A 'little' problem!!

[jesse1dog]

I keep most of my photo gear in a cupboard under the stairs - its warm and dry there. Other things are kept there too. While I was waiting for the weather to clear so that I could finish off preparing a seed bed, I kept a packet of grass seed there. Packet is stout plastic, really thick, and completely sealed. All was fine.
You can guess what happened!
Went in to the cupboard one day last week to find grass seed all over the place, chewed plastic packet, and mouse droppings.
It took 40 mins to clear up the mess, transfer the seed to a tin, find a mouse trap and set it.
Closed the door and the had to go back in to collect a brush hanging on the back of the door. It was only 40 mins since I set the trap but I had caught a mouse! Was this 2 inch long monster field mouse the culprit? Probably because having reset the trap I haven't caught another - yet!

So what's the photographic significance?
I have camera bags and cases in the cupboard.
Are these at risk of mouse attack?
Has anyone else experience to add here?

Incidentally the trap is a humane one - doesn't harm the mouse other than his/her self esteem. So far I have caught over a dozen mice this year. I live in an old house made of stones 'cemented' with a variety of materials - mud and heather in places. Sometimes I am surprised it stands up but the bottom walls are over 3 feet thick. Of course with this sort of construction the walls are riddled with passages for mice and creepy crawlies!
I took the mouse over the 'main' road and let him out of the trap - he made a bee line for a hole in a tree and disappeared.

 

[laptoprob]

First of all, 'mouse' doesn't exist. It is always 'mice'.
If they feel like having a bite at a camera or strap or case you're out of luck. Hard to predict what fancies a mouse...
Ever found droppings in that cupboard before? If not, they might stay away if the seed stays out of reach.

good luck hunting!

 

[kshapero]

remove all camera equipment at once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BillBingham2]

You might think of moving to metal ammunition case. They are water proof and MICE proof. Rob is right, they are always in pairs. Ammo cases come in different sizes, add a desiccant into each and you have a WONDERFUL solution for storing cameras and lenses even in the most inhospitable places.

B2 (;->

 

[ferider]

You need a cat. Good for lens tests too.

 

[MartinP]

Hmmmm, some cats are better at hunting than others. You need to find one that maybe doesn't look much but does the job effectively. You could call it "Tessar".

I have had, among other things, a rucsac chewed through by mice without any obvious reason, except maybe a bit of mud making them curious. They will have a go gnawing on anything even if they then decide it isn't edible after all. Also, don't under estimate the effects of mouse/rat urine....

Ammo-boxes are probably mouse-proof, but it might be easier to find some of those big, hard-plastic, storage boxes with lids on and wheels. Those would be ok if there wasn't anything very tasty inside.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Do not store photo equipment with any food products. Mice can chew through hard dry wood (furniture) where food is stored. I have never heard of mice chewing metal but I have witnessed rabbits chew on plastic.

 

[BillBingham2]

Some animals have teeth that need to be “whittled” back so they will naturally chew on anything. Mice go for food, anything food has been in, even if its just some hands with food smell on them, they will try to find a way in if they are that hungry. I get them in the basement from time to time, mostly when it gets cold outside and they are looking for warmth and food. I love plastic bins as you can see in them as you are looking for something, but animal proof they are not.

B2 (;->

 

[danwilly]

Nothing to worry about. Mice don't know how to shoot a camera let alone load film into it.

 

[Juancho]

I could keep your photographic stuff at home

 

[RML]

Mice can even cut through electric wire (and not just the plastic) but I doubt they'll take on ammo boxes. Those big plastic storage containers are a different matter when they smell "food" in it. Leather is also food for mice.

 

[Keith]

I'm a great believer of having photo gear NOT stored away in dark nooks . I used to do it myself and read a few things about what lack of light can do to lenses etc ... not to mention what the wildlife may do! I keep all my camera gear in a glass fronted cabinet that sits in a well ventilated area and all the gear is easily accessable for regular fondling and running through shutter speeds etc ... I store my lenses without front caps fitted and make a point of sitting them on the window ledge in full light frequently. I do this with cameras as well and sort of do it on a rotational basis. I truly believe that dark is the enemy ... it encourages strange growth that clouds lenses and eats cloth curtains.

Keep'em where ya can see'm I say! 😀

 

[sepiareverb]

Mouse is ALWAYS Mice. Rob is right on this one. If you caught a mouse that quickly there are likely many. More than a few droppings means many mice. I have a house with likely a hundred mice, two cats and still a hundred mice. They kill several every night, but the mice are always there.

My aunt used the humane traps and caught mice regularly. Took them across the road to set them free. Thought one kept looking familiar, so she put nail polish on it's tail. The next day it was back in the trap, it had crossed the road, travelling about 300 yards to return to it's home.

As to equipment- I keep my things out on a shelf outside my darkroom, away from the panty or basement. Mice are in the darkroom as well, and leave sh1t in the film drying area. Found a nest in my darkroom laundry bag after two weeks of having towels in there. They have thus far left the RF equipment alone, but the bellows on my 810 became a wonderful chew-toy for them while stored on a shelf and not in the hard case.

 

[Bryce]

Mice also chew on things to make bedding for themselves... Nothing is safe!

 

[40oz]

humane traps are for people, traps that kill are for mice, IMHO.

if the climate supports it, get a stray cat from the local pound, feed it a small amount of food and water daily, provide a small house for comfort, and let it live out it's life outside your domicile, feeding on vermin. If you share affection, so much the greater. Call it your private tiger 🙂

Otherwise, use traps that kill, dump the carcass far from the house, and consider yourself feeding the local carnivores/scavengers rather than killing mice. I also second the display case for camera gear - far less problems, you have nothing to hide, and a case keeps dust and mold out of the gear.

 

[back alley]

i have read that cedar shavings/chips keep mice away.

 

[eli griggs]

i have read that cedar shavings/chips keep mice away.

I've heard the same thing for mothballs in mouse holes but cats are more entertaining and proactive.

If you insist on the humane trap, buy a pet python or boa as a final destination.

Eli

 

[nikon_sam]

Get a trap that kills the rodent, hang the body by it's tail for the other mice to see...
Then get a cat or two...

 

[jesse1dog]

But I already have 'the dog that chased the cat that ate the rat ...' - so the idea of a cat around the house isn't such a good idea - pet python or boa constrictor though .....but another thought on that one! 'Her what is inside' was bitten by a grass snake in our garden and that made a very bad mess of her leg! Can't imagine what the python might do!

As usual with anything Keith writes - that got me thinking.
I like the idea of having all my gear around, out 'on display', and in the light. If light keeps his glass clear then I think I might follow suit.
Can it be really true that light cuts down the possibility of mould?

I'm surprised that there are so many mice around the world, or its the same mouse that keeps on turning up - loved the idea of marking with nail varnish!

 

[peterm1]

Ever since I had a flood from the upstairs neighbor's water heater which almost ruined my cameras (stored under the bed etc but not in waterproof storage) I now store my cameras in small plastic "bins" with a clip top that prevents anything getting in. I had a narrow call and by pure luck I got the cameras out before the water got to them. Now I am not taking chances and yes the bins have dessicant in them for good measure. These would probably be mouse proof except to the most determined mouse - I suppose a really hungry one could chew through the plastic, but I do not have an infestation problem so that is OK. I would not discount rats having a try but I am fortunate in that I live in a new apartment with no nasties. Then again who would have thought that a water heater would bsrt in a three year old modern apartment?