Poisons and traps both have their place in effective rodent control. In this blog we cover the pros of cons of both.
Rodent control with poison
Rodent poison (rodenticide) comes in many different forms including wax blocks, pasta bait, grain, gels, and foams. This makes it versatile for using in a variety of different settings and situations.
Poison is highly palatable to rodents, making it a highly effective form of rodent control. However, some types of rodenticide are only available to professionals holding a certificate of competence, so it is not appropriate in all cases.
The main downside to using poison is that it can also be toxic to other animals. If not used carefully, it can be eaten by other animals or other animals can eat a rodent that has previously been poisoned.
The other potential issue is that poisoned rodents can die in places where they cannot be found and retrieved, which can sometimes lead to bad odours.
Rodent control with traps
Perhaps the simplest method of rodent control is a trap. There are now many different types available including glue boards and electric traps.
The main benefit of traps is that dead rodents are easily located and can be disposed of.
Sadly, traps are not as effective for large infestations. Rodents breed fast so it would be very hard to keep up. Plus, if you are working with a pest controller, traps can prove costly, due to the regular visits required to check and remove trapped rodents.
Like poison, traps can also unintentionally harm other animals if used carelessly.
Summary: Poison vs traps
We use both poison and traps for rodent control, depending on our assessment of the situation. In both cases care should be taken to avoid endangering other animals.
If the infestation is already large, rodenticides are by far the best option. For that reason, if you have a large infestation and don’t have the certificate required then it is best to work with a qualified pest control company as soon as possible. Contact us today to get the problem resolved as soon as possible.
