thread: Humane way to catch pests??

  1. #1
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    Apr 2007
    Sydney
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    Humane way to catch pests??

    I'm not sure if this is the right section, but it seemed to be the closest I could find to the question I want to ask.

    Okay, a few weeks ago I thought that I saw a mouse run through our hallway and go under the door to the spare room. I looked for it, but couldn't see any sign of it (given the amount of crap we keep in the spare room, this is not really surprising...) I was hoping that it was just a stray and that it had come in through the open back door and that we wouldn't see it again. For a few weeks, there was no sign of it.

    But recently, I have seen it twice!! Both of these times it came from under the door - once from the spare room and another time from the front room, which we don't use. I can no longer deny that it either lives in my house or is getting in through the floor or something. And if this one is feeling comfortable enough to visit, how long until his friends and family decide to take up residence too??

    I need to get rid of them. But how? I love all mice and rodents (I even have my rat as part of my avvy) and could never subject them to poison. Traps also seem a bit violent. Is there another alternative (other than getting a cat to scare them off, but obviously that would be a huge responsibility, which I am currently not ready for)?

    So, is there a humane way to get rid of mice, or do I have to set traps?? I saw somewhere that you can buy a machine that makes a high pitched noise that is not audible to humans, but that animals hate, however I have a pet rat, so this is not suitbale either. Any other suggestions??

  2. #2
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    Feb 2007
    on the move.....
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    The most humane way according to the RSPCA's position paper is an appropriate sized trap, checked regularly so that any that aren't killed immediately can be quickly killed or let go.

  3. #3
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    Jul 2007
    Glenroy
    1,458

    Bunnings sell compassionate traps, they work a treat.

  4. #4
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    Apr 2007
    Sydney
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    Thanks for that. Will go to Bunnings this weekend and check them out.

  5. #5
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    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
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    apparently peppermint oil is supposed to deter them, but I haven't had any luck (we do have a very large plague here in town so it's no wonder they're immune...)

  6. #6
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    Apr 2007
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    Peppermint oil is an interesting idea. Is it meant to deter mice only, or other rodents too? I couldn't use it if it would hurt my rat...

  7. #7
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    Sep 2005
    In the middle of nowhere
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    I don't think it hurts them, they just don't like the smell...not sure about rats though babe, sorry.

    nope scrap that I just googled and it says rats don't like it either.