Rodent Control - Rats and Mice
Rodents are the forgotten pest until they enter our homes and start chewing and scratching keeping us awake at night. They carry all sorts of diseases posing a serious health risk for example through food contamination. Rats may also pose a potential fire hazard if they chew through electrical cables and wires.
Rodents normally enter a dwelling in the cooler months looking for a suitable nesting spot and a food source. They are very clever mammals which can make controlling them with baits difficult at times. However, a number of simple strategies can be implemented in the home including:
- Removal of the food source preventing rodents from entering the dwelling in the first place
- Ensure all cereal, dried dog food, bird and chook food is stored in sturdy containers with good fitting lids
- Use a worm farm or sealed compost bin instead of open composts
- Use weep hole covers to prevent rodents entering through wall cavities
If you already have rats in the dwelling the following options may be considered:
TIMBER RAT TRAPS
The old timber type snap traps are the best but watch out for your fingers. Rodents won’t be able to resist a nice juicy pumpkin seed and a dab of peanut butter. Gage type traps are affective as well but this won’t kill the rodent and dropping the cage in bucket of water would be required to drown the rodent. Rodents don’t like cheese. (thanks for that myth micky mouse)
RAT BAITS
Baits can be affective but there is a chance they could die in a wall and the smell will last a few days. Please note these baits are very toxic to dogs and any other mammals such as possums etc. Due to rats being very cautious baiting can take a week or two and sometimes rats will become bait shy. If this occurs a different bait or trap may be required.
If none of the above has worked or you haven’t the time a professional pest control company may be required and the baits used by pest control companies are generally stronger and have better attractants than what the public can purchase. JM Pest Management places rodent baits in the ceiling on all general pest control jobs. Please note this is a preventive measure only and if there is a rodent infestation a thorough inspection, baiting system and trapping will be required.
2/01/2012 1:05:00 PM
Published by
John Rudling
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