DIY Rodent Control

When tackling a rodent infestation on your own, choosing the right method is essential to ensure safety and effectiveness. One approach that I don’t recommend is using poison. If a rodent consumes the poison and then dies in an inaccessible area, it can create a lingering, unpleasant odor that’s difficult to locate and remove. Also, poison poses a risk to other animals that might eat the dead rodent, causing the toxin to spread through the food chain.

Here are my recommended DIY rodent control methods:

Use snap traps. These traps quickly kill rodents and allow you to easily locate and dispose of them. Use two to four traps per area to increase your chances of capturing all the rodents.

Identify and seal entry points. Use materials like steel wool or mesh wire, secured tightly with screws, to effectively block these entryways.

Handle droppings safely. Many people wonder if they should clean up rodent droppings themselves. I generally advise against it, as dry droppings can carry up to 35 different diseases. Hiring a professional is the safest option, but if you choose to do it yourself, don’t use a regular vacuum because it can disperse harmful particles into the air. Instead, use a HEPA vacuum or carefully wipe the droppings with a damp towel.