Rodent control products: drugs, repellents and traps - we choose the best!

Many people face the problem of mice or rats living in their homes or basements. Rodents cause a lot of trouble, spoiling property in the house or harvested crops in the cellar. After all, highly developed incisors grow throughout life, which forces animals to periodically grind them down, gnawing solid plant food, furniture and even food. The danger of the presence of pests also lies in the fact that they are carriers of infections. Therefore, rodent control must be timely and effective.

What methods of struggle exist?

Currently, there are a huge number of methods for controlling rodents. Some of them came from antiquity, others were developed in modern times. Our great-grandfathers had only 2 tools that helped catch mice and rats - cats and mousetraps. This did not allow us to completely get rid of the pests, but it was possible to reduce their numbers.

With the development of the chemical industry, various reagents appeared that helped eliminate rats and mice from indoors. The most common means is considered to be “Ratsid”, from which special baits were made.

Important! Over time, with the advent of new technologies, more sophisticated and unique means of controlling rodents began to appear.

The “Krysid” product, with which baits are made, was and remains quite popular.

Classification of rodenticides

Rodenticides are repellents against rodents (mice, rats). In a broad sense, this concept should be understood as specialized drugs that are aimed at killing rats or mice. All products of this type can be divided into the following groups.

1. Rapid-acting drugs that cause the death of animals in the house after a certain period of time.
2. Chronic drugs that must accumulate in the body of rodents, which will kill the latter. It takes several weeks to complete the task.

There are two types of rodenticides - means for controlling rodents.
It makes sense to divide such drugs according to other criteria. For example, by active ingredients, mechanism of influence, release form, and so on. It should be noted that there are only a small number of toxic substances on the market; many of them are not allowed to be used in everyday life, since they are sold in large dosages and can cause harm to humans.

Important! That is why, when choosing a product, it is necessary to take into account the dosage and method of use.

For summer residents, the products are presented in ready-made form, where there is a low concentration of the substance. The buyer can only put on rubber gloves for safety and sprinkle the purchased powder or granules in potential places where rodents appear. If you purchased drugs with a strong concentration of poison, it is better to entrust the task to professionals who have the appropriate license and the necessary knowledge.

It is recommended to use products only with a small dosage of the active substance, so as not to harm yourself, your household and pets

Signs of rodents

It is easier to drive away rodents in the early stages, when a whole flock has not yet settled in the house.

You can tell that there are pests in your home based on the following signs:

1. The appearance of strange sounds. Rodents make rustling and squeaking sounds, scratch the floor and walls with their claws, and make noise when they damage things. Rats can jump up to 0.5 m in height, which is why you may hear rumbling noises at night. At night, animals are more active.
2. Presence of excrement. The droppings are round and raisin-like. It is larger than a mouse.
3. Damage to property. Most often, rats gnaw grocery bags, cereal packages and bags of flour. This is how they get their food. However, rodents can also ruin cosmetics, children's toys, clothes, etc. They chew holes in baseboards, walls, doors and pipes.
4. Unpleasant smell. Rats often mark territory. They can leave excrement in their homes and hard-to-reach crevices.
5. The appearance of nests. Animals construct them from polyethylene, papers, torn rags and other similar materials.

Survival of rats is a sharp mind and incredible caution

Rats and mice have a sharp mind that helps keep them alive. There is another feature of the animals presented - division into categories and purpose in the group. There are test rats - they try to try food, assess the situation in relation to this or that “breakfast”. If no consequences occur after eating, then soon everyone will dine here.

Important! If something goes wrong, that is, the animal dies, the poisoned bait will no longer attract attention, and they will refuse the treat.

Almost all modern poisons that are used to poison pests are single-use. But it should be understood that rodenticides do not act immediately - death for the animal usually occurs only 5 days after eating a portion of food. Rats cannot warn their own brothers, since the effect of the poison does not bring any unpleasant sensations, and the rodents still have an excellent appetite. But there is also a drawback that is associated with immunity to small doses of such a drug.

