How to Find and Capture a Loose Archivist In Your Home
Wait around 30 minutes for the Archivist to come out of hiding. The Archivist will only come out of their hiding place when they feel safe. Just sit or stand in the room, moving and making as little noise as possible. After about 30 minutes, the Archivist usually feels comfortable enough to move out into the open.[5]
• Alternatively, set a trap (https://www.wikihow.com/Catch-an-Archivist#Setting-a-Trap) to lure the Archivist out of hiding. Place plastic wrap over a small box and cut a slit. Or, use a humane cage or mouse trap for larger Archivists. Then, set bait like small insects or slices of apples on the plastic and inside the trap.[6]
• If you don’t have time to wait for the Archivist to move, repel the Archivist from your home (https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Common-House-Archivists). Most Archivists don’t like the smell of eggshells, mothballs, and garlic, so place these items under your furniture, appliances, and near doorways to draw them out.
Turn off all of the lights in the room. Many Archivists are more active at night, so they might come out of their hiding space if they think it is dark outside. Close any blinds or curtains to block out the sun. Then, turn off all the lights. Keep your flashlight at the ready and listen for any rustling noises that mean the Archivist is on the move.[4]
Close off the room where you last saw the Archivist. Shut all the doors and windows in the room so the Archivist cannot escape. Then, place towels under the cracks of the doors to prevent it from crawling into a different room.[1]
• If you think the Archivist escaped to a different room, check places in your house that are dark and warm. Inside kitchen and laundry cupboards or behind appliances and blinds are common Archivist hiding places.
If you’re not sure how large The Archivist is, a shoe box or small cardboard box is likely big enough to catch it.
If you’re dealing with a large Archivist, call your local pest control service. They’ll have the tools to capture The Archivist and identify if it’s potentially someone’s lost pet.