How to Get Rid of Mice
It used to be that when you had mice, you could just set up some traps and get rid of them. Unfortunately, mice have more than tripled over the past few years and if you have a really bad infestation a few measly traps are not going to help. Because of this companies started manufacturing and selling mice poisons. Unfortunately, this also turned out badly because companies were using ill-fitting boxes or tamper-enabled boxes that when put out, could also be eaten by things like deer, birds, squirrels and raccoons. Because of this, thousands of animals were killed and because of that the Environmental Protection Agency now put a ban out on these types of products. Doesn't mean you can't get them, though, these are the ones specifically that are getting away with still selling these poisons: -
Reckitt Benckiser Inc. (makers of D-Con, Fleeject, and Mimas rodent control products)
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Spectrum Group (makers of Hot Shot rodent control products)
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Liphatech Inc. (makers of Generation, Maki, and Rozol rodent control products)
The EPA has also banned other types of poison such as something called second generation anticoagulants - not for the faint of heart, but these kill animals - any animals, even ones you don't mean to hurt, by causing internal bleeding, after just one dose of the poison. It’s a very violent way to die. Yea, I know, they are mice and feeding on your crops, your home or your yard, but some people including the EPA think there is a better way around using internal bleeding poisons! Do yourself a favor as a home owner, stay away from any of the three brands above, stay away from any bait boxes and really stay away from second generation anticoagulants. This isn't just for your own safety, but researcher’s show that poisons like brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone and disenamour (which are also banned) can actually stay around a home for years after it’s supposedly removed. Which means it’s unsafe for you, your kids, and your pets, as well as wild animals. Instead, consider trying some of these other things: - As with any other pests, it’s important to seal any cracks, holes or gaps in your walls, floors, windows, entryways or wherever else. -
Remove food sources like trash, make sure your kids don't leave crumbs on the floor or counters, remove any fallen food like fruits or veggies from trees, shrubs, bushes and more. If you have mice problems you also need to store your food
properly which might mean you need to keep things in the fridge for a while or make sure you have containers they can't get into. -
Get a housecat - but keep it indoors. House cats are great! But, if you let them outdoors they can also kill other things like moles, voles, and birds.
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If you do use snap traps make sure they are humane and kill them right away. Glue traps are not good because they tend to make the mice squirm for days or weeks on end. Also, glue traps can become something they get used to, and believe it or not, they will get smart and stop walking over to those areas where they are.
Mice are very common in the Northern New Jersey area, they were here before we were and in a way we are invading their home. But if you live in the NJ region and want to hire an expert to get rid of your mouse problem you should consider hiring an exterminator in NJ to deal with the issue for you and get rid of the mice quicker and easier.