The Advantages of Exterior Bait Stations for Homeowners
Mice and rats may look cute in the pet store or as cartoons on TV, but not so much when they’re scurrying across your kitchen floor. Rodents are a common pest issue for many homeowners throughout the country. They’ll chew into just about anything: furniture, insulation, wiring, plastic, wood and paper, potentially causing severe damage inside your home. And once these furry intruders get inside, they can be hard to get out! Rodents can multiply fast and are smarter than many people realize. But did you know that controlling the rodent population outside your home can actually alleviate the rodent problem inside? This is where exterior bait stations can be helpful.
What’s an Exterior Bait Station?
You have probably seen one and not even realized it! A bait station is a device– usually a heavy duty plastic box placed close to the exterior of the home– that securely and safely holds a large amount rodent bait inside. The hungry rodents will crawl inside and eat the poisonous bait. The station doesn’t trap the rodents, but the bait will usually kill them within the next few days.
What are the Benefits of Using Exterior Bait Stations?
Exterior bait stations have been shown to be extremely effective at controlling rodent populations, and are an increasingly popular method of reducing exterior rodent populations. This in turn reduces the possibility of mice and rats entering and infesting your home. Because the bait is held securely inside, the stations prevent children or pets from accessing the chemicals.
Is There Any Downside to Using Exterior Bait Stations?
While they’re an effective rodent-controlling method, the stations still contain poison. Children or pets could be harmed if they somehow find a way to access the bait. Make sure you get stations that are heavy duty and EPA approved- tamper resistant!
I just Bought a Bait Station! Any Tips for Me?
- Try to avoid moving the stations once they are placed– the rodents might become cautious and avoid a station that is frequently moved.
- Place the stations against exterior foundation walls and close to common rodent entry points, including doors, windows, open vents, torn or missing crawl space covers, or openings where pipes or HVAC enter through the walls.
If you have any questions or have a rodent problem you’d like some help with, feel free to give Graduate a call.
