Using poisons or inhumane traps to kill mice and rats causes prolonged suffering for them that can be drawn out over hours, days and even weeks, plus can also kill non-target birds, pets, and other wildlife. When lethal methods are used, we can easily kill unintended animals in the process and cause them prolonged and terrible suffering. Plus, ultimately, we won’t eradicate the problem, but instead will encourage new animals to take up residence in the same place. Pest control does not have to be toxic to us, the environment, or our pets and wildlife. Instead, there are effective, safe and affordable options to evict, control and irradicate rodents and rats, without the harmful and cruel impacts of using toxic chemicals, caustic poisons or inhumane traps.
Cruel Methods to Avoid
- Poisons (Anticoagulant Rodenticide (AR) or toxic chemical baits – These are the very worst options and cause the most pain and suffering—for prolonged periods of time. They also kill non-target species and animals as well. In addition, these poisons and baits will harm the environment that can impact us and our pets. They work by causing internal bleeding through the use of anticoagulants, causing difficulty breathing, suffocation, vomiting, seizures, abdominal swelling and pain—all causing a very slow and painful death over days and possibly weeks. Plus, other animals can eat animals that have been poisoned, causing a high risk and death to innocent birds, cats and dogs, racoons, skunks and possums, and other native wildlife as well.
- 2nd generation rodenticides – Declared too dangerous for public use, the EPA has ordered these off the general market, however, they are still widely available. These are especially deadly to birds – owls, raptors, and birds of prey; our pets; wildlife and to us.
- Sticky or glue traps – The next worst, causing excruciating suffering for hours, days or even longer are glue traps. Once stuck, mice slowly become dehydrated and starve to death, they can experience and live with broken limbs, and die a slow, painful death. Learn more how these traps cause an agonizing death.
- Spring or snap traps – Cause a relatively quick death provided you are using an effective trap. But they can also cause painful and significant injuries that can be cruel and inhumane, and cause prolonged suffering.
- Live traps, non-lethal traps, and relocation – These are most humane, and are effective when checked within 12 hours and when food and water are provided inside the trap, and no injury is caused. This is a better option than poisons or the traps noted above. If the trap is too small, or the food is not all the way at the opposite end, injuries to tails and limbs can be caused during closure. Animals should never be left to die slowly or painfully. Here are instructions from the Humane Society International on how to humanely capture and relocate the animal.
- Electrocution devices (Rat Zapper) – This can be an effective and quick death, but also rats can get smart to them when they see another rat that has died inside, and they stop being as effective. Also, other small animals like baby opossums, squirrels and small wildlife can accidently find them and be killed by them.
- Hiring pest control – If you use this option, make sure that the operator only uses live traps and relocation, and does NOT use any kind of poison or other cruel method of eradication.
- Avoid killing altogether – Decide to choose an effective deterrent and prevention method instead that will deter the animals in the long-term, without killing or causing cruelty.
Effective Deterrents and Prevention
- Place fragranced dryer sheets where the problem is. Rats hate fragrance.
- Use fragranced deodorants and antiperspirants, swipe along the ground or walls.
- Use fragranced soaps, swipe on surfaces, or leave pieces out that scent the area.
- Use peppermint, spearmint or eucalyptus – soak cotton balls in one of these oils and leave along surfaces, or underneath units, and at any entry point. Refresh the oil in a week or two and continue to use until the problem is gone.
- Spray a concoction made from peppermint oil or wintergreen oil diluted in water; or a spray made from equal parts ammonia and vinegar; or a solution made from 1 gallon water + 1/2 cup dish detergent + 1 tablespoon tabasco sauce. You can also use sachets of Balsam fir. Also consider planting peppermint and sage around the yard, which will help to ward off rats and mice.
- Mix together: salad oil, horseradish, garlic and cayenne pepper; let it sit for several days safely away from all people and animals, then strain it – use a spray bottle to coat surfaces with the deterrent.
- Use animal repelling products from garden stores that can be scattered or sprayed, but if you have pets in the area, avoid using altogether.
- Use urine-soaked cat litter in the area.
- Get a cat.
- Lastly, for prevention, keep all food and food scraps cleaned up, stored in containers that are sealed tight, and do not leave food out overnight inside or outside that can attract mice and rats.
Always try to use non-lethal and humane solutions to control wildlife first, this is recommended by scientists and wildlife biologists, and is the most compassionate option that causes the least suffering.
Watch these short videos to learn more about these animals, and to know how you can include them in your circle of compassion.
Glue Traps: Indiscriminate Cruelty (PETA)
Who Cares About Mice and Rats? (PETA)
Making Rodenticides Illegal to Use
In order to protect and keep wildlife safe, and pets and kids safe too, please ask your city and state legislators, and every person you know — not to use Anticoagulant Rodenticides (AR) or poisons. Here is a draft letter that you can use to send to your politician stressing the importance of eradicating these poisons from our environment and wildlife to keep all of us safe and healthy:
Dear Legislator,
The widespread contamination of wildlife by Anticoagulant Rodenticide (AR) is like a massive oil spill, except the injuries are below the skin, in the blood and in the liver – but the ecological damage is comparable.
From ants to apex predators like the mountain lion, these poisons, specifically brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, difenacoum, diphacinone and chlorophacinone, leach through the food web, just like DDT, which was banned 48 years ago.
Exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides can cause illness and reproductive failure, impacting whole populations and entire ecosystems, just like DDT.
If people could see how damaging these poisons are to our wildlife and ecosystems, we would not be discussing their potential ecological impact in 2020 – they would have been banned years ago, just like DDT.
Please save our wildlife and prohibit the use of these pesticides. Please, do not let another year pass, ban them now!
(YOUR NAME)
Credits
Cover photo: Image by Shutterbug75 from Pixabay
