General News
22 July, 2024
Mice back in big numbers
The vast majority of people around Clifton don’t need to be told that those annoying little mice are back and causing
The Darling Downs suffers periodically from plagues of mice and after a slow start it seems numbers have dramatically increased over the last two months.
Staff at Raff in Clifton said their sales of mouse traps, baits and sticky pads have really picked up with products going off the shelves as fast as they can restock them.
Mouse traps are the preferred method of eradication by many people especially if
concerned over use of baits because of secondary poisoning to pets.
However, when mice numbers reach plague proportions baits are commonly used.
Secondary poisoning to pets can be avoided by use of products such as Ratsak Naturals.
According to the manufacturer Ratsak Naturals is safe to use around livestock, cats, dogs and birds and kills rats and mice by causing them to dehydrate.
Rats and mice have stomach sensors that tell them when they are thirsty and the product sends a message to the rodent’s brain causing them to stop drinking, as the stomach sensors are effectively switched off.
These stomach sensors are unique to rats and mice, and rodents cannot vomit, so once they consume the bait they will die within 4-7 days when used correctly and as per instructions.
The bait is multi-feed and requires the rodent to consume the bait for 2-5 days.
Understanding how mice live and eat is useful when trying to survive a mouse plague.
Although mice aren’t exclusively nocturnal, they tend to be more active at night for a few reasons.
These creatures are sensitive to bright lights and have poor eyesight.
Survival instincts cause them to avoid larger animals and being active at night helps mice avoid being seen by predators, as well as people.
Because mice avoid danger, they may be scared off by bright, flashing lights or loud noises.
Strong, fresh odours tend to overwhelm rodents and their sense of smell, scaring them off.
They avoid danger by relying on their keen sense of smell, which makes up for their weak eyes.
They rely on this sense to find food, detect danger, and follow scent trails as a way of navigation.
People reluctant to use chemical methods of mice eradication often look to more natural methods of controlling mice.
Some strong scents people often use as a natural mouse repellent include lavender, peppermint oil, other natural essential oils, and vinegar solutions.
The colder weather means mice will be looking to find a warmer place to nest with homes and sheds being their preferred options.
With many weeks of winter still to come, these uninvited visitors will be around a little longer despite your best efforts to eradicate them.
Editor’s note: An example of the sheer volume of mice is that in less than a week since beginning to set two traps at the Clifton Courier office, over 30 mice have been caught.
How many mice have you encountered in your house or business and your property? What method of mice removal have you found most effective?
Let us know by contacting 4697 3603 or editorial@cliftoncourier.com.au and we can share it with the rest of our readers.
