I didn’t get stuck behind the fridge! It came out much easier than I expected, but still — no hole in the wall. But that explains a lot about the sounds I had been hearing.
These are my conclusions:
S/he evidently came in under the security door (a 1” gap) and made a home under the fridge, close to the motor. I don’t know how long ago but I’d say less than a week from the amount of droppings.
The louder noises I heard were the mouse navigating whatever it had to in order to get to and from its nest. I have no idea what the nest was made of, but it could very well be just plain ol’ lint. (There’s enough of it around, for sure!)
Placing the first trap under the microwave cart was a good idea, because when I found the mouse, it and the trap were over a foot from where I had placed the trap. If I had just used the one under the sink, it would have made a very loud noise and scared me awake! I didn’t hear this one trip because when it landed, it landed mouse-first. A “soft landing” if you will!
So that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I’m relieved that you have safely negotiated the fridge.
Another day of trying to thread the needle between between abuse (making the Offspring do something useful) and neglect (letting them do nothing). Sigh. When doesn’t the bus to the Crazy Ladies’ Home leave? I can be packed in ten minutes.