Mouse traps and Rat Traps

Mouse traps

The mouse trap may seem a bit old fashioned, but it’s an important part of the pest managers tool kit when it comes to rodent management, especially when trying to reduce the amount of rodenticides used.

Mouse traps are particular important in sensitive accounts, such as food handling establishments or accounts where children and pets may come into contact with rodent baits.

Check out our tips for effective use of mouse traps.

Types of Mouse Trap

Snap Traps

There are a variety of snap traps, which are variations on the wood, spring and metal bar traps. They include a range of plastic, easy set mouse traps which minimise the chances of accidentally trapping fingers!

Mouse Glue Trap

Glue traps or sticky traps are an another old fashioned type of trap. Although effective they are considered inhumane as the rodent does not die instantly. They have been banned in a number of countries and their use in Australia is restricted – banned in Victoria and the ACT and restricted in Tasmania. Professional pest managers should only use such traps as a last resort.

The AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Rodent management suggest that they should only be use if the integrity of food safety, biosecurity, or public and animal health is threatened, or if other trapping methods are unsuitable / have not been successful. Even then they should only be used for as long as absolutely necessary.

In situations where their use is appropriate, here are some tips for the effective use of mouse and rat glue traps.

Electric Mouse Trap

Electric mouse traps are expensive but considered the most humane trap as the rodents are killed instantly with a high-voltage shock. They also allow for a no-touch disposal of the mouse. However, it is important that such traps are kept out of reach of children and pets. The new Clash Mouse Trap from Liphatech is an example.

Rat Traps

Rat traps are generally available in the same designs as mouse traps. it’s just they are much bigger! Rat traps have to have a stronger spring mechanism and physically bigger. Glue boards need to be bigger, with a thicker stronger glue. Electric traps need to be bigger and have a larger entrance.

With regulatory pressure on reducing rodenticide use, it is important to consider the advantages of using rat traps.

Humane Mouse and Rat Traps

No-one likes to kill animals unnecessarily, but unfortunately the presence of rodents around homes and food represent a significant health risk. However, it is always important to try and use a control method that reduces any potential suffering. Normal snap traps can be variable in performance. Ideally they kill the mouse or rat quickly with an instant strike to the head or neck. Always seek trustworthy supplier data to support their effectiveness. Electric traps with instant electrocution are probably considered the most humane and effective kill trap.

It is also possible to consider using live traps for both mice and rats. These traps can trap multiple animals. The caught animals can then be disposed of humanely. If this option is to be used in a rodent control program it is important to check the traps each morning and ensure a suitable disposal option is in place.

Best bait or lure for mouse traps

Although cheese may be the first option to spring to mind for baiting rodent traps, it’s actually not the best option. It’s also important to consider what foods the rodents are currently eating. Mice tend to be inquisitive and will try new foods, rats are neophobic and will often avoid new foods initially. So for rats using food they are currently eating may be a good option.

Mice are typically grain, seed and nut feeders and so peanut paste or hazelnut spread are often a great choice.

Rats are also seed and nut feeders, like mice, so peanut paste or hazelnut spread can also be tried. Dried fruit can also be an option. However, as rats tend to prefer high protein foods, bacon has also proven highly successful.

Remember to only place a small amount of food – the idea is to attract them and cause them to trigger the trap, not to feed them!

 

More information…

Safety should be the number one consideration for pest managers in designer a rodent control program. The AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Rodent Management is a great reference document to help design an effective rodent management program which reduces safety risks and environmental impact.

More information on mice.

HUMANE RODENT SOLUTIONS – THE GORILLA TRAP

There is a great deal of current community debate over rodent management. The APVMA is undertaking a detailed review of the use of second generation anti-coagulant rodenticides which will result in future use restrictions. The AEPMA, with this market environment in mind, produced the AEPMA Code of Best Practice for Rodent Management for professional pest managers to follow. This Code recommends a hierarchical approach to rodent management with the lowest risk options considered first. i.e. Exclusion, Removal of food and

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