Mice/Rats

[katiemed]

This might be a dumb question but I have heard that there are lots of mice/rats on the island. I know that an island is expected to have a lot of rodents/bugs/etc...the bugs I can probably tolerate, but I am absolutely terrified of mice and rats (a bad experience when I was younger).

What do you guys do to keep them out of the house? Are they in the dorms too? How bad is this situation on the island? Terrified!! I have been accepted, and I'm looking forward to starting if I can only overcome this small fear :)

[thedirtychemist]

I live in Lower Hells Gate and we RARELY get bugs and absolutely no mice (yet). The key is to keep your house clean of food crumbs to prevent appearance of the little critters.

Traps, insecticides, and the like are widely available in the stores.

My advice is to do a THOROUGH clean-up of your place when you arrive. Some of these places are not so clean.

[Bruce]

This might be a dumb question but I have heard that there are lots of mice/rats on the island. I know that an island is expected to have a lot of rodents/bugs/etc...the bugs I can probably tolerate, but I am absolutely terrified of mice and rats (a bad experience when I was younger).

What do you guys do to keep them out of the house? Are they in the dorms too? How bad is this situation on the island? Terrified!! I have been accepted, and I'm looking forward to starting if I can only overcome this small fear :)
Buy or Rent a CAT.... A really big CAT!!!!:) :)

[rdecastro]

Just make certain that you live in a concrete (instead of wood) house. The rats can't get through the concrete.

[thedirtychemist]

Buy or Rent a CAT.... A really big CAT!!!!:) :)

There are lots of cats on the island to adopt!

[katiemed]

Thanks! Renting or getting a cat is not an option as I am allergic to certain cats :(

Are there mostly houses or apartments on the island? Is concrete housing hard to come by since most of the homes on the island are older.

[sabaspouse2006]

Aw Katie, it is okay.

Out of the 10 - 12 housing units I've seen/been in, only one has had mice. They set a few traps and then the mouse problem was solved. We have an older wooden house and there are no mice. When you go to look at housing, ask the landlord. If s/he says there are no mice, ask him/her if she will come take care of the problem if it becomes one.

Ants/bugs/cockroaches are much harder to get rid of.

There are rats on the island but mostly they live outdoors and come out in the dusk/dark. I don't think they live in housing where people are.

I hope that helps. I don't necessarily understand your fear but I don't think it would need to be a problem here.

R/

PS. I think the cat comment was a joke.......

[pedsurgery]

I'm sure there are many mouse traps, pesticides available at stores...