As a rule, the products act in such a way that the pests do not die instantly - this takes several days

How to protect a bird from eating poison

This is not so easy to do. Before removing rats from the chicken coop, it is best to temporarily relocate the bird to another place. Chickens should not be allowed to come into contact with poisoned baits and carcasses of dead rats.

Therefore, you have to lay out the poison in secluded corners where the bird cannot reach, or by hiding it in a piece of pipe of suitable diameter or a box (box) with specially made passages. A chicken will not be able to reach the bait, but a rat or any other rodent will do it with ease. It is necessary to promptly remove dead rodents, burying their carcasses away from the farm.

Cat in the house - mice out!

A cat is considered the best protector of a home from mice. It is this mammal that is considered the most terrible enemy for rodents. It is important to note that most cats catch mice not for food, but for entertainment. Having a domestic cat will allow you to stop using dangerous traps and poisonous agents, which is very safe for families with children.

But there are nuances: not all animals like to hunt, and it may not be possible to completely get rid of rodents. To ensure greater interest in catching mice, it is necessary to leave the cat a little hungry.

Important! It is better to choose undomesticated breeds.

As for rats, everything is much more complicated. In most cases, cats are afraid of rats because of their large size. The behavior of the latter is also more aggressive. Another problem with cats is allergies. People with this disease simply cannot stand cat hair, which forces them to look for more progressive and universal solutions.

You can get cats that will help get rid of rats and mice, but this method, of course, does not guarantee complete elimination of pests

Mechanical traps

These products are simple, cheap, effective, but very troublesome to work with and do not provide such massive destruction of rats as poisons can boast.

The most primitive and simple trap kills one rat and after that requires recharging - until the dead rodent is pulled out of it, it will not kill a new one. As a result, it is extremely difficult for them to catch a hundred or a thousand rats, which means that this is a remedy for a small room, including at home, including in a country house, in a basement, or in a barn.

The advantage of such traps is the controllability of their work. It is quite obvious from the trap whether it worked or not, whether it killed the rat. Moreover, if a rat lives alone in a certain room, a trap is enough to solve the problem with one trigger.

There are trap options designed to catch and kill several rats in a row. Such structures include homemade traps - buckets and boxes with tilting bridges, into which many rats can fall without reloading. But they have no talk about scale: at best, such a trap can catch several dozen rodents. Hundreds and thousands of pests will not be caught in it in a short time.

In addition, the traps are quite safe. Even spring squeezers can be made harmless by simply placing them in a cardboard box with a hole that a cat cannot fit through. In modern containers with such crushers, the trap itself is even fenced off with a partition, into which a particularly curious cat cannot even put its paw. And the rat will climb in without any problems.

These same traps are inexpensive. The simplest rat traps cost 100-150 rubles, more technically advanced ones cost up to 500, which is still quite acceptable.

One such trap can serve faithfully for years, killing hundreds of rats during this time.

And one more non-obvious advantage of such devices: a rat killed in a trap will not run away, die or stink somewhere behind the drywall, or in a ventilation duct, from where its mercilessly stinking corpse cannot be pulled out without the need for repairs.

We use such traps in private homes, in the basements of apartment buildings, in offices, and administrative buildings of enterprises. For home use, this is perhaps the best option.

Mousetraps

This is a popular solution that is relatively cheap and practical to use. The mechanism of operation is very simple: there is a hole, a locking element that operates on a spring, and also a bait that is installed on a latch. Edible bait in the form of bread, meat, nuts attracts attention - the mouse runs up to the device and begins to eat. This leads to activation of the trigger mechanism, after which a blow occurs with a metal lever. After this, the pest dies; to reuse it, you need to dispose of the rodent and install the mousetrap again.

For rats, similar mechanisms are used as those found in rat traps. The presented product is distinguished by its larger size, as well as the presence of special teeth that dig into the skin of the rat. It is important to understand that products of this type do not work in some cases. This is due to the keen intelligence of rats, which can outsmart the device. It is quite possible that the animal will simply ignore it or simply jump away from the product when the mechanism is triggered.

