Locker neighhbor won't get rid of her cookies...

[kwpn_01]

Hey everyone, I have a bit of a unique situation, or maybe not so unique, at least I’m hoping. Here we go:

We have a leaser at our barn, who is known for her attitude and immature way of dealing with conflict. She’s essentially impossible to deal with and I do my absolute best to avoid her at all costs (the barn is my happy place, not the place of confrontation). In all honesty, she makes me want to throw away any sense of professionalism I have and throw a tantrum right in her face.

Following this, I have also been granted the privilege of being locker neighbors with her (yay!), and so that has been going rather smoothly. Until this winter.

Because our locker rooms are heated, and it’s the dead of winter (ranging from -15 and -30 CELSIUS), it is a very welcoming, cozy home for our barn mice. Along with this, boarders have been keeping treats in their lockers which provides a sustainable source of feed for said mice. I’m not sure if anyone else finds barn mice a problem, or disgusting, but I am appalled by them and their “treats” they tend to leave behind.

I wouldn’t consider myself a clean freak, but man, the scurrying, pooping and just mess they leave behind is appalling. To remedy this, I kindly asked my locker mates / fellow boarders to transfer their treats, if they had them, into a Tupperware container or feed room where the mice could not access them. This has been all but successful, minus one, lovely neighbor.

It started off with a friendly text message, kindly asking her to remove her treats or put them in another container that the mice could not access. I got a boat load of excuses back, she didn’t have a car to pick-up a container, she didn’t want to put the treats in the feed room because she was worried other people would use them, she didn’t think the mice were a problem (they are a very, VERY noticeable problem), or didn’t think that removing the treats would help the mice issue.

I reassured her IN PERSON that it would, in fact help the mice issue, and that she was the last locker left with accessible treats. I have been cleaning out the locker room 2 x per week clearing out all of the feces, and nibbled up treats left by the pests. She had less excuses prepared for me to my face, and told me that she would ask her mom to grab her a Tupperware container for her treats. I said okay, and that was that.

It has now been two weeks, no Tupperware, still a bag of treats with mouse holes in her locker, STILL a poop problem and everyone, including myself, is both disgusted and annoyed. One of the other boarders has tried to follow-up with her, but no action has been taken. The barn owners here treat her like she is one of their own (she had a rough up-bringing), so complaining to them won’t do justice. I’m ready to purchase her a Tupperware container and leave it in her locker for her. Is this too bold, or? Does anyone else have an opinion regarding this? Thanks in advance.

[anon40672407]

Do you want to solve the problem, or defeat the locker mate? Be bold.

[Chief2]

Take it up with the management. Regardless of your feelings about mice and their poop, it is not your place to be trying to force her into doing things the way you want her to. That is management’s job, and they should be up to the task. To write them off abut doing it before even trying that road is not fair to them. Perhaps it is time to add a new rule to the barn rules about storing cookies. Once you approach that route and it becomes clear it was a failure, then by all means purchase her a container to keep them in, if you wish.

[FaithView]

I would buy her the container and just send her a text and say something like “Hey, I know you don’t have a car, I had an extra container at home that I’m not using!” She sounds young and her mom may not have wanted to take her to buy one. Im assuming this is a decent sized bag of horse treats? I tend to buy large bags and pour them into bins.

This might come off as more just being thoughtful rather than bold and it might also help point out again that it’s a healthy habit for her to follow. Unless she is being straight out disrespectful about it, then this might be the best route.

[kwpn_01]

@Chief2

Take it up with the management. Regardless of your feelings about mice and their poop, it is not your place to be trying to force her into doing things the way you want her to. That is management’s job, and they should be up to the task. To write them off abut doing it before even trying that road is not fair to them. Perhaps it is time to add a new rule to the barn rules about storing cookies. Once you approach that route and it becomes clear it was a failure, then by all means purchase her a container to keep them in, if you wish.

Unfortunately, she is part of “management”. She’s young, but she’s been working at the barn to pay for her lease for quite some time, longer than a lot of the other handlers/staff. We DO have a barn manager that I’m sure would be happy to confront the issue, but I figure she has bigger problems to solve and don’t want to pester her about a bag of treats, especially when she’ll likely just get the same excuses as I did.

[mmeqcenter]

@Chief2

Take it up with the management. Regardless of your feelings about mice and their poop, it is not your place to be trying to force her into doing things the way you want her to.

