When it comes to pest control, an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) is the only long-term solution for managing rats, mice and other rodents. Other methods using second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAR’s) can be effective at eradicating rats and mice in the short-term but they can also have harmful effects on other wildlife. As a result, the British Columbia government has banned the use of SGAR’s in BC for a period of 18 months beginning on July 21st, 2021.
If rats and mice have made themselves at home in your house, read on to find out how to manage them without dangerous rodenticides.
Why Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides Are Banned
Rodenticides (rat poisons) make use of strong chemicals to kill rats and mice. The problem with the stronger rodenticides such as SGARs is that they can harm other animals.
SGARs include any poisons with active ingredients brodifacoum, bromadiolone, or difethialone. They are highly toxic and lethal to rodents in one dose. The British Columbia government has banned them for sale and use except by licensees providing pest control for Essential Services.
SGARs are not excreted by the rodents before they die, so second-generation coagulation is frequent. This means wildlife or pets that eat a poisoned rodent will also suffer the effects of secondary poisoning.
Ways to Manage Rats and Mice Without SGARs
With the ban on SGARs due to their negative effects, the solution for homeowners to manage rats and mice is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. This program focuses on prevention as the long-term solution to any rodent problem.
Preventative Measures
The safest way to keep rodents out of your home is to prevent them from entering at all. Make sure to seal all possible entrances. The most common of these are:
Holes around doors and windows
Cracked foundations
Unscreened ventilation holes in the attic
Holes around sink
Holes around appliance pipes
Holes in cabinets and closets
These are of particular concern in older properties.
Once you’ve sealed off all potential nesting sites within your home, remove all rodent attractions, including:
Unsealed food containers
Leaking pipes or faucets
Fruits and other food out in the open
Open trash cans
Open compost containers
Pet food or water in open containers
Prevention methods are always prioritized in an Integrated Pest Management program before treatment methods. But what happens if you’re already dealing with mice or rat infestation? If your home has already been invaded by rats or mice and you are past the point of prevention, you need to move to treatment methods.
Treatment Methods
Electronic or snap traps are the best options when getting rid of mice and rats. These traps use an electronic shock and a spring-loaded bar to kill rodents quickly and humanely.
Live traps or glue traps can also be used, however they may often trap birds, small animals or family pets as well and can cause stress and suffering.
Rodenticides, such as first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, should be used as a last resort for short-term treatment. Extreme caution should be used when handling rodenticides, and due to their toxic nature you should ensure that children, pets or other animals are not affected. Low toxic rodenticides like corn cellulose should be used first.
Hire Professional Rodent Removal Services
If your rodent situation feels out of your control, professional pest removal services are ready to help solve your problem.
Our team at The Bugman Pest Control has years of experience with all types of pest control, including rats and mice. We'll have your home rodent-free in no time with an Integrated Pest Management program, without using the dangerous chemicals that SGARs rely on.
Contact us today to schedule rat and mice control services in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and throughout the Okanagan Region.