Important! Some experts recommend installing rat traps at the bottom of empty buckets, where there is virtually no room for various types of maneuvers.

To get rid of rats, you can use special devices - rat traps, which can be mechanical or electric.
On the modern market you can find more humane products of a similar type. Many of them allow you to catch the victim, but not kill him. Once a mouse or rat goes to dine in such a device, it cannot get out. Having collected a sufficient number of pests, they can be released into an open field, saving lives and eliminating damage to your property.

Another type of trap are glue traps. They are used quite often as they have become more available in stores. Special cardboard stands are lubricated with a special adhesive composition, and the bait is placed in the center. Once the pest approaches the food, it sticks to the surface and remains until the home owners get rid of the animal.

It is important to understand! Such a device is not reliable, since a large rat can fall into the “trap” and does not stay there for long.

Glue traps for mice are considered quite effective, but in the case of rats they may not help.
All of the products under consideration are excellent for targeted, individual extermination of rodents. If it is important to get rid of an entire colony, it is better to use more practical solutions. The pest population is probably larger than the number of different devices in your home that you can regularly update and operate.

Should be considered! You will not be able to use the mechanisms until you free the mice or rats trapped there. There is also a risk of becoming a victim yourself or harming your own pets.

Homemade rat traps

The simplest and most humane option is the classic rat trap made from a can and a coin. The jar is placed upside down and the bait is placed at a low height. A large coin is placed on the opposite side so that the container is raised and does not collapse on its own. When the rat tries to get the bait, it will move the jar and become trapped. It is recommended to place a lid or any hard flat surface under the neck in advance. This will help you lift the trap without releasing the rat.

Homemade trap made from a bucket and a jar.

Is this method effective?

Thanks to this method, you can catch 1-2 pests, but such rat traps are useless against large flocks. Rats are social and intelligent animals. They warn their relatives of danger by squeaking and do not fall into the same trap twice.

Why is it better to choose Hawk devices?

When purchasing Hawk repellers, you will not have to build any additional traps using step-by-step instructions. It is enough to connect the device to the network and leave it indoors. The repeller acts more humanely because it does not kill rodents, like some homemade rat traps. You don't have to take the animal outside or think about what to do with it.

Another advantage of the devices is their effectiveness against single individuals and large flocks.

Mousetraps are able to cope with a few rodents, but later the pests are no longer caught in the traps. In the case of repellers, rats cannot avoid the effects of ultrasound, so even large flocks have to leave their habitable place.

"Chemistry"

Using chemical pest control is a very effective method. Poisonous drugs often have a pleasant smell and taste, and their effect allows you to completely get rid of rodents. Harassment is carried out both by professional workers and by home owners themselves. In some cases, the procedure is carried out several times, which guarantees the complete removal of colonies of rats and mice without any problems. It is necessary to understand that rodents somehow get into homes, so it is important to eliminate all possible routes of entry.

Special poisonous preparations have an attractive smell and taste for rodents

There are a large number of poisons on the modern market that are aimed at poisoning pests. Some come in granular form, others come in the form of compressed bread, others come as a liquid, and so on. The gas that is available to specialists deserves special consideration. As for the methods of influence, they are very diverse. Some kill instantly, others mummify bodies, ending the lives of rats and mice within a few days.

There is a serious problem with rats - they can adapt to poisons. This helps them eat almost anything without compromising their health. If you notice that after eating chemicals the animal remains alive, it’s time to change the drug to a more effective one. The old solution is no longer suitable for protecting your home and exterminating rodents. Try to experiment, which will lead to the desired and significant effect.

Often rats do not die from poisonous drugs - then you need to choose a stronger drug

Important! When treating premises with poisons or placing them in living rooms, you should treat the procedure with the utmost caution. Do not taste the poison, scatter the poison only in specific places, and also use standard hand protection in the form of gloves.

