SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico State Parks says $500,000 in cost-sharing funds from the Bureau of Reclamation will help the state fight invasive aquatic species. The funds will be used for a public education program to prevent and control the invasive …
Pests in the NewsMay 01, 2011
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The general public is on the front lines of detection of tree-killing insects and diseases ARLINGTON, Va. , April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Now that spring has arrived, and summer is quickly approaching, The Nature Conservancy, along with nursery …
Pests in the NewsMay 01, 2011
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Unfortunately, people aren’t the only ones looking forward to the season. Warmer weather also means that flying and stinging pests are looking for places to breed and thrive, and backyards provide the habitat they need. When pests like bees and mosquitoes …
Pests in the NewsMay 01, 2011
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Parris Island Aerial Spraying To Control Pests
WSAV-TV In an effort to control sand flea and mosquito populations, Parris Island is scheduled to undergo aerial spraying between May 2-5, 2011. The spraying will be conducted approximately two hours before sundown. … |
Pests in the NewsMay 01, 2011
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Michigan has been hit by many invasive species: Asian carp, zebra mussels, gobi, alewives, tree of heaven, purple loosestrife, Japanese beetles, lady beetles and most recently brown marmorated stink bug. Can you get rid of imported pests using another import?
Pests in the NewsMay 01, 2011
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QUESTION:
I am having a hard time catching the one last mouse. It stays away from glue boards and snap traps, and I am not allowed to use any bait because the owners have a dog. Any ideas?
ANSWER:
Since this is a residence at least you have a more manageable situation than you would in a larger commercial setting. One thing that is very much needed is to ensure the complete cooperation of the customers in removing ALL other food resources that the mouse has to be finding. This could even be dog food left in the bowl all the time, or dog foods stored in bags where the mice can get to it. If so, then the food should be prepared for the dog, the dog allowed to eat, and the food immediately removed and stored in a mouse-proof container until you are confident there are no more mice in this home. Look at all other food resources as well, such as packaged foods in the cupboards and other storage areas, and all of these must be placed within some sealed containers that will prevent the mice from easily getting to it. This could be thick plastic bins that are easily purchased at stores and which have snap-on lids. If food continues to be left available for the mice they are much more likely to continue to ignore your traps.
Also concentrate heavily on EXCLUSION, and do a careful evaluation of the exterior to determine just how these mice managed to get into this home. Any and all openings (over 1/4 inch wide) must be permanently closed to prevent more mice from entering in the future. It doesn’t pay to catch the mice indoors with a lot of hard work just to allow new ones to enter later.
Once you have minimized or removed all alternative foods you can bait your traps with tempting morsels that will be likely to draw the mice to the traps, whether snap traps or glue traps. There are some commercial attractants that seem to be very attractive to mice, or you can use peanut butter, dried fruit, bits of chocolate, nuts, bacon bits, etc. Tie these to the snap trap trigger so the mouse has to tug on it to try to remove it. Tie the traps to something nearby so it cannot be dragged away if the mouse is caught only by a foot. Use LOTS of traps and place them immediately against walls and other likely runways. You might go in with a UV flashlight and turn the lights off inside so you can scan the area to see if you can spot the runways – urine will fluoresce under UV light. The mice are creatures of habit, and will use favored runways repeatedly.
Clean up all clutter. Mice hate changes, and when you disturb the area they are comfortable with it causes them to move around more, increasing the chances of an encounter with your traps. I have no argument with not using bait inside the home, particularly when it is possibly only one or a few mice. Trapping is faster and more certain that you have gotten the rascals, and traps should be checked within a few days at the most.
Pest QuestionsMay 01, 2011
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