An infestation of mice needs quick action to prevent serious damage to any property. Mice breed fast and before you know it you could have a major problem to deal with. Traps are an excellent method of resolving this type of issue, but sometimes poison is needed to get it under control.
After an infestation at my own property, I was forced to resort to poison. This was done by a professional, but he also explained the best ways to use poison if ever I needed to in the future. This guide will give you information about some of the best mouse poisons on the market, based on our own knowledge and on customer reviews. We’ll also explain the best ways to use it and things you should be aware of.
Contents
How To Use Mouse Poison
Mouse poison should obviously be used with extreme caution. If used incorrectly it could make other animals very ill indeed and in some cases could kill them too.
The best way to use your poison is in a bait station. This is a plastic box with an entry and exit hole. The bait is placed securely inside the box and has a pleasing smell to attract the mice. They go in the box, feed off the poison and then it starts to work. If the mice are nesting, they can also take the bait back to the nest, and this kills all the mice there.
The idea behind a bait box is that:
- The poison is kept safely inside the box
- Other animals and children cannot get to the poison
- The box can be left down all year round to keep further infestations at bay
There are several good poisons on the market, and here are just a few of our top picks.
Our 5 Best Mouse Poison Recommendations
1. d-CON Refillable Corner Fit Mouse Poison Bait Station, 1 Trap + 12 Bait Refills
- Includes bait station
- Weather resistant
- Pack of 12
- Ideal for: corners, attics, behind appliances, basements, garages and sheds
The d-CON Refillable Corner Fit Mouse Poison Bait Station includes all you need to start and is quick and easy to set up.
The size of the bait station means it fits neatly in a corner, and the design makes it just as effective outside the house as it is inside, as rain cannot get to the bait. One corner slides out and the bait sits securely in side.
There is a see through area over the bait so you can see when it needs replacing and this pack includes 12 refills. Each pack will kill several mice and can be left in place until it has all gone.
You won’t need to handle dead mice as most of the time they return to their nest to die. The sturdy design means the station can be left out all year round to prevent any future infestations.
The bait and station are safe to use around other animals and children as they cannot get to the poison. The manufacturers are so confident that they even offer a money back guarantee.
2. NEOGEN RODENTICIDE 45-Pack Ramik Rat and Mouse Bait Pail
- Weather resistant
- Pack of 45
- For indoor and outdoor use
The NEOGEN RODENTICIDE 45-Pack Ramik Rat and Mouse Bait Pail is a cost effective way of buying mouse poison. It has 45 bait packs, which can be used in bait stations or anywhere around the property. Each pack has enough poison to kill several mice.
The packs do not need to be opened and can be placed where you need them, but be careful not to put them anywhere where children or other animals have access.
The mice will smell the bait, which is fish flavored, and nibble their way in to the pack. If they are nesting, they may take the pack back to the nest with them.
The sealed packs are weatherproof but if using outside, they are best placed in a bait station to protect other animals.
3. Ditrac All-Weather Blox Bell Labs Rat Poison/Bait
- Weather resistant
- Bait blocks
- Suitable for bait stations
These blocks will sit in a bait station, or can be used loose in secure areas such as boats or RVs. The Ditrac All-Weather Blox Bell Labs Rat Poison/Bait is peanut flavored to attract the mice to eat them.
The mice will then usually return to their nest to die. The blocks are designed to be weather proof, but take care when using outside as other animals may be tempted to eat them.
This item is not available in all areas of the US, and you should check with the manufacturer before purchase.
4. Jaguar Rodenticide Place Packs – 25 Gram
- Weather resistant
- 25 Place packs
- Kills mice, rats, voles
The Jaguar Rodenticide Place Packs are an effective method of killing mice as well as other pests and vermin. The packs are designed to be placed unopened as the mice will smell the bait inside and nibble their way in to eat it.
The 25g packs can be used in bait stations, as well as loose, but always take care not to use them if other animals have access to them. The active ingredient is brodifacoum which is an anticoagulant commonly used in mice poisons.
5. Farnam Just One Bite II Bait Chunks
- Weather resistant
- 25 Place packs
- Kills mice and rats
This bulk box of Farnam Just One Bite II Bait Chunks kills both rats and mice. The size of the pack makes it an excellent choice for a large infestation and one bite is all it takes to kill a mouse.
There is enough poison in this pack to get rid of a big mouse problem!
The chunks can be used in bait stations or placed in secure areas where other animals cannot get to it. It is advertised for agricultural buildings so care should be exercised in and around domestic properties.
Using Mouse Poison
Whenever you use poison, there are some basic rules of safety.
- Always store securely when not in use so others cannot accidentally get to it.
- Keep well out of the way of animals and children.
- Never scatter loose pellets.
- Always check the area you are planning to use the poison to make sure that other animals won’t be affected.
If your pet or child accidentally ingests some mouse poison, seek medical help immediately. Not all poisons will kill other larger pets or children but they can do serious damage if left untreated. Proper medical attention will mean that they get the right treatment to counteract the effects of the poison.
Using a Bait Station
Bait stations are by far the best way to use mouse poisons, and in some areas of the country they are the only way you can use them.
Bait stations hold the poison securely so there is no danger to other animals. Smaller rodents such as voles or small rats can often access the poisons but household pets cannot.
Bait stations can be used safely in any room or in the garden, outhouses, boats and RVs. Many businesses use these permanently to help control the mouse population.
- When setting up your bait station, you should follow the same rules as setting a trap. Look for signs of mouse activity and place the stations next to the wall where they run.
- Check the bait regularly. If it has gone, replace it. If it looks old or has gone damp, replace it.
- If you keep your bait station out all year, check it every 6-8 weeks and replace the bait as required.
- If you see signs of mouse activity elsewhere, you can simply move your bait station.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPZRKT426cg
Types Of Poison
There are several types of mouse poison available but the two most commonly used are anticoagulants and metal phosphides.
Anticoagulants
These are the most common mouse poisons. They act by stopping the mice from forming blood clots and this eventually causes death. There are many different types of anticoagulant and some of these can take up to 2 weeks to kill a mouse.
Some anticoagulants, such as warfarin, will not kill a mouse with one dose, so you will need to keep the poison down until you are sure the infestation has cleared.
Metal Phosphides
This type of poison usually works within 3 days. The phosphides contain zinc, and this creates a poisonous reaction in mice. If mice don’t react to anticoagulants, metal phosphides are the next best option.
Disposing of Dead Mice
One big drawback of using mouse poison is that there is no guarantee where and when the mice will die. Most often they return to the nest and die there but there are occasions when you may find a dead mouse on your property. Don’t leave it where it is, because if it has eaten poison it can harm a cat if it then eats the mouse. You also don’t want dead mice around your children as the bodies carry harmful parasites and disease. Instead use these simple tips to get rid of it.
- Never handle a dead mouse without using gloves.
- The mouse can be thrown away but wrap it carefully and make sure nothing can take it out of the trash.
- If you have found the mouse inside the house, thoroughly disinfect the area where you have found it.
- Be careful of sweeping up any dry droppings, as these can spread dust and contaminate the air.
Good Luck!
