Yesterday I went by the hardware store on Stadium and bought both another pair just like the "food" ones (which have hosted to date 4 mice, at least 3 of them distinct) AND a different sort -- a large metal cage-like trap that will hold "30 ratones". It's kind of cool -- it resets itself.
This morning, the familiar trap was still set, the bucket with food at the bottom was empty but for food, but I didn't even need to stoop and shine a light to see that the large metal one was occupied. A tiny white inquisitive nose was peeking out.
It was late enough, that I piled us into the car and drove to a nearby park. I'm not SURE it was different from the very first mouse (the bouncy one with big ears) I caught. I think both the colors and the personality were a little different, but I was at a different angle, and s/he's a bit older and more experienced now.
So when I get home "at midnight" I'll need to figure out how to clean this trap, do so, and reposition it.
I think it's not quite so frightening for the critters. The only mess I saw was the debris from the birdseed I baited it with. This one seemed to have an "I'm trapped; may as well eat" mindset.
