How to Safely Use Rodenticides

How to Safely Use Rodenticides

No matter the size of your rodent infestation, rodenticides can be an effective tool to eliminate mice that have invaded your home or business. They are easy to use and come in a variety of designs, including disposable and refillable. Mice are well-known for carrying illnesses that can transfer to humans, so it is essential to be able to effectively evict them from you home for good and control infestations before they get out of hand. Regardless of the size of your rodent problems, VictorⓇ has a wide variety of solutions that can help.

What Are Rodenticides?

While mouse trap varieties may be common knowledge for most, rodenticides are more of a mystery to the average person. Simply put, rodenticides are a type of poison and are formulated to kill rodents after they ingest a small amount. Many of the formulas contain lots of protein or sugar to attract mice and keep them gnawing.

The active ingredients in rodenticides are divided into two types: anticoagulants and non-anticoagulants. With non-anti-coagulants, a smaller amount of bait needs to be consumed to give rodents a lethal dose. This allows you to save money by using less bait.

Palatable Bait Formula

Palatable Bait Formula

The palatable bait formula is a unique feature of VictorⓇ Fast-KillⓇ Brand Bait Stations. The formula attracts rodents with its appealing smell and keeps them coming back for more. Each bait block contains ingredients, like whole oats, that are a natural part of their diet. These ingredients encourage mice to keep gnawing until they’ve eaten a lethal dose.

How To Use Bait Stations

Knowing how to use rodenticide bait stations will set you up for success. Luckily, these products were designed to be easy to use and refill. Take a look at the steps below to learn how to correctly use your bait station.

  1. Take the bait station completely out of its packaging.
  2. Place the bait station on the floor near where you’ve seen signs of rodent activity. It is best to place bait stations against walls so mice can run directly in.
  3. To minimize risk, choose a location inaccessible to children, pets, or domestic animals.
  4. If using more than one bait station, place them approximately 8 to 12 feet apart to maximize efficiency.
  5. If 4 days have passed with no signs of new feeding activity, move the bait station to another location.
  6. Check for rodents daily. Wearing gloves, collect and properly dispose of dead rodents and leftover bait.

How to Refill a bait Station

When using a refillable bait station, it is important to know how to safely refill it to minimize risk of touching the bait. The steps below will help you achieve this goal.

  1. Place the key in the hole on the top of the bait station and turn until you hear a small click.
  2. Open the lid of the bait station.
  3. Put on a pair of protective gloves and remove one bait block from its package.
  4. Place one bait block in the station on the area marked for bait.
  5. Close station by firmly pressing the top of the lid back on the bait station until you hear another click.
Wear protective gear like gloves and masks when handling dead rodents

There are very few spaces that mice won’t try to invade. They can get in between walls, in cars, attics, basements, living spaces, sheds, and so much more. Rodenticides are effective at eliminating mice, but they do not prevent them from scurrying off to die elsewhere.

Check bait stations daily to monitor the remaining levels of bait. If you notice the bait has been eaten, immediately survey your surroundings to try to find where the rodent may have gone. Some mice will attempt to travel back to their nests, but others may still be nearby. Due to the poison in their digestive system from the bait blocks, it is important to find and properly dispose of these pests before pets, children, or wildlife come into contact with or eat the deceased mice.

Follow these tips to safely dispose of any mice that have eaten the rodenticide.

  1. Don protective gloves to decrease the chance of contracting a disease.
  2. Apply disinfectant to the area around the station and where you found the mouse.
  3. Place the mouse in a sealable plastic bag and place that bag inside another sealable bag.
  4. Throw the bags with the mouse in the trash and secure the lid of the garbage can to prevent any animals from accessing it.
  5. Wash your gloved hands and dispose of them in the trash.
  6. Wash your hands without the gloves as well.

Once your rodent problem is under control, seal any entrances these pests may have used to enter your home to prevent further infestations and take precautions to remove attractants in and around your home.

Share Your Rodent Control Stories!

We always want to hear your success stories and what you did to eliminate mice. Take a look at our Facebook page to ask any questions, share photos, or tell us about your skills. Want to stay updated on our latest products and offers? You can do so by signing up for our e-newsletter. For more useful tips, visit our learning center to find out more ways you can get rid of pests for good.