Frankly, your landlady is being a bitch. I would be thinking about moving. She has invaded your space to a ridiculous degree, and now she's lecturing you? Please.

Hil, I agree with Flea; your landlady is way out of line.

The Teacup household is feeling better but not enough to actually considering cooking real food tonight, so we ended up getting pizza delivered.

Moving really isn't much of an option.

This is just not a great day. Physically not doing great, and in addition to this mouse stuff, there was a whole bunch of other irritating stuff at work that I really shouldn't have to deal with, because my students are 18 and not 6, but sometimes they act like they're 6.

Hil, sorry she's such a bitca. It's not you.

FFS, Hil, she actually shook her finger at you? That wouldn't be appropriate even if it were somehow your fault that there are mice, which it isn't. The mice are coming in because it's warm inside and they can smell food - even food that isn't sitting around waiting for them. Also, you might mention the previous tenant's cats the next time you see her.

Also also, there are little things you can plug into the wall that emit ultrasonic noise that chases away rodents but don't bother people (or non-rodent pets). If I were your landlady, I would buy two or three of them for the apartment. I cannot personally verify that they work, but it might be worth a try. Me, I would try those before I got a dog that I wasn't otherwise considering obtaining. Less commitment!

I've not heard of those before Zen but I am interested. There are rats in the neighborhood now that the raccoons have vacated. Who knew I'd ever miss the raccoons? But I guess they kept the rats at bay. We haven't found any in the house or the attic, but I am a little freaked out none the less.

Zen, do you have any links to those, with webpages without rodent pictures?

We have a few of those, and I think they work. I haven't heard any skittering noises, and the cat hasn't stared intently into corners.

I think I have a much higher tolerance for visitors like that, because I grew up in an old house in the country, and intruders are kind of inevitable.

Amazon has some of them here. There's a rodent in the second photo so don't look at any of the alternate photos, Hil. Reviews seem mixed on whether they work, but they're cheap enough I'd try them.

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OMG. I got sleep last night, and I totally was like "OK, I didn't get much work done this afternoon, but I'm going to clean and tidy and get shit done tonight! And/or catch up on TiVo!" And instead, I think I'm going to bed. At 8:30PM. Because I've been contemplating it for an hour and don't even have the energy to turn on the tv and concentrate on a show.

Only problem is the cat is cuddling me on the couch. Hmm....sleep on couch?

Just got this email from her:

As we spoke about this evening, you need to keep clean (wherever you may find yourself). If you are unable to do so, I most certainly will come in to handle the matter for you on a regular basis. The line is drawn: no further problems may ensue, after this episode is concluded (I am hoping that another mouse will come forward).

If you are phobic, as you assert, the implication is that you will do anything possible to avoid inviting them. If you find that you cannot, as above, I will, count on me.