It's the time of year in Edmonton when people in Edmonton look to snuggle up in a warm home, away from the ever-increasing cold. It's a time when love grows fonder as the days grow shorter. Unfortunately, this applies to more than Edmonton's human population. This is also the time of year when house mice seek out shelter by entering the home.

We knew we had at least one mouse a couple of weeks ago, when we were watching television in our basement. As the show we were watching went into break, we heard the sound of scurrying feet in the ceiling above us, a pause, a loud squeeeeeeeak, and then more scurrying. After a few more scurries and some foul looks from K, I went to the local hardware store and picked up some bait stations, mouse bait, and 4 traps thinking that would definitely take care of the problem. After all, there must only be one or two, I thought, and if the bait doesn't get them the traps certainly will.

Turns out I was a little optimistic; Since Monday I've caught three mice in the traps (and of course, K being the staunch feminist she is, it's up to me to remove the dead mice from the premises) and there's signs that other mice have been eating the bait. I have one trap left, set in the place where 2 of the 3 mice have been caught, and I think I'll have to head out tonight to get some more.

Update: We found 3 more mice over the weekend, all around the refrigerator. If I never smell the smell of vinegar (from cleaning up mouse bits) again, it'll be too soon.