Antivirus, antispam, and anti-spyware. The current trend of PC protection focuses on everything but the cat’s long-suffering enemy: the mouse! In this Technology feature, Catnabbit investigates the best ways to mouse-proof your computer.
1. Use a reputable, effective mouse trap. A mouse trap used in conjunction with your computer will prevent it from being attacked by mice and a number of other small rodents. Think of it as a spare set of claws to stop anyone from coming into your computer’s territory. There are a large variety of mouse traps, including the kind that can safely hold the mouse while it is still alive, allowing you to take care of its fate in a way that you see fit!
2. Use cheese carefully. With the advent of new nutritional technologies, cheese is becoming a more popular delicacy in several parts of the feline world. Remember that while you enjoy your cheese, there may be a mouse nearby that might enjoy it just as much! Experts agree that computer repair is quite expensive, therefore you shouldn’t risk leaving cheese out near your computer! A mouse could eat your cheese, or worse, get into your computer. Protect your leftovers by sealing them in an airtight container, far away from your workstation.
3. Use an alternate pointing device, such as a trackball or touch pad. You’ve heard the adage that there is never just “an” ant or “a” cockroach. Where there’s one, there’s more. The same goes for mice: Having a mouse on your computer is an open invitation for more mice to take up residence at your PC. If you are looking for some mice to hunt, this might be a great lure, but we recommend throwing the mouse on the mouse-trap instead of keeping it at your PC. If you’re using one of the so-called “humane mouse traps” then you can use a mouse’s lure more effectively. Keep the lures off your PC!
4. Install an elephant. As you may have heard, elephants are afraid of mice. Fortunately for the cat, this stereotype is completely untrue! Have you ever seen an elephant lose a fight to a mouse? Mice are afraid of elephants due partly to the large size of the beast. Also, endangered elephants pose a threat to a mouse: if an elephant is in danger from something, then certainly this “something” must be greater and even more menacing to a mouse. Therefore, an elephant makes an excellent mouse deterrant.
5. Use caution when opening suspicious packages. Just like you wouldn’t open an unwanted email, don’t open a box if you aren’t sure what the contents will be. If there is any chance that the box might contain a mouse, open it in a controlled environment (such as inside a larger box) so that you can immediately chase after it and deal with it appropriately! No cat can walk with pride if a mouse gets away. Don’t even give it a standing chance!