This

[mmeqcenter]

@kwpn_01

Unfortunately, she is part of “management”. She’s young, but she’s been working at the barn to pay for her lease for quite some time, longer than a lot of the other handlers/staff. We DO have a barn manager that I’m sure would be happy to confront the issue, but I figure she has bigger problems to solve and don’t want to pester her about a bag of treats, especially when she’ll likely just get the same excuses as I did.

Staff members are not automatically part of “Management.” They’re staff. The Manager is Management.

Bring it up to the Barn Manager. If the BM doesn’t think mouse poop everywhere is a “bigger problem to solve,” I’d be leaving said barn. It really isn’t hard to keep foodstuffs in closed containers, and having mouse poop on all your stuff is gross.

[Scribbler]

@Chief2

Take it up with the management. Regardless of your feelings about mice and their poop, it is not your place to be trying to force her into doing things the way you want her to. That is management’s job, and they should be up to the task. To write them off abut doing it before even trying that road is not fair to them. Perhaps it is time to add a new rule to the barn rules about storing cookies. Once you approach that route and it becomes clear it was a failure, then by all means purchase her a container to keep them in, if you wish.

Pest control is not the duty of a paying boarder

Pest control is the job of the management. You need to bring it to their attention. A rodent infestation of this size is about way more than one girl with treats. The barn needs to figure out trails, poisons, snakes, dogs, whatever.

Rodents are around barns but when they periodically get out of control management needs to respond.

Alert them to the mouse problem and express your disgust and horror. Don’t mention the girl specifically or your own boss mare work rounding up the other boarders unless you are questioned further (it makes you look a bit officious and over invested in the issue). I mean if they ask if people keep treats you can say as far as you know everyone has put them in Tupperware except for your locker partner.

You do realize a mouse or rat can chew through Tupperware?

Stress how grossed out you are by the mice.

A few fun facts.

If a mouse finds food anywhere he pees all over the place and for the next six months at least he and his extended family will return to check it out every night and poop everywhere. You need to not only put all food away but also scrub the scent trails with a strong soap and block access. Otherwise they will keep on coming until your barn changes extermination companies :).

So yes your friend needs to put her treats in a jar. But the management needs to also take this seriously. Stop being the free cleaning lady and let the poop pile up for a week so you can show them. Bonus points if any of your tack gets nibbled. Mice can be very destructive when they chew things up to nest.

[kwpn_01]

@mmeqcenter

Staff members are not automatically part of “Management.” They’re staff. The Manager is Management.

Bring it up to the Barn Manager. If the BM doesn’t think mouse poop everywhere is a “bigger problem to solve,” I’d be leaving said barn. It really isn’t hard to keep foodstuffs in closed containers, and having mouse poop on all your stuff is gross.

Perhaps it’s worth a go! You are right in that sense. Not only that, but many of us have $7,000+ saddles we keep in our lockers, and the last thing I need is my most expensive piece of tack being chewed up. I also use my locker in the summer time during long days/horse shows to keep water/snacks, so mouse poop really puts a damper on wanting to put really anything in there.

[2DogsFarm]

@kwpn_01 Here’s the Bad News:
Your Tupperware solution is not going to stop mice.
Get a metal container - dollar store tin with a tight fitting lid - or mice will chew right through the plastic.
At $1 apiece, be a Big Spender & treat all your locker room pals to a mouseproof tin.

Ask the mice in my barn & garage how I learned this :rolleyes:
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[TMares]

Right, wrong, or indifferent, were it me I would just get 2 metal containers (one for each of you) and put them in the locker and dump her treats in hers. Label them hiwever makes sense (her initials vs. yours). Spray and clean the locker really well to try to eliminate the mouse pee trails

Just do it.

[Moon_River]

You’re seriously overstepping the mark telling other boarders how to behave and what they can and can’t do. Address the mouse issue with management, stay or leave depending in the outcome.

[crosscreeksh]

@2DogsFarm

@kwpn_01 Here’s the Bad News:
Your Tupperware solution is not going to stop mice.
Get a metal container - dollar store tin with a tight fitting lid - or mice will chew right through the plastic.
At $1 apiece, be a Big Spender & treat all your locker room pals to a mouseproof tin.

Ask the mice in my barn & garage how I learned this :rolleyes:
”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

THIS!!
And buy some "DeCon to place in the lockers!! Out of the reach of barn dogs and cats!

[Always_WIP]

@Moon River

You’re seriously overstepping the mark telling other boarders how to behave and what they can and can’t do. Address the mouse issue with management, stay or leave depending in the outcome.

