How to Get Rid of Rodents?

No one likes to have mice, rats or any other small rodent pests invading the house, scaring the children and causing potential health problems. People have tried all sorts of poisons and chemicals to kill mice and rats in the past and many of these traditional methods have been successful. These strong, commercial poisons can still be used, of course, but there are a number of other ways to get rid of rats and mice.

Mechanical, spring-loaded traps have been used about as long as poisons. Most people are familiar with the strong spring and wooden base of the classic mousetrap. A new version of this old idea is made of plastic and is much easier (and safer) to set. You will still have to bait the trap with cheese or some other morsel but you won’t have to worry about snapping a finger in the trap.

What Else is There?
There are several other methods for trapping mice and smaller rats, such as the sticky board. This has a surface of glue-like substance that is so sticky small rodents cannot get loose. Someone has to remove the carcasses from these, however. Another type of trap is designed to let the rodent go in but will not allow the animal to get out. These have to be cleaned out too. In recent years, some companies have come up with items that are baited with a milder form of poison that attracts mice.

As we try to answer the question, “What else can I do?” we should give some serious thought to prevention. There are several effective steps for keeping mice and rats from coming into the home in the first place. These include making a habit of looking for signs of rodents, such as droppings and food crumbs, as well as keeping food items well-packaged so rodents aren’t attracted. This means metal containers for food in cabinets and secure lids on trash containers.

Outside, Inside
Mice, rats and other small rodents love cluttered outbuildings, wood piles, abandoned cars, piles of garden material etc. If you keep your property organized, clean and neat you will go a long way toward keeping rodents from taking up residence near your home.

In addition, you should pay particular attention to openings that might allow mice and rats to get into the home from the outside. These entry places include holes in the foundation around pipes and vents, loose-fitting windows and doors, cracked foundations that allow rodents into the basement and so on. When the weather gets cold outside rodents will try to find their way into the warmer basement. From there they will hunt for food and other places to live in the main areas of the home.

If it becomes necessary to use a poison rather than a trap of some kind, you should probably seek out bait that is made with a specific vitamin, D3. Research shows that mice and rats that eat even a small amount of this will die of heart failure in a matter of days. Older types of poison were a threat to household pets but this method eliminates much of that risk.

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