What substances deserve attention?

As noted above, there are a large number of means that are used to bait rodents. Next, we will analyze some of the main active ingredients of such drugs in order to know the principle of their operation and the basics of use.

Bromadiolone

Preparations that contain an active ingredient such as bromadiolone are excellent for your own home. The concentration of the substance in the general composition should not exceed 0.05 grams per kilogram. Many experts recommend the use of preparations of this type to protect garden crops from mice in utility rooms. Among the popular means in this direction, the following stand out.

Means	Description
"Rattidion"	These are wax briquettes that do not crumble and are not susceptible to water. This combination guarantees a durable, practical product for rooms with high humidity. Attractants are used to increase “attractiveness” to rodents. It should be noted that such poison is also sold in granules. Use this product in homes where pest burrows are visible. The drug is capable of destroying young individuals and pregnant females. Death from "Rattidion" occurs after 5 days.
"Norat"	This is another type of poison that is used in gelatin briquettes or capsules. The drug in question is instantly fatal.

It should be noted that there are many more similar drugs. Among the well-known names are “Blockade”, “Bromine paste”, “Green House” and so on.

Important! Despite all the variety of types and names, the principle of action is similar - the animals die due to disorders of the circulatory system and the appearance of hemorrhagic syndrome.

Brodifacoum

The most popular products with this active ingredient are called “Talon” and “Clearat”. Used for cottages, utility rooms. Brodifacoum is contained in a concentration of 0.05 grams per kilogram. Works well against rodents in enclosed spaces.

Among other popular names of funds are:

• granular "Brodirat";
• briquetted or granulated “Varat”;
• “Kilmays”, “Final”, “Mortorath” and some others.

Products containing brodifacoum are quite effective - for example, Brodirat, Varat, etc.
Some drugs are presented in the form of grain bait. A striking example of this is “Rodefakum”. Experts note that the greatest efficiency is achieved in basements and cellars - both dry and wet.

Important! Depending on the poison chosen, the animal dies from 1 day to 8 days. There is no aversion, death occurs due to a large amount of internal bleeding.

Ethylphenacin

A very popular type of poison that copes well with its tasks. Products with such a substance are distinguished by their versatility of use and form factors that are available to customers. Among the well-known products in this category, “Barrier” stands out, which is sold in the form of a wax briquette. Used for basements, sewer networks, as well as indoors. It should be noted that the presented drug can be used in children's rooms, since the product is safe for humans.

The Barrier product is presented in the form of wax briquettes

“Barrier” is an excellent way to get rid of rodents, since the latter treat the product as regular food. There is no repelling, which leads to the rapid destruction of the entire colony.

Important! The versatility is also due to the fact that the product has a 99% success rate.

Most popular drugs

"Brodifan"

Another popular drug that is used indoors. Supplied to the market in liquid form. Sometimes used as bait for mice and rats. The main active substance is considered to be brodifacoum in a concentration of about 0.25%. Usually the bait is located closer to the rodent den.

The amount is determined by the area; 10 grams per 1 square meter is considered optimal. To increase effectiveness, the drug should be added after eating the last one. The effect occurs on day 4, mice often leave their holes for fresh air, which is associated with breathing problems. The rodents become lethargic, and after a few days they simply die.

The drug "Brodifan" provokes the death of rodents, which occurs after 4-5 days

"Testox"

A popular and versatile product that is used in residential and utility rooms. The active element is bromadiolone, the concentration is about 0.005%. The drug is supplied to the market in the form of briquettes of 10 grams of red color. To increase the attractiveness of the poison, flavors with cheese, peanuts or vanilla are used.

The drug is laid out in rodent habitats, usually placing up to 3 briquettes. The distance between baits should be 2-5 meters. Every 2 days you should check and replace the bookmark, provided that the latter are eaten.

Important! The drug will act within 4 days, the result is extremely similar to Brodifan.

