Your exterminator rat bait could be disappearing for a variety of reasons, but the most likely is that, depending on the type of bait used and the type of trap utilized, a variety of pests are discovering it.
Pests that steal bait are classified as follows:
- Rats: Because they are much larger and heavier than mice, rats can readily avoid glue boards and traps designed for mice, taking the food without becoming trapped.
- Insects: Slugs, crickets, ants, and cockroaches are all known to feed on rat bait. Without triggering the trap, these small insects may get in and out of live traps and other non-sticky traps. Invaders include crickets, ants, and slugs, which leave slimy trails on the trap or trigger.
- Small non-target species (squirrels, opossums, and so on) have been known to steal food and bait from various mouse traps/glue boards without being captured.
- Large wildlife (rabbits, deer): Even larger species can be the perpetrators if the bait is easily available and the food utilized is appealing to these animals – for example, anything that could be found in a home garden.
Baiting Mice Suggestions
Mice are sneaky rodents who can eat the bait without being noticed. Here are a few baiting suggestions:
- Wrap a piece of gauze in peanut butter and wrap it around the trap’s trigger to make it more effective. As it struggles to remove the peanut butter from the gauze, its teeth will draw the trigger.
- No excess bait – food bait to lure the rat – the more there is, the more likely the rodent will eat it all, or the trap will snap.
- Use the appropriate trap: Never try to catch rats with a mouse trap. It is likely to be harmed and die an inhumane death if it does not get away with the bait.
- Place the bait in the correct location: To restrict insect accessibility in live traps, hang the bait at the back of the trap.
- Don’t promote nesting: Mice are attracted to nesting materials such as twine and cotton, so don’t promote it. If you’re still having trouble eating food, consider replacing it with these items.
Mice and Other Pest Signs
If you haven’t found any new mouse droppings, your original problem may be solved. If that’s the case, it’s necessary to reexamine the evidence to see if the problem is caused by mice or by another pest, such as cricket or cockroach droppings, which are similar to mouse droppings and may require a professional rat exterminator Chicago eye to discern between the two.
The only way to establish the most effective and efficient management method is to correctly identify the pest.
To stop catching and baiting until mice, other pests, or signs of pests show up, it may be a good idea to stop. After you remove the bait, call an exterminator who can look at the area, look for signs of an infestation, and suggest or offer the best way to get rid of the bugs.
For more information and prevention tips on Rat Poison Disappearing contact ATAP Pest control at (773)701-7705.