[TowerTalk] Critter Chronicles

[Pete Smith]

I just went out to the base of my tower to check out the 160 shunt feed -- popped the top off the Rubbermaid box, which is side-mounted on my tower, and was amused to see the bottom of it virtually full of a mouse nest.  I poked at things a little, and eventually discovered three mature mice and three babies - suckling mightily on their mother.  One by one, they bailed out into the tall grass, including mama with the babies still attached.  I hope they all made it OK.

Looking at things, the only way they could have gotten in (and brought their nest materials in) was through a hole in the bottom of the box where the feedlines come in - it is at least 5 inches from the face of the tower.  Considering that the biggest of these mice was no longer than 2 inches long, that gives you some measure of the lengths to which critters will go in search of a sheltered place to nest.

 From now on, ALL holes in my boxes will be either caulked or screened.

73, Pete N4ZR
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