If you thought getting a cat was the most effective rodent control method, you have fallen for one of the most common myths regarding rodent control. In fact, not only will the rodents find many places to hide that your cat can’t reach, but they’ll also love the chance to steal the cat’s food, so you could end up with more rodents than you started with. Plus, not all cats are great mouse-catchers. Here are a few more common myths about rodent control.
- Myth #1: Cheese is the best bait for rodent control – The reality is that rodents prefer seeds and fruit over cheese, so you are better off using peanut butter. In addition, female rodents are on the search for nesting material, so cotton balls can prove effective.
- Myth #2: Rodents will go outside after consuming poison – If you use rat poison, there is just as much likelihood the rodents will perish inside your home as outside, leaving you with the health hazard and horrid odor of a decaying rodent to contend with. It is also untrue that rodents will go outside to get to water because the poison has made them thirsty. It doesn’t do that. Furthermore, don’t believe the marketing hype that the rodent won’t smell – it will, and badly!
- Myth #3: Rodents chew on stuff to be destructive and keep their teeth worn down and sharpened – The rodents in your home that are chewing on your belongings aren’t out to harm you. They are simply gathering nesting materials. They self-sharpen their teeth by grinding them together– not by chewing on your stuff.
- Myth #4: You’ll see mice if you have an infestation – The chances are you probably won’t because they are most active when they feel safe. This isn’t necessarily just at night. A better way to tell if you have a rodent problem is to watch for damage, droppings, and nests. Plus, if you do see one or two, it doesn’t mean you have an infestation, as rodents do not travel in packs.
If you suspect a rodent problem or want to be proactive to avoid a rodent problem at your home or business, give us a call at Pest & Termite Consultants. Rodents carry parasites, and the health hazards are more of a problem than the damage they can create. Don’t hesitate to contact us to resolve a rodent problem to keep your family or business safe. Your cat might fail, but we won’t!