There's a mouse in my kitchen, and it's mocking me.

[MommyBird]

My kids are past the small rodent age now but we had our fair share. Most of the little furry guys are all buried in the back yard. One or two went out with the trash.
We had at least six pet store mice and they were delightful little pets. The cages are a pain but their little personalities are worth it.
We had two Gerbils.
Gerbils are a bit anti-social and hamsters are so popular the stores are usually sold out. My kids decided against hamsters after spending time with their friends'. Hamsters just were not as much fun as mice.
Cooper was our favorite. he was a little runt with allergies and he sneezed all the time. He loved to be held and he would close his eyes and lean in when you rubbed his cheeks. We honored him by giving his name to our Jack Russel.

If you think your daughter could handle cage duty, I would go for a pet store mouse. Mice are super cheap but the cages can get expensive and you have to replace their bedding often. A glass tank is the best cage option. You can get toys that sit in the bottom. A wheel without slots is a must. TP rolls are a favorite.

I'll share my country living mouse experience later.

[channlluv]

Thanks, but no. Every time we walk into our local Petco, that rodent smell assaults my senses...I swear I don't know why they think that's a selling point for anything. Mommy doesn't do the rodent thing. They're welcome out in the flower bed. Not inside my house.

DD has to be reminded to clean the litter box, which is in her room. I wonder sometimes if her sense of smell has been diminished from living in close proximity to her cat.

Roxy

[Lex87]

I once had a similar experience with a monster spider. It just keep on appearing and scuttling across my carpet and I swear I could see it every once and a while lurking just at the corner of my eye. I never did outwit and catch the little bugger but it's been a few months since his last appearance.

[bcipam]

Thankfully vermints have a short life span. Most don't live more than a few months. The problem with mice is they can multiply.

Don't have to tell you make sure there is nothing the mouse can use or get into... particularly paper goods which a mouse likes for nesting materials. You can also try and close up all the holes or spaces the mouse can use but just know he can eat through it.

I used to think mice were cute but now with some of the diseases they carry, it's best not to have them inside.

Last and best option, adopt a cat (someone may have suggested that already). Cat owners seldom have problems with mice, spiders or any bugs!

[lph]

well.... in summer we have the greatest mouser in the neighbourhood - up at my in-laws cabin in the mountains she averaged 6 to 10 mice a day for weeks - but she'll still happily bring them in, alive and kicking, with a mrrr? look what I brought home for you too to play with, you lucky people!

And kazam, we have a mouse or two or three under the bookshelf.

But no, they don't come in of their own accord, that's true.

[redrhodie]

well.... in summer we have the greatest mouser in the neighbourhood - up at my in-laws cabin in the mountains she averaged 6 to 10 mice a day for weeks - but she'll still happily bring them in, alive and kicking, with a mrrr? look what I brought home for you too to play with, you lucky people!

And kazam, we have a mouse or two or three under the bookshelf.

But no, they don't come in of their own accord, that's true.

How economical of her to make her own toys!

[OakLeaf]

My experience with cats is that they just drive the mice further into the walls. Not where you want them.