Rats, mice and cockroaches are not good house guests. They will eat practically anything, and their excreta contaminates what they leave behind. They can spread diseases and other pests (such as fleas) which can affect both humans and animals, and they cause tremendous damage to houses and property. Commonly used anticoagulant rodenticides, however, can take a terrible toll on wildlife:  birds of prey which take animals affected by these poisons can suffer from secondary poisoning, which causes internal haemorrhaging and a slow, painful death. Many insecticides belong to the group of poisons known as organophosphates, which are neurotoxins.  Predators which take animals affected by these poisons can also suffer secondary poisoning which causes spasms, fits, paralysis and eventual death. While it is sometimes necessary to use poisons in the interests of human health, there are other options which should be explored before we introduce toxins into our environment.

HOW TO VOTE RATS AND MICE OUT OF THE HOUSE

Rats and mice move in because they are seeking food, shelter and breeding sites.  By denying them these things, we can make the first and most important move towards getting rid of them.

Tidy up.  Long grass, weeds, overgrown gardens, timber, sheet metal, cluttered sheds and junk piles provide the perfect environment for rats and mice to flourish.  Animal food like bird seed or poultry feed should be stored in airtight, rodent-proof containers (ie: something that can't be chewed through) to make it unavailable to your unwelcome visitors.

Trapping should be undertaken with care.  Traps should never be set where children, pets, wildlife or domestic animals can be injured by them.  Set traps in a safe, covered spot.  Two of the most effective baits to use are peanut butter or pumpkin seeds.

Although baits containing anticoagulants like Warfarin and Bromadioline or Brodifacoum are readily available from your local council or supermarket, they take three to ten days to kill the animal by way of internal bleeding, and during this time, the affected rat or mouse may be taken by a bird of prey, a domestic cat or a dog.  Depending on the number of animals preyed upon, the predator then becomes ill, begins to bleed internally from its liver, and unless urgent veterinary attention is provided, may die.  Many of our magnificent native raptors suffer this horrible fate every year.

If the problem is such that you must resort to using a poison -- and we would never recommend that you simply tolerate rats and mice, to do so would be to risk your family's health -- please consider selecting a Coumatetralyl based poison like Racumin, which is also readily available from shops and is about the same price as the other kinds of baits.  While toxic, Coumatetralyl does not accumulate up the food chain in the same way as Warfaran, Bromadioline and Brodifacoum, and is far safer for the environment.

Whenever you use a poison, always follow the safety precautions on the label, most particularly with regard to accessibility of bait to children, domestic animals and wildlife.

Whether you are using traps, baits or a combination of the two, good placement is essential to effective control of pests.

Place traps and baits near nests, or places where the rats or mice take shelter.  Rats and mice love to run along skirting boards, under floors and in wall cavities.  They like to follow established pathways, and they like dark corners and hidey holes, so always lay your traps or baits near these places for maximum effectiveness.

For traps and baits to be effective, the rats and mice must consider them a viable food source, so always tidy up and remove all other food sources first, otherwise the rats and mice may ignore your carefully planned snares and carry on eating your food instead!

Give rats and mice time to enter traps and take baits.  Mice are curious, and are easily caught.  Rats are cautious, wily animals and will take their time about getting used to something before they investigate, so be patient.
 
 

CONTROLLING INSECTS

As with rats and mice, cockroaches will eat what is available.  Extra attention to hygiene is essential.   Just like rats and mice, cockroaches carry diseases and bacteria, and leave droppings to contaminate food and household surfaces. Cockroaches often come in from the garden.  They will often arrive by hitching a lift in that lovely new trailer load of mulch you just got in, particularly woodchips.  If you have woodchips in garden beds near your house, you will have cockroaches.  Clear away woodchips and leaf litter from garden beds and planters near the house. The humble bay leaf is one of the things a cockroach detests more than just about anything.  Bay leaves are very cheap and can be purchased from the herb and spice section of your local supermarket.  You can grow a small bay tree in your garden and use the leaves fresh. Simply scatter a few leaves in your cupboards and pantries, and cockroaches will be repelled. Similarly, cedarwood balls will repel silverfish.  You can buy cedarwood balls from retailers, or you can purchase essential oil of cedarwood from pharmacies and health food shops. Fleas can be repelled using a suspension of pennyroyal oil in water, sprayed around pet areas and in the kitchen.  Pennyroyal is a herb from the same family as peppermint.  Essential oil of pennyroyal is available from most chemists and health food shops.  You can also grow pennyroyal in your garden, but be aware that as a member of the mint family, it can be an invasive plant. Mosquitos hate basil.  Growing basil close to your house will repel mosquitos. Lavender is another herb you can plant around the house to repel flies and mosquitoes. Another insect repelling plant, the pyrethrum daisy, is available from most plant nurseries.  Pyrethrum extract is used in many insecticides.  Pyrethrum based fly sprays are available from your supermarket, and are safer than many others, but they also contain other chemicals as well, so they should never be considered "harmless."

Remember, when you use poison, you could be killing a lot more than just a few noxious pests.  Think carefully about your choice of pest control strategy.  You can control pests and protect our environment at the same time.

Good luck for a pest free house!
 
 

.