Whether you see them scurrying across your basement floor or have found their droppings in your pantry, nobody likes the moment when they realize they have a rodent problem. Dealing with mice can be an exercise in patience, creativity, and persistence. At their worst, they breed quickly, and can prove difficult to kill.
Fortunately, you don’t need to roll over and accept your fate — Critter Control of Tampa is no stranger to a mouse infestation that has gotten out of hand. We’ve put together a primer on how to prepare you to perform your own “critter control” at home, from mouse traps to mice poison, and beyond.
How to Optimize Your Home Rodent Control
Like handling any surplus of pests, there are a few different approaches you can take. Often, the most successful results come from employing two or more of the following methods at the same time.
Mice Repellent
If you have a rodent problem, utilizing a mouse repellent should always be one of the first things you do to get rid of them. With many natural options that are safe for use around humans and pets, you’ll be sure to find one that works best for your situation without harming the other inhabitants of your home.
If you haven’t already, the first step is to identify the areas where mice are active. This will help you determine where to place the repellent. Mice often run behind appliances, along shelves, under stairs, and in other dark, tight spaces to avoid detection while patrolling for food and water.
Next, you’ll want to select your mouse repellant. Typically, powders or oils with strong scents are enough to do the trick, with popular options including:
- Peppermints and peppermint oil
- Chili or cayenne pepper powders
- Cat litter with ammonia
- Mothballs
- Botanical repellents made up of essential oils and plants that are known to irritate mice
If you have a serious mouse problem, you may need to use multiple types of repellents in order to effectively deter them. And while these repellants work for a time, mice can build up a natural immunity to the smells over time. When this happens, it may be time to step up your firepower.
Mice Poison
Mouse poison is a rodenticide specifically designed to kill mice, and it’s typically available in both pellets and liquid form. Pellets are the most common type of mouse poison, with a base that usually consists of wheat or corn to make it enticing to rodents. Liquid mouse poison is less common, but it can be more effective and versatile than pellets in certain situations.
The two most common types of toxicants used in mouse poisons are warfarin and bromethalin. Warfarin is a blood-clotting agent that prevents the production of vitamin K in rodents, which leads to a slow deterioration in health until they eventually expire, while bromethalin is a highly potent rodenticide that works within 24 to 36 hours. While mouse poison can be highly effective, it can be extremely dangerous to leave around your home, especially if you have young children or pets who may mistakenly ingest it. Utilize mouse poison with caution, or call in a pest control company with trained experts who can handle it for you.
Mouse Traps
If you’re dealing with a mouse problem, mouse traps are a great way to get rid of them. But how do you know which kind of trap to use, and where’s the best place to put it?
Mouse traps come in different shapes and sizes, but the most common type is the snap trap. Snap traps work by luring the mouse into a trigger zone with some kind of food or other bait, which causes a metal bar to snap closed and eliminate the mouse. These traps are easy to set up and use, and can typically be easily avoided by pets and children. Other options include electronic traps, which operate by shocking the mouse when it enters and terminates the rodent instantly.
Since mice prefer to run along walls or covered areas where they are not in the open, traps should be strategically placed to capture them in these spots. If you have seen a rodent in a specific area, or have noticed gnaw marks, food remnants, droppings, or nesting materials that would indicate that these pests are residing nearby, these are usually the perfect places to place traps first.
The Cat: An Unusual Mouse Deterrent
An alternative solution to everything we’ve mentioned so far? A furry friend who can also help around the house. In addition to providing companionship, cats can also help deter mice.
Cats are natural predators of mice and can help keep them away from your home. Cats have a strong sense of smell and will often investigate any new scents in their environment. If they detect even the faintest odor of a mouse in your house, they’ll be sure to let you know!
Critter Control of Tampa—A Reliable Pest Control Solution
If you have taken our guidance to heart and given DIY pest control your best shot, we understand. Mice are not an easy problem to deal with, and you deserve to not be frustrated by them any longer than necessary. If you live in New Tampa and are over the fight, give Critter Control of Tampa a call.
Our professionals would be happy to take a look at your home and bring next level pest control to help resolve your problem. Don’t go one more day worried about the next time you might catch a mouse or rat wandering around in your garage or cupboards — reach out to us for a quick quote and let’s get started!
