Rodents can be a problem at any time of year, but their activity peaks between October and February as the weather gets colder and they seek warmth, shelter, and food sources. They can reproduce very quickly, so you can go from a pair to a full-blown infestation very quickly.
The problem is that from early autumn, rodents start seeking entry points into homes and buildings, and by halfway through the season, they are well established and ranging out to look for food such as leftovers, crumbs, and birdseed in gardens. Once settled they will start breeding by late winter.
Often the only practical solution is to use a rodenticide, ideally placed in tamper-proof bait stations. These should be placed securely in areas with rodent activities like basements, attics, or anywhere signs of infestation are visible, such as droppings, tail marks, and pathways.
Bait
There are different forms of bait available to suit various environments; for instance weather-resistant block baits are ideal for larger infestations, both indoors and outdoors environments. These will deliver a lethal dose of rodenticide in two or three feeds. Often blocks like this have a hole running through the middle, allowing them to be safely secured onto a baiting rod and contained inside a tamper-resistant bait station.
Also for use in a secure bait station, chew-through sachets can provide faster results.
For hard-to-reach spots, paste bait provides a flexible solution. This could even be used safely in environments where children and pets may sometimes be present, so long as it is secured in a bait station.
Other more high-tech solutions to pest control are undeniably ingenious; for instance USB-rechargeable electrical rat and mouse killers housing sensing plates which deliver a lethal high voltage shock that kills a pest in a matter of seconds. Usefully, there’s a safety protection switch, in order to prevent shocks to people or pets.
If you are more squeamish, also available are electronic repellers which emit ultrasonic or electromagnetic waves to make pests uncomfortable enough to want to move house; these can work for a range of pests from mice to moths, mosquitoes and fleas.
It’s worth remembering that blocking entry points for rodents using sealants can cut down on the necessity for laying traps in the first place!
See also: Keeping Your Pond Healthy With Dyes
