Went all day without any sign it was still here. Thought just maybe as I was creating a ruckus tearing holes innthe ceiling it had jumped down and ran out the propped open door. Then about 5:30pm hit and heard something, cat confirmed it, then it started screaming. Starvation/hydration likepy setting in. Went down and started trying to pinpoint its location but could not figure out which joists it was between before it got above the basement bathroom's ceiling. Then it either hunkered down or found a cavity as it stopped reacting to my movements. At that point I put up a bearier to the finished side of the basement(who knew a 77" TV box from 6 years ago would become a tool), turned on the bathroom light(hoping it will use it to find the opening) and opened bathroom door and laundry room door. Propped open outside side door and now I'll spend the next few hours staring at the security cam on that side if house hoping it realizes it has an escape route and making sure nothing else makes an attempt to enter. I'm doubting it, and after tonight I have to return to work and it will be on its 6th day without food and not sure on the water. Then it becomes a matter of waiting for the decompisition to start staining the ceiling so I can get it oit of there. What a freaking nightmare at the start of Spring and insect reemergence. Can just imagine what is taking advantage of the open door.
On a side note, I do not wish this situation on anyone. It is a horrible experience, and hindsight being 20/20, one that should be left to the professionals if you have never went through it before. Repairs and clean up alone probably would have paid for it with less in repairs afterward. I did go out and shut the storm door enough that it is closed, but not latched. Debating on leaving it as is overnight, such a tough choice and goes against personal security/safety habits.
Trap is set, but no bait. Thinking the one I caught was the dominant/leader and the one I have now is the follower. From everything I have seen on watching cam it has not come out of the ceiling since catching the first one Saturday night. It will look down but not climb down. Think it fell Sunday night walking on top of insulation and no support beneath at the sump pump room. I've since blocked off the sump access and put 30lbs of weight on the toilet lid and tank cover. I'd pretty much have to gut the basement at this point and hope there are no access points to higher levels in the walls or duct runs. After its screaming tonight, I'm worried what happens when I'm not able to be here while at work.
So trap reset with 2 cans of sardines, even bought a pack of marshmallows and put 1 on the floor and one just inside the cage. Not going to give it free food at ceiling level. Removed cam as the infrared lights may have it one edge as well. Did leave the trap in the bathroom and shut all doors hoping scent pooling works in this equation. As I was setting it back up I could hear it walking around close to where the eyes were seen firat night with the cam, so it has open access to the bathroom and not trapped above it. It has to be starving and a reason why it was screaming out earlier, another reason I didn't want to leave entry door unlatched and have more come in responding to it.
I think at this point I need scent over anything, other than a professional, it has to be nearing starvation, I hope. Google is hit an miss stating 4 -5 days up to 2 weeks for starvation. Calling animal control in the morning if it is not in the trap, can't do it anymore. It has defeated me at that point, just chitting and pizzing in my house at this point along with any wiring hazards it could create.
One thing I did do was buy some custom cut plexi glass for all of the basemement windows. I'll sand down the edges as needed and adhere them to the outside of the existing windows as an added protective bearier until I can figure out how to get them replaced or covered over properly. In thinking on it, my neighbor had a lawn care business come and mow his lawn and do the mulching around trees and flower beds. I think they may have went from front yard to back yard with blades on(standing ride on mower), or coming back and through rocks/debris through the windows. Can't be a coincidence this all happened so close in time. Yet, I have no proof so point is moot.
I was going to ask if rocks from a mower could have done that but 2 different corner blocks on the same window were busted. Seems like maybe 1 hit is justified but 2?
No clue, can't even speculate. As was pointed out earlier, could have been freeze/thaw and expansion/contraction cycles. I can say a lot of them were cracked 14 years ago when I bought it, but no idea how many or which ones in particular. Knew they were hollow, so wasn't an immediate concern for the interior layer.
Contemplating a plan. Think I need to bust out another window(pane not the blocks) let it get out and then block it off once it is out. Where it was Saturday night is a window. Thinking it was seeing an exit but couldn't get out, pretty sure it was just back at that same window and trying to get out. Going by sound, cannot tell with security cam that shows the window. Red box is approx. window location
Actually, going to stay the course. Just went out and looked at it, perspective is off a bit from the cam view. It was back about 2 feet from the window. Don't need to compound the situation on an impulse reaction. If I can't catch it on food, need to call someone who can catch it with experiencs.
Seeing no food nor water perhaps , just a thought, placing water not food in the trap may have attracted it.
So it finally came down last night, in the laundry room, not the bathroom where the trap was. Moved trap to laundry room, anyone want to guess where it will come down to tonight? I have to go to work tomorrow whether I catch it or not, have taken an additional 3 days off to the end of my vacation. One that was approved, have to see how they handle the other 2. I just couldn't imagine sitting at work and the effing thing breaches the main floor and ransacks the kitchen all the while terrorizing the cat. It's moving around already, when I can't hear it the cat lets me know. Let this be the night, please.....
All I can say is hindsight. I should have had it when I went "Bear Jew" entrance on it. Banging on the steel support poles for the maun floor beam, tapping on the ceiling where it was. It had two places to go west towards the center of house where it would have more places to go, or east toward the sump closet where it had one, down. Once I knew which joists it was between could have blocked off the center of house end and moved it towards the sump, or if it stayed in between chop it down until it drops and hope it hits the stairs and not charge. Hindsight
We have shot spotter here, not sure how it works if shots are indoors and below grade, but the thought crossed my mind several times, and then a few more.
