Apart from life’s hassles, frustrations, and anxieties, another thing that gets under my skin is the sight of mice. I wouldn’t say I like these nocturnal but sinister creatures. I search and search and find nothing good about this minute’s rodents. House rats/mice are a menace that can cause irretrievable damage to one’s economic and medical well-being. Today’s article will do justice to the various potent rodents repellents/controls.
These creatures are respectful of no country, tribe, skin color, or temperature. They will always find a way to survive in the extremities of situations. No thanks to the fact that they can live for days without food. They are present virtually everywhere around the world. Where you find human activities, you will most definitely find mice. Historians believe it migrated to the US through the colonialist ships during the colonial/ slave trade era.
Especially relevant:
Identification of the house mice
It is commonsensical to define the problem at hand before providing solutions. Before I proceed with my comprehensive list of potent rodents repellents/control methods, I would like to share some basic information about this creature.
History
The house mouse (Mus musculus) is a small, slender of the rodent family that has a slightly pointed nose; small, black, somewhat protruding eyes; large, sparsely haired ears; and a nearly hairless tail with obvious scale rings. House mice are considered among the world’s most troublesome and economically important rodents.
Adult house mice weigh about 2/5 to 4/5 ounces (11 to 22 grams). They are generally greyish brown with a grey or buff belly. In Africa, it primarily in Nigeria, it is believed that the bush rats wander to their homes, eat foods prepared with salt and refuse to go back and live in the bush. The bush rats, which usually initially have brownish fur, have their fur changed to grey due to lack of exposure to sunlight and the fact that they have tasted salty meals.
Also, we are made to believe that the house mice are native to central Asia, from where they were transported(mostly inadvertently) to other parts of the world. Rats are a very adaptable species; the house mouse often lives in close association with humans and therefore is termed one of the “commensal(a class of relationships between two organisms where one organism benefits from the other without affecting it.)” rodents along with Norway and roof rats. House mice are much more common in residences and commercial structures than rats. Brooks (1973) considers them the most common mammal in cities, next to humans.
My personal experiences
I have been on the receiving end of the destructive tendencies of this species. From childhood until now, I still have a cause to encounter them. If not directly, I have to deal with them indirectly due to the proximity to infected houses. I don’t think you should blame me; I am a street guy. However, do not get carried away, as these creatures can invade decongested and relatively tidy environments. Just pray not to incur their wrath. Below are what they have done to me:
- As a child, they often have us do extra jobs cleaning the store.
- As a street boy who once spent around two months in the village with granny, they have gnawed at my feet and hands countless times while sleeping on the mat.
- Growing up as a student, my books have suffered. They wreck this very havoc with their neighbors- the cockroaches.
- And currently, I am suffering for my neighbor’s sins. They are migrating from their house to mine. The shocking one that happened to my neighbor last week was when they ate several wires under the hood of his vehicle. The vehicle refused to start, and it took only the intervention of an electrical engineer to restore normalcy. The engineer warned him severally to avoid a reoccurrence for his safety. He could have gotten involved in a fatal accident had it the wiring failed on motion. Let us all consider the possibility of a fire hazard resulting from this. If you have a garage and have noticed the traces of rats, please act now. I order the most potent repellent for this man, and he is thanking me to date.
GENERAL ECONOMIC & MEDICAL IMPORTANCE OF HOUSE MICE
Health implications
Mice can spread diseases to humans, including:
- Salmonella (food poisoning)
- Respiratory disorder: If you have ever inhaled the urine of male rats, you will agree with me that it has some malodorous smell
- Rat bite fever
- Tapeworms
- Another concern is when you are forced to perceive the odors from a dead rat that you are yet to trace and dispose of.
- You can be hospitalized if you are involved in an accident resulting from rats eating out your vehicle’s wiring.
- Ringworm
- Respiratory / suffocation
- They are also responsible for spreading lasa fever in Nigeria
Economic implications
- Damage to vehicles’ pipes, tubes, and wiring can result in expensive repairs.
- Structural damages: They can eat and deface your beautiful shoes, clothes, or furniture. Mice, in particular, are very destructive to rigid foam, fiberglass batt, and other types of insulation in walls and attics of such facilities.
- Food contamination due to mice infestation: Mouse infestations are so widespread that droppings and hairs often end up in many food commodities intended for human use. Certain levels of rodent contamination are grounds for condemning food commodities.
