There’s a mouse in my (green)house!
By Fleur
@Fleura (35160)
United Kingdom
October 7, 2021 12:55am CST
When we moved to this house we gained a very nice greenhouse. This year it has been filled with cherry tomatoes, peppers and chillies, and a couple of cucamelons.#
The tomatoes all did well, as did the chillies which were super prolific. The peppers were doing OK, though they had been a bit slow to really get going, and there were about a dozen peppers ripening nicely. Then something started nibbling things.
At first just a couple of fallen fruits got a bit nibbled, so I didn’t worry. Then, unfortunately I was away for a few days, and when I got back I found about half the peppers had been gnawed! I was not amused.
A trap set with peanut butter captured the culprit, a mouse who has now been released in the woods. I think it must have climbed in in the summer when I had the side windows open. Now the windows and door are firmly shut and I guess I’m going to pick the rest of the peppers.
My only consolation is that the mouse must have had a bit of a surprise when it nibbled the chillies - I would love to have seen its reaction!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2021.
16 people like this
17 responses
@DaddyEvil (174749)
• United States
7 Oct 21
I hope you packed him a lunch before you took him on his trip. 
After all, he was just helping you care for the veggies you left unattended. 
After all, he was just helping you care for the veggies you left unattended. 2 people like this
@Fleura (35160)
• United Kingdom
7 Oct 21
He (actually I think it was she) only went on a short trip, I expect she'll be back by now! But I'm hoping she can make do with the bits of the veggies I don't want (from the compost heap) rather than the ones I haven't even had a chance to try yet!
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (174749)
• United States
7 Oct 21
@Fleura Hmm... you know that makes you sound kind of stingy, right?
I've always wondered why the animals that take a bite out of some fruit or veggie don't eat the whole thing before moving on to another and taking a bite out of it... Do you have any guesses on that?
I've always wondered why the animals that take a bite out of some fruit or veggie don't eat the whole thing before moving on to another and taking a bite out of it... Do you have any guesses on that?2 people like this
@Fleura (35160)
• United Kingdom
7 Oct 21
@DaddyEvil Because as soon as the fruit is damaged by a bite or peck it starts to spoil, so then of course they go for a fresh one. Very annoying when the birds take a couple of pecks out of every apple on the tree 
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
7 Oct 21
So kind of you to release little nibbler away in the forrest where it'll find food and leave your garden be.2 people like this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
8 Oct 21
@Fleura
Well I'm it's a wait and see situation, but I hope it finds wild food better than your garden.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
7 Oct 21
I have issues with the computer mouse and have just ordered for a new one Mice are trouble shooters is all what I can say
2 people like this
@toniganzon (77320)
• Philippines
7 Oct 21
Rats attack my plants. They dig on the soil and they eat the leaves and stems of my aroid plants. And that rat comes from a vacant lot next to our house. The climb up our fence and attack at night.
2 people like this
@Fleura (35160)
• United Kingdom
7 Oct 21
Nor me. I would love to have seen its little face after nibbling the chillies!
But maybe it didn't actually enjoy them - maybe it was trapped inside now the windows are shut and just didn't have anything else to eat. The first thing I noticed that had been eaten were some poppy seed-heads I had been saving for the seeds to use next year.
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58468)
• Germany
7 Oct 21
It is really nice to harvest vegetables from your own garden but the only problem are those mouse around your place that will eat some of it. It is not easy to get rid of them 
1 person likes this
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
8 Oct 21
Poor little mouse. He had thought himself to be part of the family only to be forced out into the cold, cruel woods. Really, did that all-you-can-eat buffet mean nothing?
It's good that you captured him before he had the chance to obliterate all of your peppers.
It's good that you captured him before he had the chance to obliterate all of your peppers.1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (136063)
• Marion, Ohio
7 Oct 21
Hope he stays out there where he belongs
1 person likes this
@zhangxueying (3362)
• China
8 Oct 21
Since I was a child, I watched my father clip mice with a mouse trap because it would eat the corn in our storage room.It can also dig holes.Therefore, there has always been a topic about mice in mom and dad's life1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54741)
• United States
7 Oct 21
It’s good that you were able to remove the mouse.
1 person likes this
