked up some sanitizer while we were out.” She had me fish some packets of antiseptic wipes from her glove compartment. We got there and it smelled god-awful like it normally does. After working for a few minutes, I realized that our hands were not the only things that needed protecting. Thankfully she had masks too. We both donned them. I’m a bit claustrophobic when I have to wear a mask, so I only worked 15 to 20 minutes before I had to go outside and breathe. Hence the sinus thing – it was windy and cold. We only worked 4 hours, not the entire day. We’ve decided to limit our exposure to the place to only 4 hours a Sunday. It’ll take longer to do, but its better this way. I wish I still had my half-feral cat MacKenzie. She lived for 18 months out in the elements – she would have been a great mouser. I wouldn’t have had any problem with leaving her out there for a week. The rodents would have been wiped out. Now if it were Texas cockroaches (or water bugs as some people call them) then Neely Shae would be the one you want. I’ve never seen a cat hunt bugs before. She smells them, goes along the floor like a hound dog on the scent. Anyway, I did manage to get four boxes and two large bins packed. We’ll be at it again next Sunday. Pray for me. *gg* Oh, and btw, my sister's house will forever be referred to as "The House".
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19 comments:
gawwwwwwwwwww Did you leave some windows open to air it out? Take care! That can be so dangerous!
Of course we didn't. That would be too logical.
Eeeewwww! Isn't there a a virus you can get from mouse droppings? Ummm, hanta virus(sp)? Be very, very careful and if you're not allergic to them, try latex gloves.
My 1st introduction to "water bug" is when we lived in Mississippi. OMG! And they fly! Squeeky would hunt them and I'd find a leg here or there. We were told that they were attracted to the smell of pine which was BAD because the house we lived in there had over 13 pine trees in the yard! The one thing I will never miss from MS!!
The hantavirus is caused by the deer mouse which is not supposed to be present in cities. I checked.
This summer we had a drought and more water bugs in the house than ever before (one of the drawbacks of pier and beam). I would find the dead carcasses under rugs - flattened of course.
OH ick - dead carcasses, bug or vermin - just squick me out.
So glad you checked about the mouse dropping issue..I was worried for you.
Too bad you couldn't have a window fan to suck out the stagnant air. Yeah, I know it's cold but to be trapped breathing that stuff?
**shudder**
I don't know if you'd want to leave your cats to hunt there... sounds like they'd get sick more than anything else.
Don't risk your fur babies.
Oh, shouldn't the house be referred to as Monster House?
It scares me just from your descriptions!
Have a wonderful Tuesday, Bailey!!!
eeeeewwww! mice and flying waterbugs, just grosses me out.
you're a brave woman to go into The House.
I had to do battle with mice, but never rats. My dad choked one when I was a boy. The rat ran into my bedroom and disappeared through a pipe hole to the basement. Rats give me the heebies.
Oh God! Having just got rid of mice I can imagine the damage and muck they left behind. And rats? Jeez. Don't you guys have handguns you can wipe them out with ;) (just kiddin' Honest :) Awful job. The rest of the family need a kick up the arse!!
One hears of "cat ladies" w/49 felines and squat all over, but a Rat Lady is something new!
I worried about the hantavirus too.
When I moved into my house, I pulled out the kitchen drawers and found rat droppings and traps. I think the house was so dirty even the vermin left. We've been fighting rats in the kids' playhouse outside. We spent Saturday evening cleaning up the last of the rat mess (we finally got rid of them...for now). Now if I could only get rid of the possum.
Yikes! If you leave some windows open make sure there aren't any holes in the screens or bats may decide to take up residence too.
I know rat droppings can some kind of disease, just can't remember the name. Be careful!
Yuck! Your sister's house sounds like my grandma's. My parents had an awful time of it when they had to clean it out to sell.
Bailey,
I'm actually commenting because I followed your profile from Scott's place and found your posts about agoraphobia.
I've agonized about my measure of disorder, figuring I surely must have some since I made it to this age mostly alone, but I've not experienced what you and your visitors at 'Little Steps' describe. In fact, I love to drive and travel--just as long as I'm alone. I wish you continued success and bravery.
I never realized how common it is in the reading/writing community, but I should have. Where else can we find the greatest comfort than safely in our houses while our minds can go roaming freely?
And your Blogger ID pic? AwwwwthelittleBAYbieeeeee--!
Up here in Alberta we are supposedly rat free (we patrol the borders - Seriously!) so I've never seen one, but I've seen my share of mice. Not lately, so that's a good thing.
I would suppose that you are working "The House" into a plot/wip somehow?
Meretta--why would a rat live in Canada when it can stay in Texas? I mean? Although our sewers are heated :)
Sounds awful. I lived in MS for 7 months and those flying bugs scared me to death. And the cockroaches too. We lived in a trailer that the owners sprayed twice a month - food and all - ugh. They have some thin gloves now adays that I'd give a try but I know what you mean and the mask too. What a sad mess.
Yeah, the water bugs in Arkansas nearly undid me during those formative college years. Please be careful, and perhaps formulate a horror novel while you pack.
Oh dear...yes, that can be dangerous. I hope you gals take the necessary precautions!
The House! Whew, I don't envy your work. Good luck!
I just popped by because you have the CUTEST little icon pictury thingy I've ever seen? How old is that adorable kitten? OMG, it's so precious!
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