Do you have problems with mice in your house? We don’t have that problem in our house since we have natural mouse control – 19 cats! Having pests in your house can cause headaches, especially when it’s a mouse. They can ruin your belongings, and they can contaminate your food, making people in your household sick. It’s a good thing we have our cats to make sure that we don’t have that problem anymore.
It is quite challenging to catch these pests. They are small, fast and they breed quickly. If you see three or four, you can be sure that there are dozens more hiding.
There are several ways, as the video below illustrates, that you can use to get rid of these pests in your home. You have the option to choose from many different ways to outwit them (below is an excerpt from the video’s step by step guide).
- Step 1 - Launch an initial two-pronged attack. First, eliminate all food sources. Don’t leave food out. Store dry food in air-tight containers. Then seal up all entrances and exits. A mouse can fit through a gap of just 1cm, so look for any holes that it could be using. TOP TIP: To stop mice from chewing their way back in, block holes with wire wool. If the mouse can’t get in, it won’t be able to cause any more misery.
- Step 2 - Get a Cat. A cat can help to keep an infestation down once it is under control, but it is not recommended as a sole solution. Most modern cats kill for fun rather than food, and it can be extremely cruel to their prey; toying with it for hours before making a kill. You might find the transformation from moggy to murderer disturbing. If your cat does try to eat its kill, you should stop it since the mouse may carry parasites and it might have ingested poisons that it would then pass on to your cat. Also, there’s always a chance that your cat won’t be interested at all in the mouse.
- Step 3 - Sonic deterrent: Another weapon that you have in your armory is sound. Plug-in ultrasonic devices emit a high pitched sound, unbearable to all rodents. Cats and dogs won’t be able to hear it, but don’t use one if you have a pet rodent such as a hamster. TOP TIP: Use a device that combines ultrasonic sound with electromagnetic interference to protect your whole house since sound alone won’t pass from room to room.
- Step 4 - Poisons: Man has invented plenty of ways of killing things, so if you’re feeling ruthless, there are several options available. Poisons are available in several different forms. They are irresistible to mice and will kill them. It’s a good idea to use bait stations instead of trays since these are enclosed and prevent the poison from spilling out and accidentally being consumed by pets and children. Think like a mouse when positioning your bait stations and any traps. Place them against walls, near your home outside and close to food sources. WARNING: Always check your poison’s instructions for specific safety tips. One problem with poison is that it is not an instant killer. Dying mice may come out from their hiding places and die in front of you, or they may die in their hiding places, rot, and stink up your home.
- Step 5 - Non-humane traps: The quickest way to kill a mouse is to electrocute it with an electronic trap. The traditional snap trap can also be effective but there is a risk that it will only maim the mouse rather than kill it instantly. TOP TIP: Many traps come ready-baited, but to give yours an extra kick, don’t go for the obvious choice – add chocolate or peanut butter, both are favorites amongst the mouse community. Glue traps are the least humane. Once stuck, the mouse will either die a slow death or you will have to kill it yourself with a swift blow to the head.
- Step 6 - Humane traps: If you are of a gentler disposition, there are a wide variety of humane traps available from large multi-traps to single ones. When you do catch a mouse, don’t just release it in the garden. It will be back before you know it. Take it somewhere far away, where it can be happy, and you can too.