I agree. Unfortunately, although you have a good cause you do not have authority as a boarder to tell others what to do. As a boarder, you can go “hey everyone who uses tack room X, I’ve noticed the mice are getting into my things. I started using Y containers instead and they’ve made a big difference. If you have this issue as well I really recommend those containers, I think it will make a big difference in the protection of all our tack!” But whether they take your advice is completely optional.

If mice are an issue, the rule regarding containers has to come from management. Also, mice can eat through pretty much all plastics, so I would recommend metal.

[Scribbler]

@Moon River

You’re seriously overstepping the mark telling other boarders how to behave and what they can and can’t do. Address the mouse issue with management, stay or leave depending in the outcome.

Yes. It’s one thing to make suggestions. But you are too invested now in making people obey you when you have no authority.

It is also possible your locker mate finds you really pushy and annoying on many levels and is just using some passive aggressive resistance. You might want to see if you can move to another locker.

[Pussy_Cat]

Honestly, you sound like the barn busybody. That’s great you are trying to find a solution to the mice but seriously? Complaining about a kid without a car not being able to get her mom to get Tupperware in a timely fashion makes you sound like a bully. If it matters so much to you,bring a container for her. As someone else noted, the mice will chew through it anyway. I like the idea of cheap metal tins. Surely if you have a $7k saddle you can afford to buy an extra one.

Young people can’t seem to catch a break on this board. They are either entitled slackers or if they work hard to try to pay their way then the management plays favorites with them. Sheesh.

[kwpn_01]

@Scribbler

Yes. It’s one thing to make suggestions. But you are too invested now in making people obey you when you have no authority.

It is also possible your locker mate finds you really pushy and annoying on many levels and is just using some passive aggressive resistance. You might want to see if you can move to another locker.

Let me reiterate, I kindly asked my fellow boarders/locker room mates if they could invest in a container or move their treats. Whether they listened of course was beyond my control, but luckily most of us are friends and respect each other enough to consider each others wishes. I appreciate this advice, but I don’t think asking to mitigate a problem that affects all of us is over-stepping. I could see how there’s a fine line though, and how others might interpret this aggressively.

I would be surprised if this locker mate found me pushy, as there was only ever one text, and one conversation had to bring forward the issue. I could see this being pushy if I had made multiple attempts or cornered her.

[Nezzy]

I do not understand why you have to share a locker with this nutball. Ask for a different lockermate, or your own locker. I would be royaly pissed if my tack got chewed up bc princess needs her cookies loose. We had a rat issue in our barn a few years ago, bc some people kept their Tractor suply cookies in those think plastic containers. Rats chewed thru them, and made a mess everywhere. Solution was to only keep treats in metal containers in the tack room. It worked. We have not seen them in a long time.

[Nezzy]

@Pussy Cat

Honestly, you sound like the barn busybody. That’s great you are trying to find a solution to the mice but seriously? Complaining about a kid without a car not being able to get her mom to get Tupperware in a timely fashion makes you sound like a bully. If it matters so much to you,bring a container for her. As someone else noted, the mice will chew through it anyway. I like the idea of cheap metal tins. Surely if you have a $7k saddle you can afford to buy an extra one.

Young people can’t seem to catch a break on this board. They are either entitled slackers or if they work hard to try to pay their way then the management plays favorites with them. Sheesh.

Not everyone who has an expensive saddle can afford another one. We work hard for our stuff, and having someone else put my tack at risk would infuriate me. The problem is the barn forcing these people to share a locker. no one should have to share a locker. it makes the situation very stressful.

[kwpn_01]

@Pussy Cat

Honestly, you sound like the barn busybody. That’s great you are trying to find a solution to the mice but seriously? Complaining about a kid without a car not being able to get her mom to get Tupperware in a timely fashion makes you sound like a bully. If it matters so much to you,bring a container for her. As someone else noted, the mice will chew through it anyway. I like the idea of cheap metal tins. Surely if you have a $7k saddle you can afford to buy an extra one.

Young people can’t seem to catch a break on this board. They are either entitled slackers or if they work hard to try to pay their way then the management plays favorites with them. Sheesh.

As per previous posts on this thread, I’m leaning towards picking up a metal tin for her as a favor. It seems like the easiest and least confrontational thing to do. The purpose of this post was to gain advice on whether this was too bold or a nice gesture, not to bully anonymous.