Where do buddhists that live in the middle of Manhattan take mice once we catch them?

Question

I live in a 5th floor walk-up apartment in a busy crowded part of Manhattan. I have closed up all the holes in my walls except the mice can still come through the holes for my oven and refrigerator. I don't want to kill the mice but I don't want their c**p all over my apartment. What would a Buddhist do?

Answer 1

If you don't want to kill them then just get used to them. I think buddhist's eat them. hehe

Answer 2

Live trap the little squeakers and then release 'em in Central Park. Or any vacant lot with grass.

I have a friend who lives (without his permission) with lots of mice. He traps 'em, puts them into a bucket with a lid, and takes 'em out to a vacant lot behind his building every couple of days.

Best not to let the feral cats know you're coming...

Answer 3

What holes in your oven and refrigerator?  Just curious.  Can you plug the holes with steel wool?  Mice can't chew through it.  You don't have to make it airtight, just tight enough that a pencil can't poke through.

Don't release the mice in the park, it's illegal; and besides, the mice will only invade someone else's home (if they wanted to be living outside, they'd be there now).  If you can, release the mice 50 miles away from dense human habitation.  If that's not possible, some options:

   a. Get a cat.  

   b. Consider keeping the mice as pets...  A mouse can subsist on one peanut a week, and they only live 1-2 years.  Just keep boys and girls apart, or they'll breed.

   c. Find someone who has a pet snake, bullfrog or lizard and needs feeder mice (if that's ok with your beliefs).

   d. Try contacting a rescue organization like Sean Casey (link below).  If they won't take them, ask them to recommend someone who will.