Rats and mice have been a common pest to homes and businesses for centuries, and the rodent trap is the most common method of deal...
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There are four main types of rodent traps; snap traps, multicatch traps, single catch live traps, and glue board traps.
Snap traps include the classic rodent traps with the wood base and the newer metal clothespin traps. They are designed to kill the trapped animal quickly and humanely. Snap traps should not be set were children or pets will come in contact with them.
There are three different types of triggers; wood / prebaited, metal for holding bait, and expanded trigger, which is used in runways. The expanded trigger is the most versatile type since it can also be baited. Older snap traps with other types of triggers can be modified to produce an expanded trigger.
Traps should be placed where rodents are likely to be. Rodents are creatures of habit and prefer to follow the same runways they usually use. It is important to identify these runways and place traps there. Runways can be identified by sprinkling a fine layer of flour or baby powder in suspected areas and looking for tracks. This is a safe diagnostic method for determining rodent activity.
Rodents often run along edges and traps should be set along walls, especially where objects such as a box or appliance will guide them into the trap.
The type of bait used depends on the species of rodent pest. Black rats prefer to travel above the ground and are easier to trap along these precarious pathways than on the ground.
Multicatch traps are designed to repeatedly catch a rodent and reset themselves for another capture. Advantages of these traps are the ability to capture several rats or mice with one setting and the scent from the captured mice entices others to the trap. The disadvantages are that the captured mice or rats are alive and must be dealt with, and these traps are expensive.
Methods for dealing with the captive rodents includes submerging the entire trap in a bucket of water and drowning them, using drowning attachments available for some traps, placing glue boards in the holding compartment of the trap, or finding someone with a pet snake that eats mice or rats.
The release of commensal rodents outside is not a solution, since they will quickly find a way back into your home or someone else's. Trap-wise rodents are also more difficult to trap than naive ones.
Multicatch traps must be checked on a regular basis like any other trap to prevent the capture rodents from starving or dying of thirst and creating an odour problem.
Single catch live traps are rodent sized cage traps of various styles. These traps capture the rat or mouse alive and unharmed, but again you have to deal with the captured rodent. Commensal rodents should not be released because they will return to your home or someone else's.
Rodents caught in these traps are best dispatched by submerging the entire trap in a bucket of water. These traps should be placed against walls or in runways.
The most effective bait for mice with this type of trap is rolled oats (uncooked oatmeal) sprinkled inside the trap with a fine trail leading out.
Glue boards are used just like snap traps. While both rat and mouse sized glue boards are made, these traps are most effective against mice as rats are often strong enough to pull themselves free from glue traps.
Glue boards should not be set in wet or dusty areas because these conditions render the traps ineffective. Wet feet and fur will not stick to the glue and dust coats the glue till it is no longer sticky. These traps also should not be set where children or pets will contact them.
Glue boards are not hazardous to children or pets, but the encounter will create a frustrating mess. Clean up hands with room temperature cooking oil and clean surfaces with paint thinner or mineral spirits. The best glue boards have at least a ¼ inch layer of glue.
Do not set glue boards near open flames or above carpets. Glue boards should be secured with a tack or small nail, wire, or double sided tape if they are placed on ledges, pipes, or rafters over food preparation surfaces or carpets.
Article provided by Dynamic Pest Control