Habitat and signs of house Mice
House mice live in and around homes, farms, commercial establishments, open fields, and agricultural lands. At times they may be found living far from human settlements, mainly where climates are moderate. Below are some of the signs heralding the presence of Mice:
- Mouse droppings: Usually found in sheltered areas.
- Fresh chew marks: Mice can cause damage to insulation inside walls and by chewing on electrical wires.
- Mice Nests: Mice build their nests from finely shredded paper and other fibrous materials, usually sliced areas.
Feeding Habits
House mice eat many types of food but prefer seeds and grain. They are not hesitant to eat new foods and are considered “nibblers,” sampling many items that may exist in their environment. Foods high in fat, protein, or sugar may be preferred even when grain and seed are present. Such items include bacon, chocolate candies, butter, and nutmeats.
Potent rodents repellents/controls that work in every situation
As I said earlier, I would rather prevent than cure. I do not like controlling rats by killing them manually or chemically. This gives me additional stress. I have always been fascinated by the idea of “using something that will prevent rats from coming near you” I will give you the list of potent rodents repellents/control measures then you can go with anyone that suits your situation.
The Manual/physical/traditional methods of controlling rodents(rats)
1. Kill at sight:
This is a tasking process. In most cases, it is impracticable, especially if you have a crowded room. It means you will empty your room to get the rat. However, this is very advisable if you are sure that the rat got in by mistake. I mean if you know that your own error led to the rat getting in. once you kill the one inside your house, you are safe.
Habitat Modification control: Keeping mice out of the home is the most successful and permanent control. Following the instructions below will help “Build Them Out”:
- Seal all gaps or openings larger than 1/4 inch
- Use heavy materials that can not be chewed through to seal openings, such as wire hardware cloth, liquid foam, plaster, plywood, or metal sheeting.
- Use 1/8 inch galvanized steel mesh to cover openings 1/4 inch or larger
- Seal cracks in buildings, vents, metal or concrete
- Replace damaged window screens
- Seal gaps around pipes and wires
2. Sanitation:
Keeping good sanitation which includes good housekeeping practices and proper storage and handling of food materials, feed, and garbage, is often stressed as a method of rodent control. Unfortunately, even the best sanitation will not eliminate house mice. It will, however, aid in control by permitting easier detection of mouse signs, increasing the effectiveness of traps and baits by reducing competing food items, and preventing mice from flourishing and reaching high populations.
3. Ultrasonic frightening devices
We have various types of ultrasonic repellents. Some produce various distinctive sound waves that make it difficult for the rats to get used to. I got the one with just one sound and medium intensity.
Mice are somewhat wary animals and can be frightened by unfamiliar sounds or sounds coming from new locations. Most rodents, however, can quickly become accustomed to new sounds heard repeatedly. I bought one, but I can’t tell if it is working since I do not have rats. It works for insects and mosquitoes effectively.
For years, devices that produce an ultrasonic sound that is claimed to control rodents have come and gone on the market. There is little evidence to suggest that rodents’ responses to nonspecific, high-frequency sound is any different from their response to sound within the range of human hearing.
What is known about rodents and sound?
—Unusually loud, novel, or ultrasonic sounds, which rodents can hear, will frighten them and may cause temporary avoidance lasting from a few minutes to a few weeks.
—It is very directional and does not travel around corners well; thus, sound shadows or voids are created.
—Ultrasound does not travel very far. It loses its intensity rapidly as it leaves the source.
—Ultrasound has not been shown to drive established rodents out of buildings or areas, nor has it been proven to cause above-normal mortality in their populations. While it is possible to cause convulsions or permanent physiological damage to rodents with ultrasound, the intensity of such sounds must be so great that damage to humans or domestic animals would also be likely. Commercial ultrasonic pest control devices do not produce a sound of such intensity.
4. Chemical Repellents
Sonic, sound, and electronic baits do not work!
- Natural options to repel mice include hot pepper, mint or peppermint in some places. Ground cayenne pepper can keep mice from chewing on trees, shrubs, and fences. House mice do not like some tastes and odors. What I got has peppermint oil as its active ingredient. Chemical rodenticides can kill mice and should be used as a last resort. Follow the directions on the label carefullyRodents find some types of tastes and odors objectionable, but chemical repellents are seldom a practical solution to mouse infestations. If you have a heavy infestation, you will need a combination of methods to save costs. Substances such as moth balls (naphthalene) or household ammonia, in sufficient concentration, may temporarily keep mice out of certain enclosed areas.Ro-pel® is registered for use in repelling house mice and other rodents from gnawing on trees, poles, fences, shrubs, garbage, and other objects. Little information is currently available on its effectiveness against house mice. Other solutions to rodent problems, including rodent-proof construction and methods of population reduction, are usually more permanent and cost-effective than repellents.
