moparlover
Well-Known Member
although we do what we can to prevent mice in our homes, sometimes the unthinkable will happen. hopefully this advice will save lives. we dont want to lose anyone else from FABO.
If a mouse attacks you, try to retreat slowly. Back up slowly and try to put more space between you and the mouse. Talk calmly so that it can identify you as human, and slowly back up. Don't make direct eye contact, but keep a close look at the mouse as you back away.
Climb a tree if available. If you have enough time, and the mouse continues to move closer, take advantage of a tall tree to climb. Remember, black mice (or squirrels) are strong climbers as well. Field mice have also climbed short distances up trees after people. You want to get at least 10 m (33 feet) high to reduce the chance of being pulled out of the tree. Even though some rodents can come up the tree after you, the hope is that they will feel less threatened, and thus less likely to chase you up the tree.
If the mouse charges you. Mice will often bluff charge before attacking. This is designed to allow enemies to back down before the mouse needs to actually make contact. It evolved as a way to prevent encounters with enemies and it may provide you with an opportunity to back away.
Use your pepper spray. This is a last resort. Pepper spray is only good at very close range (5 m or 15 ft). Wind will reduce this effective range even farther (and may blow the spray back into your face). If the mouse approaches within this range, point the spray at its eyes and discharge the contents. Hopefully, this will either disorient the mouse to allow you to escape, or at the very least deter it from attacking. Once you have partially discharged a canister of pepper spray it should be discarded. While the spray may deter attacks, the smell of pepper can act as an attractor.
If a mouse (or any rodent that is stalking you) makes contact. If the attack escalates and a mouse physically contacts you, fight back with anything that is available to you. Domestic mice or squirrels tend to be more timid than field mice and fighting back may scare the mouse off. In addition, if a mouse is stalking you then you are in a predatory situation and fighting back is your only option. This also applies to any attack at night as these may also be considered predatory in nature.
If you believe the mouse to be stalking you, fight back with everything you have. In general though, playing dead in a daytime mouse encounter tends to reduce the level of injury sustained by most attack victims. Many mouse attacks are defensive in nature, and playing dead may show the mouse that you are not a threat. If you are out hiking, keep your backpack on as it will provide added protection. The best position is to lie on your side in a fetal position. Bring your legs up to your chest and bury your head into your legs. Wrap your arms around your legs and hold on tight. You may also lie on your stomach, backpack on, and place your hands behind your neck to protect that vulnerable area. Do not play dead until the last moment. Staying on your feet may allow you to dodge, or divert an attack.
After the attack. Once the attack has ended, remain patient. After a few minutes, try to determine if the mouse is still in the area. If the mouse has moved on, you should make your way towards assistance as quickly as possible.
If a mouse attacks you, try to retreat slowly. Back up slowly and try to put more space between you and the mouse. Talk calmly so that it can identify you as human, and slowly back up. Don't make direct eye contact, but keep a close look at the mouse as you back away.
Climb a tree if available. If you have enough time, and the mouse continues to move closer, take advantage of a tall tree to climb. Remember, black mice (or squirrels) are strong climbers as well. Field mice have also climbed short distances up trees after people. You want to get at least 10 m (33 feet) high to reduce the chance of being pulled out of the tree. Even though some rodents can come up the tree after you, the hope is that they will feel less threatened, and thus less likely to chase you up the tree.
If the mouse charges you. Mice will often bluff charge before attacking. This is designed to allow enemies to back down before the mouse needs to actually make contact. It evolved as a way to prevent encounters with enemies and it may provide you with an opportunity to back away.
Use your pepper spray. This is a last resort. Pepper spray is only good at very close range (5 m or 15 ft). Wind will reduce this effective range even farther (and may blow the spray back into your face). If the mouse approaches within this range, point the spray at its eyes and discharge the contents. Hopefully, this will either disorient the mouse to allow you to escape, or at the very least deter it from attacking. Once you have partially discharged a canister of pepper spray it should be discarded. While the spray may deter attacks, the smell of pepper can act as an attractor.
If a mouse (or any rodent that is stalking you) makes contact. If the attack escalates and a mouse physically contacts you, fight back with anything that is available to you. Domestic mice or squirrels tend to be more timid than field mice and fighting back may scare the mouse off. In addition, if a mouse is stalking you then you are in a predatory situation and fighting back is your only option. This also applies to any attack at night as these may also be considered predatory in nature.
If you believe the mouse to be stalking you, fight back with everything you have. In general though, playing dead in a daytime mouse encounter tends to reduce the level of injury sustained by most attack victims. Many mouse attacks are defensive in nature, and playing dead may show the mouse that you are not a threat. If you are out hiking, keep your backpack on as it will provide added protection. The best position is to lie on your side in a fetal position. Bring your legs up to your chest and bury your head into your legs. Wrap your arms around your legs and hold on tight. You may also lie on your stomach, backpack on, and place your hands behind your neck to protect that vulnerable area. Do not play dead until the last moment. Staying on your feet may allow you to dodge, or divert an attack.
After the attack. Once the attack has ended, remain patient. After a few minutes, try to determine if the mouse is still in the area. If the mouse has moved on, you should make your way towards assistance as quickly as possible.
