Lethal and humane ways to get rid of mice: Which is best?

When your home has been invaded by vermin such as rats or mice, you’ll want to do all you can to show them the door as quickly, easily and decisively as possible.

Generally, there are two options at your disposal – lethal and humane methods. Which you decide to choose will be based on a number of factors, such as the scale and size of the problem and your moral stance on harming animals, even those classed as pests. If you’ve got pest control insurance, you’ll be able to discuss your options with a professional – it’s likely they’ll be able to come up with a favoured course of action.

Here are the main options for lethal and humane methods of pest control:

Humane
One of the most natural defences against mice and rats is having a family pet such as a cat or dog. However, they’re unlikely to be able to deal with a full-scale infestation. In these situations, cage traps can be an animal-friendly thing to use – they lure the vermin in and keep them there until you release them a few miles from your home.

Another option is to use electromagnetic or ultrasound devices, which are plugged into a wall socket and emit low-frequency sounds that scare off rodents. Although they don’t affect dogs, they can distress smaller pets such as hamsters and gerbils. Outdoor repellents could be an option – these are motion detected and emit powerful bursts of ultrasound to scare rodents away. However, once again, they can bother other pets.

Lethal
If you’d sleep sounded knowing that the rats and mice have been completely eliminated, there are plenty of pieces of equipment that can do the job. Electronic traps will kill the animal quickly with an electric volt, however spring-loaded options could seem more cruel, hurting the creature and leaving it to die slowly. Poisons and rodenticides also come with some tough moral dilemmas, as they could pose a threat to your pets, or those owned by your neighbours.

Choosing the right method
Speaking to an expert could be the best way to get the quickest and most efficient outcome. If you’ve got pest cover, you’ll be able to discuss your options by giving your provider a call and getting a professional sent out. Don’t be afraid to get your point across – if you’d really rather not use lethal traps or methods, tell your exterminator to take this on board.