mouse in greenhouse

Yes - the main reason I raise most of my plants in modules prior to planting out, is to protect them from pests.. mostly slugs, but also mice. I experimented with planted peas direct this year, and mice ate the lot.  So it is somewhat depressing to find there is a mouse (or mice) in my greenhouse.

The compost in modules have been turned out.. and seeds stolen.  I am waiting for squash seeds to germinate that just aren’t there! I moved as much as possible into propagators, but this morning, my sweetcorn was turned out.. and out of a tray of 24, all bar 4 were gone.  We had set a trap.. and the peanut butter bait was gone.. but the trap failed to close.

Today I encouraged Ebb, the cat, into the greenhouse. He was delighted.  Last time he ventured in, he luxuriated on my delicate little seedlings, and I sent him packing. 

Ebb is a great hunter, always bringing us rodents home. Of course, I wish he ate them outside. Worse is when he does not eat them.. and either releases them alive (himself has got very good at catching mice by the tail as a result), or the sweet smell of death makes us take a room apart until we find the body…

I figured he would come into the greenhouse.. sniff about.. paw excitedly behind some pots.. maybe even catch the blighter, and certainly the scent of cat would send the mice packing.  Instead of course he tried to luxuriate on my seedlings again, causing different but just as fatal damage to them as the mouse - before settling in my potting tray for a nice nap. 

Meanwhile sowing had slowed right down, as the propagators are full.  So.. just have to hope Ebb-scent is enough.. or the trap works this time..