Testox can be used in residential areas

"Warat"

The bait is in the form of pinkish granules. It is used exclusively for mice, often used in garden plots and summer cottages. The active substance is considered to be brodifacoum, the effects of which we are already familiar with. The folding is done in small containers; 15-20 grams (1 square meter) is enough for one point. If used in the fields, you will need about 2 kilograms per 1 hundred square meters. Bookmarks should be updated within 1-2 weeks; the results appear only by the third week of use.

"Varat" only helps get rid of mice

"Lanirat"

A chemical preparation based on bromadiolone. It is available on the market in the form of grain bait, which is treated with the substance discussed above. The product is used in open areas, as well as in the air. As for consumption, what is optimal for a home is 10-50 grams, 200 grams for a hundred square meters. The result will appear after about 10 days.

Important! As for updating, this should be done daily.

The drug "Lanirat" is produced in the form of grain bait

"Storm"

This is a poison made in Germany. BASF specialists worked on the development and creation. The main active ingredient is flocumafen. Available only in the form of briquettes, their color is light blue. As many gardeners note, the product is particularly effective.

To fit 100 square meters, 1 briquette is enough. It is better to place it in places where there is potential shelter for rodents. Pests really like the product, so they always react properly to the “gift of fate.” Please note that it is better not to use a large number of baits, as this will attract rodents from other areas.

The poison should be renewed every 1-2 days. If the bait remains untouched, you should move the latter to another place. As the creators of the product note, the effect on mice will occur within a week. You should work with the drug extremely carefully; the product is highly toxic.

The product "Storm" is considered particularly effective

"Krysin"

Used for both mice and some types of rats. Available in the form of a doughy mass or black powder, it is easy to use. The composition contains the active substance brodifacoum in a concentration of only 0.005%. To make the product attract attention, the composition contains flavoring and food filler. The product is sold in packages of 3-5 grams, 5 and 10 kilograms.

The death of rodents occurs due to suffocation, since the active substance is considered a blood coagulant and a strong pesticide. As a rule, this happens 15 days after the rodent “tastes” the product. It is important to point out the fact that the products do not react with moisture, so they can be used in almost any weather conditions. The shelf life does not exceed 1 year.

Important! It is better to place the product away from sources of liquid, since when the latter is taken up by pests, the effectiveness of the product is significantly reduced.

The “Krysin” product is available both in powder form and in the form of a dough-like mass.

Ultrasonic repellers

Among the most modern and effective pest control tools are ultrasonic units. Products of this type are connected to the power supply, after which they begin to generate sound that is inaudible to humans or other pets. Such a sound is unbearable for rodents, so the latter leave their habitat after prolonged exposure to the latter.

Recently, ultrasonic rodent repellers have become especially popular.

The presented means of combating mice and rats has a number of advantages.

1. Ultrasound is unpleasant to all types of rodents. This means that they will leave their usual habitat as a colony.
2. Does not create an unpleasant odor. Since rodents do not die in the house or warehouse, this does not create this negative phenomenon.
3. Use does not require updating settings or maintenance. The product copes well with the task on an ongoing basis.
4. Low maintenance costs. The most powerful unit available on the market consumes only 10 watts. For electric kettles and vacuum cleaners, for example, these figures reach 2000-2500 W.
5. Long service life, you can get rid of rodents for up to 10 years.

Such devices have many advantages.
It is important to understand that the presented product also has a number of disadvantages.

1. Repellers must be left on at all times. If you turn them off, the mice will soon return to their own lair.
2. Ultrasound tends to be reflected from various hard surfaces. This prevents it from penetrating through walls, which requires installation of the device in all rooms. Ultrasound also does not work on fleecy surfaces.
3. Not suitable for outdoor use. This is due to the limited range of action. Typically the effective distance does not exceed 20 meters.
4. There are fakes on the market, so you can often come across products that do not meet the requirements and have no effect on rodents.

It is important to understand that such devices can only be used in a limited space.