- Rodents glue trap: Another acceptable method of controlling rodents is using a mouse glue trap. How to use:
1. Open the glue trap carefully from the seal, and place it where rats are observed.
2. Once the mouse is trapped, dispose of it.
3. Put more traps if the place is rat-infested. Fix it on the floor if necessary
4. For better effect, use it with bait
This will catch and keep the medium size rats in place until you come and remove them manually. The con of this is that it is not very effective against big rats.
5. Trapping and bait stations
Trapping can effectively control mice but requires more labor than most other methods. If you are not careful, you can trap yourself or your kids. Trapping is recommended where poisons seem inadvisable. It is the preferred method to try first in homes, garages, and other small structures where only a few mice may be present. Use it only when you have blocked all mice entrances.
Trapping has several advantages: (1) it does not rely on inherently hazardous rodenticides; (2) it permits the user to view his or her success; and (3) it allows for disposal of the mice, thereby eliminating odor problems from decomposing carcasses that may remain when poisoning is done within buildings.
- Bait Stations Bait stations (bait boxes) may increase both the effectiveness and safety of rodenticides. They came into general use after the development of the first-generation anticoagulants, which require that a continuous supply of bait be made available to rodents. Bait stations are useful because they: — protect bait from moisture and dust;
—provide a protected place for rodents to feed, making them feel more secure. This is an important
the advantage when baiting mice, which like to spend time feeding inside such bait boxes;
—keep other animals (pets, livestock, desirable wildlife) and children away from hazardous bait;
—allow placement of bait in locations where it would otherwise be difficult because of weather or potential
hazards to nontarget animals;
—help prevent the accidental spilling of bait;
—allow easy bait inspection to see if rodents are feeding on it.
6. Tracking Powders
Toxic dust or powders have been successfully used to control mice and rats for many years. When mice walk over a patch of toxic powder, they pick some of it up on their feet and fur and later ingest it while grooming. Tracking powders help control mice where food is plentiful, and good bait acceptance is difficult. Mice are more likely to ingest a lethal amount of a poorly accepted toxicant applied by this method than if it is mixed into a bait material. There is little likelihood of toxicant shyness developing when using tracking powders.
7. Toxicants
Rodenticides were formerly classified into two groups, single-dose (acute) toxicants and multiple-dose (chronic) toxicants. However, the complexity in the mode of action of newer rodenticides makes these classifications outdated. A classification into two groups, the first group including all anticoagulants and the second group all other compounds (“non-anticoagulants”), is currently more helpful. In Nigeria, we call this differently. Yoruba people will call it solo. The East calls it otapiapia. I hate this method with ferocious passion. The poisoned rats will die in hidden areas and start smelling so bad. You will search to no end before you find the carcass
8. Fumigants
Fumigants (toxic gases) are commonly used to control mice in structures or containers such as feed bins, railway cars, or other enclosed areas. Aluminum phosphide, chloropicrin, and methyl bromide are registered for this purpose. Some fumigant materials are registered for use in rodent burrows; however, house mouse burrows cannot be fumigated efficiently or economically because they are small and often difficult to find. Generally, control of house mice by fumigation is only practical and cost-effective in a very limited number of situations. Fumigants are hazardous materials and should be applied only by persons well-trained in their use and who possess the necessary safety equipment.
9. Other Methods
Some dogs and cats will catch and kill mice and rats. There are few situations, however, in which they will do so sufficiently to control rodent populations. Around most structures, mice can find many places to hide and rear their young out of the reach of such predators. Cats probably cannot eliminate existing mouse populations, but in some situations, they may be able to prevent reinfestations once mice have been controlled. Farm cats may serve this function if sufficient in number and supplementally fed.
In urban and suburban areas, it is not uncommon to find rodents living close, associating with cats and dogs, and relying on cat and dog food for nourishment. Mice frequently live beneath dog houses and soon learn they can feed on their food when absent or asleep.
CONCLUSION
The method you go for depends n the type of infestation you encounter. If you have a problem in your garage, use toxic bait or chemical repellents. I will advise a repellent for a vehicle so that the rats will be prevented from gnawing at anything within the vehicle in the first place. You can use a bait station or glue if you have kids around. If it is a massive infestation, call the expert to help you fumigate and maintain adequate control measures ever after.
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