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Rodent Bait Stations vs Snap Traps
Traps are usually one of the first solutions that homeowners will try when trying to rid their home of a rodent infestation. There are two main categories of rodent traps – snap traps and bait traps. But how well do they work, and are there more effective solutions you can try? Of course, the most effective way to handle a rat or mouse infestation is to call the pros at Loyal Termite & Pest Control, but what can you do in the meantime?
Read on for information about each type of rodent trap – and how to choose the right form of pest control for your property.
How Snap Traps Work
Snap traps immediately come to mind when people think of DIY mouse or rat control. They are a simple combination of rodent bait and a pressure-activated metal bar. These traps kill rodents by snapping down on them when they trigger the pressure plate. This typically kills the rodent instantly, but near-misses are possible.
These traps are simple to set up, but can only kill one mouse at a time, needing to be reset each time. They also work best when you’re only dealing with a few mice rather than a full-scale infestation. Mouse traps also aren’t powerful enough to kill a rat, so it’s important to know which kind of rodent you’re dealing with before you buy traps.
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How Bait Stations Work
Rat bait stations are designed to house rat poison securely and attract rodents. They must be handled carefully and kept out of reach from children and pets because the poison they contain is highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested.
These stations can be particularly effective as some are designed to allow the rodent to take the bait back to its nest, potentially eliminating the entire colony over time by spreading the poison within the rodent community.
Important Notes on Rodent Traps
Bait traps and snap traps have different use cases, risks, advantages, and disadvantages. There are a few important things to remember when considering which (if any) to use:
- Do you know the scale of the infestation? Think of snap traps as a “spot treatment;” they work best on small-scale infestations or individual mice. Bait traps offer larger-scale coverage and are better for large-scale infestation – especially ones where the “center” is unknown.
- Safety concerns. Bait traps use poison to kill rodents while snap traps use a snapping mechanism. Both come with potential safety risks if used incorrectly. Snap traps intended for rats may break fingers if accidentally triggered by a human; the poison in bait traps poses a significant risk to children or pets if ingested.
- If you believe a child has ingested rat poison, contact poison control immediately; if a pet ingests rat poison, take them to an emergency vet immediately.
- Other pest control methods. There are other natural pest control methods that don’t involve poisons or snap traps. These methods include clearing away potential hiding places, sealing potential entry points, and cleaning up spilled food and water to discourage rodents from settling on your property.
Professional Rat Baiting & Rodent Control in Virginia
Dealing with rodents on any scale is extremely difficult for the average person to handle. You have a lot to worry about in your day-to-day; luckily, with help from the Loyal Termite & Pest Control team, rats and mice don’t have to be one of those things. Rodent traps may solve your problem if it’s small enough, but they require resetting and may not be effective to completely rid your home or business of rodents.
That’s why we offer comprehensive rodent control solutions to homes and businesses all around Virginia. With us on your side, from initial inspections to final cleanup and recurring preventative care, you’ll have peace of mind like never before.
Rodent Bait Stations vs Snap Traps in Virginia
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