Mouse in the House? Why Your Extermination Attempts Fail

Why did your DIY mouse control fail? You tried to save money to eliminate your rodent problem without help. But now they’re back – and have grown in numbers. Take a look at the reasons why your do-it-yourself pest prevention failed and how a professional can help.

The Wrong Bait

What type of bait attracts mice? If cheese is your answer, think again. Even though movies, cartoons, and TV shows may have popularized cheese as the mouse’s snack of choice, rodents don’t necessarily jump for this dairy option.

While mice will eat almost anything, they prefer grains, fruits, and nuts. With pest control trap bait, peanut butter, other types of nut butter (or hazelnut spread), and chocolate are the best options. If you did use a nut butter, seed, or similar mouse-friendly treat to bait the traps and your efforts still failed, a professional can:

Assess the bait . You possibly didn’t provide the right amount of bait or apply it in the correct way.

Prepare the bait . Human scent on a trap or bait can deter mice. The expert has the experience and know-how to avoid this extermination issue.

Provide another option . Some traps use a scent – and not the actual food. The pest control professional can evaluate the rodent issue and suggest a scented trap treatment plan if it applies to your home’s situation.

Even though incorrect bait use is a primary problem DIY pest controllers experience, it isn’t the only one. Read on for more information on potential mistakes and how to correct them.

The Wrong Trap

Several different mousetrap options are available. While they all work in some situations, the specific type you use should depend on your individual needs. If your mice are able to sneak food away without springing a trap or completely avoid your best efforts, call a professional.

The most common types of mousetraps include:

Spring traps . Spring, or snap, traps are inexpensive options that may not get you the results you want. As the name implies, these traps use a spring-loaded mechanism to snap down on the rodent. Failure to set or bait the trap correctly can leave you with a lingering pest problem.

Glue traps . These traps use scented glue (inside of a cardboard box) to catch mice.

Electronic traps . An electronic trap lures the rodent inside and delivers a lethal shock to stop your pest problem.

The wrong trap choice can waste money and time. Instead of a watch, wait, and replace approach, leave the trap selection to the professional. A pest control technician can recommend and install traps that meet your home’s needs.

The Wrong Placement

You have the right bait and the right trap. But you still have mice. What’s the problem? Chances are you have the wrong placement. Where you put the trap is a key piece of the pest control puzzle.

Trap placement problems may include:

Constant movement . Did you place the trap and then move it a few hours later? Mice are wary of traps (and other strange objects). Give the mice time to adjust to the sight of the trap.

Open area arrangement . Mice shy away from open areas. If you place the trap in a spacious place, you may not attract rodents. Walls and concealed areas are typically the best options.

Too few traps . Did you place enough traps to handle your pest problem? If you’re not sure, a pest control technician can evaluate the issue and recommend the right number of traps for your home’s space.

The pest control professional can also help you to place traps that won’t interfere with your family’s daily life. This helps to ensure the safety of your children, other family members, and pets during the extermination process.

Do you need professional help with your pest problem? Contact Craig and Sons Termite & Pest Control, Inc., for more information.