I have a bird feeder over my back patio...mice now

[Shellback Squid]

caught two mice in my house with a humane trap, released them and asked them to stay out
aahh! I avoid killing any animal if possible but a balance emerged, two friendly stray cats have
found my corner very interesting, I have not seen mice near the feeder (it's been empty months)

[Backseat Driver]

1. My mom captured a live mouse under a floor canister

in the pantry and pitched it out the door. About two years later, she thought mice were inside again and, this time, set a trap. Wouldn't you know that same mouse with the imprint of the metal canister around his tail had been snared. My feeder was just cleaned and put away until I get new fresh seeds for winter. Had to stop feeding because of alerts about the summer eye fungus deaths. Never did get a definitive answer from the wildlife service about the cause...

[Shermann]

2. I'm a live and let live kind of guy

...but mice have to die.

There was that famous scene in Inglourious Basterds where Landa pontificated that mice are really like squirrels, and the reason you kill one and not the other is merely bias. The farmer accepted this blathering without a retort.

The reality is that squirrels generally prefer to remain outside, while mice will never quit trying to infiltrate human dwellings. They like to get in my house and trash my food pantry. I'm not down with that. They must die. Them and spiders. No mercy!

[EndlessWire]

4. I totally agree.

I am well past the sentimental point of live capture. Kill them all! The only ones I save are those stupid ones who fall into the dog water. Mice frequently drown in water. Just, fall in and drown. If they're swimming desperately, treading water, then my heart caves and I'll fish them out. I don't want that on my conscious. But, if you don't kill them, they will destroy your house. They will get into everything, live in your walls, contaminate your food, and chew your wiring. If they want to live, they will stay out of my house. Otherwise, death to the invaders! It's me or them; I choose me, and I didn't make them what they are!

[Shellback Squid]

6. good info, spiders have shelter in my house but little mammals that gnaw

not so much

[Raine]

7. I agree and it's best to get it/them right away because they multiply so fast.

I waited hoping it,/they would leave on their own or die naturally. 🙏 Instead of having to kill one or two I ended having to do away with 10! 😱I hated to do it, I felt so bad but couldn't have them over running my house.

[phylny]

3. I only feed in the winter because I don't want to

attract copperheads during the summer (because to a copperhad, a mouse or chipmunk must be tasty).

[Shellback Squid]

5. so I can't feed in the winter because copperheads or any snake will be hibernating, I live i n CO

[phylny]

8. I don't understand - are you asking me?

I feed in the winter and then stop in the spring.

[Shellback Squid]

9. no, rhetorical