Controlling Rats and Mice: Which Method Is Animal-Friendly?

Rats and mice in the house, in the basement, or in the garden shed—nobody wants that. They gnaw on cables and food supplies, leave droppings behind, and can spread diseases. But which control methods are effective, and which ones are also animal-friendly?

In this article, we outline the methods. We base our discussion on the Guide to Animal-Friendly Methods for Controlling Rats and Mice from the Institute for Nature and Forest Research (INBO) and Animal Welfare Flanders.

1. Prevention: The Most Important Step

Rats and mice are mainly attracted to easily accessible food and a quiet hiding place. If you try to control them without addressing these issues, you’ll soon have new visitors. So start here:

• Sealing food: Store groceries, pet food, and birdseed in sealed containers, and clean up food scraps immediately.
• Properly Disposing of Waste: Use closed containers and do not leave any bags outside.
• Clearing out hiding places: Cardboard, old mattresses, piles of junk, and wood are ideal nesting spots, especially in basements, attics, garages, and garden sheds.
• Sealing Openings: Seal any gaps around pipes and damaged grates.

2. Traps: Animal-friendly if used properly

According to the guide, these traps are animal-friendly, provided they are set up correctly and checked regularly:

• clamps;
• electrocution hazards;
• multi-stage with a striking pin;
• Live-capture cages for a single animal.

The following are strongly discouraged:

• glue traps: The animals experience extreme stress for hours on end and may suffocate;
• Live-capture cages for multiple animals.

Please note: Releasing a live rat or mouse far from home may seem like a humane thing to do, but it isn't. In an unfamiliar environment, the animal often cannot find shelter or food and must defend itself against other animals of its kind.

3. Poison: only as a last resort

Most rat poisons prevent blood clotting. According to the guide, these products are not animal-friendly: the animals die a slow death. Furthermore, they pose a risk to humans, pets, and predators that eat a poisoned animal.

Therefore, use poison only as a last resort, follow the instructions carefully, and keep it out of the reach of children and pets. If in doubt, leave it to a professional pest control specialist.

4. Natural Enemies and Control Methods

A cat in the neighborhood or an owl in the yard can help, as can scents that are supposed to deter rodents. The results vary, especially in the city. Think of them as a supplement to prevention, not as a solution in and of themselves.

5. When should you hire a professional?

• You see rats in your house or during the day.
• The nuisance keeps coming back, even after prevention measures and traps.
• This involves either a major infestation or a commercial building.

In that case, hire a licensed pest control professional. Also check with your local municipality: many municipalities offer assistance with rat control.

6. Tidying up helps, and we're here to help with that

JunkBrothers does not exterminate rats or mice itself. However, we can remove their hiding places, for example, after a pest control professional has visited:

• We clear out cluttered basements, attics, garages, and garden sheds.
• We properly dispose of cardboard, old mattresses, and clutter where rodents nest.
• We'll set aside whatever you want to keep.

See also how to create a cleans up a cluttered basement, or check out our services for garage clearance, garden clearance and clean up.