Rodents

Rodent control can be tricky, as they are more intelligent than other pests. But there are a few techiniques that can outsmart them. The main methods of control that are used for rodents are poisoned baits and traps. Bait can be in a block or pellet form, which is put into a bait station to protect it. Or liquid baits are particularly effective with rats. Rats need moisture from other sources besides their food. If no other source of liquid is around, liquid baits can be more attractive than bait blocks.

Traps can be glue boards, snap traps, or live traps. Glue boards have a very sticky glue on them, which traps rodents who touch them. Snap traps are sized for rats or mice. They have a strong spring with a sentive trigger, killing the rodent and holding it in place. Live traps allow the rat to enter, and trap it without killing it. These need to be checked and emptied often to avoid rodents dying inside them, which causes other rats to avoid them. Each method of baiting and trapping is useful and effective, with it’s own particular advantages and disadvantages. Most baits are anticoagulants, causing death days later from internal bleeding. Baiting causes the mouse or rat to die elsewhere, whereas traps can create a messy scene. But sometimes baiting causes the rodent to die in an inaccessable area where they create odors as they decay. Live traps need plenty of bait in them, or else the rodents inside will die.

Generally, mice tend to be curious and will be caught in a trap sooner than rats. Rats are more cautious and can develop a shyness to baits or traps. Snap traps or glue boards should be used liberally in the beginning, because rats may develop a shyness to them after some members are killed. The effectiveness of traps can taper off after awhile because of this. A trick that is sometimes necessary is to place unset, unbaited traps out prior to setting them. This will get them used to the new item in their habitat. Also, different baits may need to be tried if they aren’t feeding on the baits that are placed out.

Things you can do to help:

If live mice or rats, droppings, or gnawing marks are found in your house, you probably have a rodent infestation. Sometimes sounds are heard before signs are seen. Sounds like scratching, gnawing, squeaking, and fighting can be heard at night. Control for mice and rats are similar in many ways. However mice usually live closer to their food source, in a smaller total area than rats – meaning baits and traps will have to be more accurately placed around the infestation.

Mice can get in through holes as small as a pencil, and rats can get in through holes as small as 1/2″ in diameter. Keeping holes of this size sealed up will help to keep your home from being infested. The gap under doors is a common entry point for mice, and should be inspected. If the gap is as big as a pencil a doorsweep should be added or replaced. But exclusion methods alone won’t stop an existing infestation. Mice and particularly rats will find new ways to get to their food source or nest if entry holes are sealed. If they can’t find a way in, they will will chew through almost anything. Mofifying your home to exlude rodents should be done before you have a problem, or after the problem is eliminated. Pet food and birdseed left outside is particularly attractive to rodents, and shouldn’t be kept where they can get to it. However, if they do get to it, it should be left in place until the rodents are eliminated. This way their behavior patterns can be predicted, aiding in placing traps, etc.

Urine and feces show up under a blacklight. In a dark room, shining a blacklight around suspected areas can reveal glowing urine and feces stains. Any time you clean up dead rodents, droppings, or infested materials, caution should be taken. Gloves and respirators should be worn to prevent the spread of disease to humans, particularly hantavirus.

Outisde there are some things you can do to discourage rodents. Making sure to use garbage cans with tight fitting lids it important. Fruits, vegetables, and nuts growing outside should be picked when ripe – not left on the ground. Sources of water that rats may be able to drink should be eliminated. Piles of rubbish around the yard can serve as a nesting place for rodents, and should be cleaned up. If baits are used, dead rodents will be found days later. Make sure to clean up the dead rodents before your pets get ahold of them. Amounts of poison are probably not high enough to make your pet sick, but it’s good not to take chances.