I am the Mean Lady

Our raccoon saga continues!

We called the exterminator, who - after having been paid hundreds of dollars - put a chemical "bomb" inside the ceiling with the naughty Mommy Raccoon and her four little offspring. We thought this would have the effect of being so smelly to Mommy that she would bundle up her little babies and move to less smelly pastures. And move she did.... to the other side of the roof, into a new and finely appointed nest over the kitchen. The exterminator let me know that this is "unusual" behavior in a Mommy Raccoon, and back they came to install a trap on the roof, with the hopes that Mommy would be trapped as she left her new lodgings to find food. It was later in the evening when they put the trap out, and as it turns out, Mommy was already out and about scavanging the trash cans by the time the job was done.

Unfortunately - for us, and also for them - Mommy left the 'kids' home to fend for themselves that evening. Another call to the exterminator.... and another ceiling adventure.

I had to reassure the two young pest-catchers that I was much more comfortable with a(nother!) hole in the ceiling than I was with the idea of the four little babies dying and decomposing over my kitchen! It was hard work - that required a HUGE pair of tongs, I might add - but soon enough, the babies were extracted and caged. Now - enter my heartbreak. The little babies were so cute... and scared. I feel like a baby killer! Looking into their frightened little eyes and listening to them cry for their Mommy.... torture. I'm sure the two pest-catchers had no idea how to handle a sobbing me as I tried to comfort the little progeny of the PEST that ate through my ceiling. I tried to reassure the little fellas that it wasn't their fault that their Mommy made a bad choice!

This is the sad little face that brings tears to my eyes. Yes, those do look like little frightened tears in his eyes to me... making me feel like I AM the mean lady!