![]() The following precautions, which are easy and inexpensive, will reduce the likelihood of rats and mice entering houses or sheds. ![]() In older buildings, where there may be cracks or loose bricks, problems with rats and mice are also common. Houses that are located close to bush or parkland or other open spaces are prone to mouse invasion. A recent Australian study showed that over 70% of dead and dying boobook owls sampled had been exposed to rodent anticoagulants and that over 50% had dangerously high levels. In addition, the body of the poisoned rodent presents a significant risk if it is eaten by other animals, including native wildlife. These poisons are not considered to be humane due to their toxic effects including difficulty breathing, weakness, vomiting, bleeding gums, seizures, abdominal swelling and pain. These baits contain chemicals, called anticoagulants, which cause the rodent to die slowly and painfully from internal bleeding. People often choose toxic baits as the poisoned rodent will rarely be seen as it wanders off to die. Many people use a toxic bait to kill unwanted pests. Where there is a large scale rodent problem, the RSPCA recommends that only methods resulting in a quick and humane death are used. The RSPCA is opposed to the use of glue boards as they cause severe suffering. It is important to use an effective and reliable snap trap that kills the animal instantly. Traps that have failed should be discarded and replaced by another design or brand of snap trap. If any animals are trapped and injured, they must be humanely killed (with a rapid, heavy blow to the head). It is recommended to place the trap inside a ‘tunnel’ or at the end of a ‘funnel’, which can be created with appropriate sturdy materials, to help guide the rodent into the trap.Īfter setting at night, all traps must be checked every morning and trapped animals checked to ensure they are dead. For best effect, traps should be placed parallel to (not at right angles) and in contact with a wall or other solid object and in a place that encourages the rodent to use a path to the trap.If traps aren’t being triggered, then changing the type of bait may create interest. Baits may include either peanut butter, dried fruit or bread, which should be fresh. The bait should only be placed within the marked bait area and keep the rest of the trap clean of any food matter. This will reduce the likelihood of the trap closing and injuring, rather than killing the animal.The following tips should help with setting traps effectively: Snap traps that are designed well and used properly, are consistently found to ensure a quick death to the mouse or rat and once cleaned, they can be reused. It is recommended to only use a reliable and well-designed trap which ensures that the animal’s head is fully inside the trap area when the trap is triggered and can be consistently set and reset. These come in different sizes that can be used for either rats or mice. Snap trapsĪ more humane and faster method than live trapping and killing is the use of a well-designed snap trap. Prior to setting the trap, ascertain that the clinic can undertake this procedure. Another option is to transport the animal in the live trap safely and comfortably as soon as possible to the nearest veterinary clinic for humane killing. Unfortunately, the available evidence suggests that the survival rate of relocated animals is often very low – releasing animals into a new location is therefore unlikely to be a more humane alternative to killing them quickly and painlessly. Animals must not be left to die slowly in the trap. Live traps must be inspected every morning and any trapped animals humanely killed or released into a suitable location. Before use the trap mechanism must be checked to ensure that it will not catch the tail or limbs of the animal when it closes. Live traps must be designed to avoid injury during closure and when the animal is trapped inside. However, the humaneness of live traps depends on how frequently the traps are checked, the design of the trap, and whether food, water or nesting material are provided to avoid starvation, dehydration or cold stress. The use of live traps is a popular choice for many people who prefer to avoid killing rats and mice but want to remove them from their home or property. The following information provides advice on how to minimise rats and mice establishing, and where control is necessary, the most humane methods available. The RSPCA is concerned that many of these methods are inhumane and involve a slow and painful death. There are a range of different poisons and traps used in Australia for controlling rats and mice.
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