Mice? Roof rats?

[Guest guest]

Hi Colleen,

 

Removing MICE or RATS from a building poses a challenge, but there is

no reason to use inhumane methods. Glue traps are extremely inhumane.

Are you sure that the rodents are MICE? ROOF RATS also enter our

homes and buildings if there are openings. There is a successful,

humane method to remove ROOF RATS from a dwelling/building which I

highly recommend, and I will gladly send step by step instructions to

you or others.

 

If the rodents are MICE, the book " Living With Wildlife " by the

California Center for Wildlife advises to:

 

1. Plug even tiny holes in walls and around pipes with steel wool or

small mesh hardware cloth.

2. Remove weeds and low vegetation planted next to building and

maintain good sanitation in and around the building. Dispose of all

debris.

3. Store all food in solid, secure containers, not bags.

4. Install tray below bird feeders to catch spillage and empty often.

[better yet do not feed wild birds. Spilled seed attracts rodents.]

5. Trapping and releasing is fine as long as you first seal the

building. If openings remain, more mice/rats will move in from

adjoining areas to take the place of those that have been relocated.

[Actually, it is questionable whether it is humane to release them in

unfamiliar territory where they don't have hiding places and where

other rodents are already established. It may be best to release them

into the immediate outdoors (where they originally came from), and if

the building is truly sealed, they cannot re-enter that building.]

 

For both MICE and RATS it is absolutely essential to seal the building.

That needs to be done first, and then humane live trapping must begin

IMMEDIATELY. There are so many rodents all around us that killing or

removing some just makes space for others to move into. Once the

rodents are released outside, a natural balance will evolve.

 

If the rodents are MICE, there is also a product called " Fresh Cab " .

It is made in N. Dakota, and the manufacturer of these ground-corn cob

scent pouches claims that during the winter the pouches are placed in

N. Dakota tractors to discourage mice from making nests in the

tractors. They are said to work with MICE and SQUIRRELS, especially if

they can be installed in a contained area such as a store room or RV.

If they are installed in a large area or outdoors the scent dissipates

faster. Order them online from Earth-Kind, Inc., 1-800-583-2921,

www.earth-kind.com. These scent pouches smell pleasant to humans and

are said to be earth-friendly and non toxic.

 

Bob Tanem of the KGO garden show says to use " Bobcat Predator Scent " to

chase away rodents. I do not know if it works. Anyone considering it

may wish to read how and where it is collected at www.predatorpee.com

before making a decision.

 

Hope this information will help.

 

Kay