Take pictures of the damage. Let them know it's happening and suggest
that a cat door on your tack room might solve the problem. Until the
situation is resolved, take your tack home, put your other supplies in a
tack box (Rubbermaid) and let it go at that. I know that it's a pain to
lug your saddle around, but it beats having to replace the fleece! Also,
keeping treats somewhere besides the tack room will help.
I hate poison because the mice stink up the place when they die! In the
spring, have a friend who likes snakes get you a couple of harmless
garter, rat or black snakes and turn them loose in or under the barn.
You will likely never see them again and they will solve your mouse/rat
problem very nicely.
Don't count on your owner to replace what you've lost, but if you
document any major damage (saddles, etc.) you will have a case for small
claims court. You can sue to recover damages for negligence on their
part, but you will have to prove your case. Most small claims have a $50
filing fee and you can sue for up to $5000, but it depends on your
state/county laws.
This is a VERY unhealthy situation for you and the other boarders.
Rodent droppings contain hanta virus and can make you really sick!!
Don't be afraid to let them know in a reasonable manner (tactfully and
politely) that first, damage is being done, and second offer a solution
(the cat door, traps, etc.). If they refuse to address the problem, take
legal action. Seriously though, as distasteful as snakes are to many
people, they are the BEST rodent solution, hands down! You can find a
local herpetologist by contacting pet stores that deal in local snakes
for pets. Do NOT turn an exotic snake loose anywhere!! Make sure it is a
local species!
Good luck!
Tracey
On 1/10/2013 9:50 PM, Arabmom2002 wrote:
> Please help!! I need some advice on what to do about a pretty bad mouse problem in the tackroom at the place i board my horse at.
> I dont know what to do. The mice have ruined alot of stuff,not just my stuff either. They are chewing holes in saddle pads,chewing the fleece from under saddle,eating holes in leg wraps,splint boots and turnout blankets. Everything is covered in mouse droppings and probably urine also. They recently ate through a hard plastic container and finnished off half a container of horse treats as well as a 2 pound bag of smarties(candy)
> I try to keep my edible stuff in closed containers,but not everyone does and i am tired of everytime i pull down my saddle pad from a top rack and get pelted with mouse poop. I tried glue traps and all it did was get full of dirt and dust balls etc... I have been afraid to try anything like Decon because of the dogs and cats on the farm. I know the cats wont eat a dead mouse but i cant say the same thing for sure about the dogs. I have thought about having everyone in that tack room take all there stuff home for a few weeks and plugging holes with steel wool after filling them with poison. I know that would be a bit of a inconvenience but what else can i do. I do plan to talk to the owners of the stable, but i dont want them to get mad at me. There personal tack room doesnt seem to have a mouse problem,but then again there is a cat door in there room and the two VERY well fed barn cats live in there since its heated. Our tack room is also heated. Its
> disgusting and destructive and i dont think we as boarders should have to deal with that. I do not hold the owners responsible for it and i will even use my own money to try and fix the problem.But how do i do it without causeing hurt feelings.??? Also if you have any suggestions on what else i could try to get rid of the mice it would be much appreciated. Thanks.
>
> R
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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