Mice are hazardous, bothersome creatures that should be evicted from the home as soon as possible. You could hire a professional to handle a mouse problem, but store-bought traps are a cheaper alternative. Mouse traps work, but their effectiveness at eliminating an entire colony of mice depends on how you use them. It also depends on the severity of the situation and the state of your home. For mouse control that you can count on, contact Mouse Control Kitchener today.
There are a variety of different mouse traps available on the market, each more or less effective than the other. Traditional snap traps, for instance, are probably the most popular. When a mouse steps on a snap trap’s platform, a metal bar snaps down on its neck and the animal dies instantly. Electronic traps work even better. Instead of using mechanical means, these traps give mice an electrical shock that kills them instantly. You may also come across multi-catch traps which trap up to 30 mice without harming them. These traps are the most humane; they simply trap mice so you can bring them outside. Finally, glue traps are sometimes available, too, but these traps are inhumane and frowned upon by the pest control community. Instead of killing mice instantly or trapping them without harm, they trap mice and other small animals onto their sticky surfaces where they end up starving to death.
The problem with using traps is that they must be used in large amounts and in the right places. As mice breed very quickly, it takes continuous treatment to interrupt a colony’s reproductive cycle. Mice also tend to take the same routes every day, so it’s important that you place your traps where the mice will go. The traps should then be checked and rebaited frequently. Eliminating only some of the mice will only provide the rest of the colony with more food and territory; you must get all of them for the problem to stop.
Mouse-proofing the home is also key when eliminating a mouse infestation. There is a reason why there are mice in the home, and that problem should be solved to avoid any future infestations. Inspect your home for any gaps or cracks that mice could be using to get inside and seal them immediately. Consider blocking off your vents with steel mesh and putting weatherstripping to the bottom edges of your doors. Keep the home clean and tidy. Reduce as much clutter as you can in and around the house, and store food in tightly sealed containers. Mouse-proofing in this way will not only prevent future infestations, but it will encourage the mice inside to consume the baits you placed.
So, mouse traps work, but they must be used properly to truly be effective. If you’re dealing with a mouse infestation right now, consider getting the help of a local pest removal company. A mouse control technician will be able to identify where the mice are coming from and eliminate them with commercial-grade baits and traps that work better than those available in stores. Professionals such as those at Mouse Control Kitchener know mouse control in and out. Pest Control Kitchener would be happy to help – just give us a call.