Even if you keep your home fairly clean, it doesn’t take much for a mouse or rat to find it’s way into your living space. Even the smallest amount of warmth or food (think those crumbs behind your toaster) can be enough to entire the furry little creature into your home. Poisons, although they may seem appealing, are bad for the environment and could pose a health risk to children and pets in your home. Here are some tips to help eliminate these pesky creatures from your home; without the use of dangerous poisons.
Snap Traps
Snap traps are the most common mouse trap available on the market. These traps are spring-loaded. Some kind of bait, such as peanut butter, is placed on the pedal of the trap. The trap is then set, and as soon as the mouse attempts to get to the peanut butter and touches the pedal, the spring is released and the trap snaps onto the mouse, usually killing it quickly. Sometimes, however, the mouse will die slowly if the snap doesn’t go down on his back, but rather one of his legs. This can be very disturbing to see and not for the squeamish.
Glue Traps
Glue traps can be very helpful in trapping mice. A large pad of sticky glue is set in an area where mouse activity is known. When the mice attempt to scurry across the pad, they become stuck to the pad, unable to free themselves. The pad is then thrown away. You may have to deal with live mice using this method.
Live Traps
There are live traps available on the market. These traps consist of a rectangular tube. This tube has a door on one end that only opens in one direction. Bait is placed on the inside of the trap, and when the mouse enters, he cannot leave the trap. The trap can then be taken elsewhere and mouse can be released. These traps, however, can be very inefficient if the mouse problem is large. Between taking the mice far enough away that they won’t recall how to get into your house, and continually resetting these live traps, they can become quite time consuming.
Electricity Traps
There are mouse traps available that utilize electricity. These traps are often shaped like a dome or box. The mouse enters the container, and is jolted with a lethal amount of electricity and dies. These traps can be more expensive, but are very effective in controlling mice.
Cats
Never underestimate the power of a cat in controlling mouse infestation! Cats are naturally curious and love to play with mice, even if they don’t eat them, before killing them. If your mouse problem is recurrent, you may consider getting a cat. When choosing a cat though, make sure you choose an active one that is likely to be very enticed by chasing a mouse!
References
How to Get Rid of Mice
How to Get Rid of Rodents
Get Rid of Mice
How to Get Rid of Mice
