Retired mailman discovers unexpected shed cleaner: a tidy mouse, caught on camera
Retired mailman Rodney Holbrook faced an intriguing puzzle. It began when he discovered food meant for birds in his old shoes in the shed.
2:33 AM EST, January 10, 2024
Items left on the workshop table started disappearing, only to be found later in various boxes. As this situation repeated, he investigated what happened in his workshop after dark. So, he set up cameras in the room. The footage he discovered was shocking.
Infrared cameras revealed the identity behind these nocturnal cleaning routines. Turns out, it was a tiny mouse. The footage showed the rodent moving items from the table, such as clothes pegs, screwdrivers, and bits of cable, and placing them into boxes.
The persistent little critter even managed to clamber into cardboard boxes taller than it was. Despite having trouble with longer items, the mouse was not discouraged.
"I couldn't believe it when I saw that the mouse was sorting various things into boxes. I don't even bother to tidy up anymore because I know she'll take care of it," Holbrook told CNN.
A helper like this is a real treasure, although having mice around isn't always pleasurable
The man is quite proud of his tiny assistant, asserting there probably isn't anything this exceptional rodent can't carry. Holbrook adds this is not his first encounter with a tidying mouse. Previously, he caught a mouse in 2019, using the same methods to tidy his friend's shed.
However, not everyone feels affectionate towards mice like our story's protagonist. This is likely because not all rodents are as helpful as this little housekeeper. Their presence in our sheds, garages, and, unfortunately, homes tends to increase during fall and winter. They seek shelter and access to food, which can become quite a nuisance for homeowners.
The mouse cleaned the man's workshop every night
Mice can cause more trouble than nibbling on food - they can damage wires and cables. They can also create annoying noises and contaminate our homes with feces, especially at night.
To prevent such unwelcome visits, it's advisable to take necessary measures to seal any openings through which rodents can access your home. Also, securing food stored in our pantries and cabinets is essential.