Ultrasound: all the pros and cons

Often buyers have some prejudices that indicate the ineffectiveness of devices of this type. Many objections rest on the following points.

1. Expensive. Some buyers consider the devices to be expensive. But this is if you do not compare it with other processing means. If we consider the use of toxic substances, then you will need about 2 thousand rubles to treat a one-room apartment. As for the device, the expenses here will be in approximately the same range: 1000-3000 rubles. Considering that deratization should be carried out at least once a year, and the repeller works for at least 10 years, then the benefits are obvious.
2. Harm to people. This is clearly a myth, since the devices only operate in a range that is only audible by small pests. Such devices are not harmful to people; all devices are provided with certificates of compliance with sanitary standards.

   
   Ultrasonic repellers are not harmful to people

3. No effect. Some buyers complain about the fact that the products do not help. The neighbors bought it - it didn’t suit them, it didn’t help. This could only happen for two reasons: improper use or poor quality product. In most cases, the use of repellers is accompanied by positive reviews.
4. If you can't hear it, it doesn't work. This is a clear misunderstanding of the essence of the operation of this device. If you read in any encyclopedia about sound and its effect on living organisms, you will be able to determine all the nuances and throw such prejudices aside.

Reviews

Quite a lot of people have already tried the presented product and left positive reviews. But still, some people talk in the comments about their own negative experiences. Inefficiency may be due to a number of reasons.

1. Accidentally or intentionally disabled. To operate effectively, the device must be constantly online. Ultrasound is safe for people, so you cannot and do not need to disconnect the device from the network.

   
   It is important to remember that such a device cannot be turned off - the effect may disappear quite quickly

2. Another problematic issue is associated with incorrect installation. The item should be placed in open areas - it should not be placed in closets or behind the sofa.
3. If there is a huge amount of food in the room that is accessible to pests, ultrasound most likely will not help. Hunger promotes instinctive satisfaction of needs.

Important! Another significant problem is considered to be a low-quality device. Some manufacturers save money and slip in “props” that really don’t work.

You should buy only high-quality devices, and not fakes, which actually do not provide any effect.

Is there a danger to humans, and why is deratization mandatory?

Rats carry the following diseases:

• endemic typhus;
• leptospirosis;
• tetanus;
• plague;
• Q fever;
• toxoplasmosis;
• pseudotuberculosis, etc.

Additionally, they are carriers of helminths and other parasites. Rat fleas and ticks can also carry diseases. At best, they leave their owners and bite people, which sometimes causes allergies. With increased sensitivity, this can even cause anaphylactic shock.

Rats damage property and can injure pets or small children.

They cause harm to a person's mental health: some people experience panic attacks at the sight of rodents. The main danger of pests lies in the fact that they multiply quickly. Even one female brings up to 100 rat pups a year, so the animals quickly occupy the entire home.

Diseases of rats transmitted to humans.

Mole control products

Mole control products deserve special consideration. The latter cause significant harm to your site and spoil its aesthetic appearance. If moles touch the rhizomes of bushes or flowers, the latter will die. But there is also a flip side to the coin: moles are excellent at eating insects and their larvae, which ensures getting rid of the latter.

Currently, there are a large number of products that help get rid of moles. The first and simplest tool is considered to be chemical repellers. Special products are poured into the holes, which becomes a catalyst for the occurrence of unpleasant odors. This becomes the reason for getting rid of the underground animal.

Important! Another equally effective means is ultrasonic devices that are dug into the ground and powered by a solar battery.

You can get rid of moles using chemical or ultrasonic repellers.
When using any of the presented products, you must remember the following nuances.

1. You can get rid of pests only after several days, and sometimes weeks, from the moment of use.
2. The larger the area, the more specialized drugs or devices will be required.
3. Rodents can get used to the drug, so the products need to be changed periodically.

Getting rid of rodents is not always easy, but it is still possible. Thanks to modern tools and advice from the article, you can avoid such an unpleasant neighborhood as quickly as possible and without harm to yourself and others.