Rat or Mouse???

Ack, I was posting at the same time as Liz.

Liz , I'd have been the same so I did the cowardly thing with the clippy neck-snapper thingy. I hope his family moves, too so you don't have to deal with any more funerals.

We haven't had any problems with pests of any sort since we started keeping ALL edibles in the pantry in plastic Rubbermaid containers and ALL kitchen garbage on a designated shelf in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Scorpions are the sole exception but they seem to be strolling for exercise rather than foraging for food.

hey dntw8up,

Do you live on STT or STX? I'm asking because you mentioned scorpions. I haven't seen any yet and I've been on STX for 7 years. Of course, I don't go looking for them, but yikes! scorpions strolling in the house is pretty darned scary!

hey islandjoan.

I live on STT. I don't know why we have scorpions when our friends here don't seem to have them. We squash two or three each month and I refuse to walk barefoot in the house because of them. In addition to abundant fresh produce, one of the things I most enjoy about off-island vacations is walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night without first waking up enough to don flip flops.

dnt: In all my years here I have seen 2 scorpions- both in the weeks after Hurricane Marilyn. Maybe you are attracting them?? 😉

hey dntw8up,

Yeah I thought you were on STT; I've heard there are more scorpions over there than over here on STX. Funny you should mention donning flip flops at night! Just last night I was thinking about how I DON'T have to wear them anymore in the middle of the night! (I live in a third floor condo now, which is blissfully free of critters.) When I lived in a house, it was a different story—seemed like every other week a huge centipede would enter the house (which had a basement!) but at least my cat would kill most of them. For anyone with bugs or critters, I recommend getting an island cat from the shelter, it will be worth its weight in gold!

The humane society has some very well trained kitties. Granted, you might find a few carcasses at your doorstep, but consider a sign of affection!

If your living situation allows it, I also recommend getting yourself an island cat. They are amazing hunters and I pity any unwelcome creature that crosses their path.

We were adopted by a young island cat shortly after we moved to STT and she is SO lively, wonderful and fun -- she gives us joy and entertainment every single day!

Getting yourself an island cat (or two) is a total win-win. They are wonderful pets and will definitely keep your house free of any unwanted visitors.

🙂