Why DIY Rodent Control Is Ineffective

Mice and rats are common household pests that can be tricky to deal with once they find their way inside. Their ability to hide in hard-to-reach places often makes identifying and resolving an infestation challenging. If you're struggling with a rodent problem and are using do-it-yourself methods, take a moment to read this article. In it, we’ll discuss why DIY rodent control often falls short and what steps you can take to address the issue effectively. As always, we’re here if you need us. Our team of highly trained professionals is happy to help. Contact Miller Pest & Termite for rodent control in our Midwest service area.

Why your DIY rodent control isn’t working

The primary reason for ineffective DIY rodent control is a lack of knowledge. A successful rodent control strategy begins with understanding rodent behaviors, their natural abilities, the foods they eat, nesting preferences, and the efficacy of the products used to control them. Here are some examples:

Traps don’t stop rats and mice.

There are many ways rodents outsmart rodent control. One of the best examples is how rats are suspicious of new objects in their environment. When they find a trap, their suspicion will outweigh their hunger and cause them to avoid it. 

If traps aren’t catching mice, it’s probably due to placement or bait choice. Mice typically follow walls and edges, so placing traps beyond the room's edges will likely yield poor results. 

The bait you use in traps matters. While old cartoons often show cheese as the ultimate mouse treat, mice are more attracted to sugary foods, seeds, and fats. Peanut butter works far better as bait than cheese.

Rodents ignore mothballs.

Many people use mothballs to repel mice and rats, believing their strong odor will drive rodents away. Unfortunately, rodents often prove surprisingly resilient to smells, and mothballs rarely have the power to make them leave. Even worse, improper use of mothballs can create health hazards for people and pets.

Bay leaves and Irish spring don’t work.

These are two more all-natural deterrents that don’t work well because rodents are resilient to smells. If you’re thinking of sprinkling bay leaves or Irish spring soap shavings to keep rodents out, you may want to rethink that strategy. Rodents will find a way to get around them or ignore them altogether.

Ammonia can be harmful.

Some people turn to ammonia to keep rodents out. While the smell is unpleasant to rodents, it can be harmful to humans, dogs, and cats. Even if this were not the case, ammonia’s effectiveness at repelling rodents is limited.

Peppermint oil wears out.

Many people turn to peppermint oil as an all-natural solution. The idea is that rodents have a strong sense of smell, and peppermint oil irritates their nasal passages; this is partly true. Rodents don’t like peppermint oil, but applying this deterrent often falls short. It is only effective at keeping rodents away from a specific zone, and the peppermint oil scent will slowly dissipate. Using peppermint oil to deter rodent activity isn’t a long-term solution.

Ultrasonic devices just don’t work.

Ultrasonic devices are often marketed as a solution for keeping rodents away by emitting high-frequency sounds. However, research shows these devices are not reliable for long-term rodent control. Rodents may initially be startled by the noise but tend to adapt over time, rendering the devices ineffective.