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How-to Control House Mice
The most important factor to any mouse control program is pest identification, sanitation and harborage elimination. This will include mouse-proofing the building with construction materials impervious to the mouse and his habits.. Control is based on the behavioral habits of mice. Some of the most important things to remember are:
- Mice defecate wherever they travel but mostly where they feed. Mouse droppings serve to indicate where control efforts should be concentrated. Non-toxic tracking powders can also be used to determine where the greatest mouse activity is occurring.
- Territories are relatively small and rarely exceed 20 ft in diameter. Traps and bait (Contrac) stations must be placed within this area if control is to be effective. If a trap or bait is unused after 48 hours, move it because the mice are elsewhere.
- Mice are nibblers. Put a little bit of bait in many bait stations to increase exposure and consumption. Change baits until their preference is demonstrated, then utilize that bait until feeding stops.
- Mice are inquisitive. Move things around when traps/stations/glue boards are introduced so mice will explore to establish new movement routes. This makes trapping/baiting more successful.
- Mice like nesting material nearby. use nesting material on the trigger of snap traps and in the center of glue boards.
- Water requirements increase with temperature and/or a lower moisture content of food. Use water baits (sweetened with prune juice, pineapple juice, or original cherry flavor Kool-Aid) during hot weather and when food moisture content may be low, e.g.,feed and grain elevators, warehouses, etc.
- Mice are attracted to certain foods. Bait snap traps and/or the center of glue boards with prunes, fresh pineapple, salted peanuts, or whatever they are feeding on at the time.
- Outdoors, reproduction is more seasonal, hitting its low between October and January. Because of a reduced chance of introductions, concentrated control efforts should be more effective in eliminating the mice during this low period.
- Absolutely use clean acetate or rubber gloves when handling the actual bait to be used or anything that will be in close proximity to the mouse as they are extremely sensitive to odors and bait shyness (bait avoidance) will develop should they smell the odor of humans.
Contrac Bait
Bait Stations
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