Mice are not very frightening when you see them in a controlled atmosphere but you don’t want them in your home. Not only can their unexpected scampering cause a scare, they also carry bacterial and viral diseases. They can chew furniture, blankets, bags and other personal items, leaving excrement all along the way. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep them from hanging out in your home, preventing a rodent infestation.

Bait Options
Whether using a spring trip, live trap or poison, you will need to employ something to bait the rodent. There are several food items that will work for this purpose. Here are a few of the most suggestions:

  • Vanilla flavoring
  • Crunchy peanut butter
  • Fried bacon
  • Fruit
  • Chewy candy

Spring Traps
This is probably the most well-known form of mousetrap. The springs are now easier to set than ever before. These are most effective when you place them in the paths most frequently traveled by the mice. Generally, they remain close to walls and as hidden as possible. Place the traps in the suspected paths with the trigger side against the wall. It is often a good idea to place two traps very close together.

Live traps
These are available at many home supply stores today and are a more humane way of handling mouse eviction. The principle is generally very simple. You place the bait at the end of a small platform that the mouse walks across to get the treat. Once the platform tilts under the weight of the creature, a door springs closed, locking the mouse inside. Following capture, you then relocate the mouse.

Poison
This is not a humane approach to pest control but it can be effective. A major flaw in the method, however, is that the mice will often hide away before dying from the poison, making it difficult to reach them. It can also harm other animals that feed on rodents. The poisons can be a danger to children and pets, too.

Clean Up
Please realize that rodents can carry disease. For this reason, the method of cleanup when dealing with dead mice is very important. If you just dump the creature’s remains in the yard, it can attract other problems and create a need for outdoor pest control. Wear rubber gloves and spray a mixture of bleach and water over the remains, feces and any affected surfaces. Then place the remains in a sealed bag and throw them in the trash.

Remember, Slug-A-Bug is always available to help you deal with a rodent problem. Don’t hesitate to call.