Rodents occasionally nest in the arbor or garden shed as uninvited guests. Even though these animals have an important place in the ecological fabric, they can also transmit diseases and cause great damage. In this article we will show you how to get rid of your roommates in an environmentally friendly manner.

Mice may be cute, but they can do a lot of damage

Why are some rodents classified as pests?

About two hundred to three hundred of the mammals with the typical incisors belong to the pests. They either eat food or, living underground, the roots and tubers of plants. Some rodents also tamper with insulating materials and can even damage power and water pipes.

Rats are considered dangerous disease vectors, because the rumor persists that these animals spread the plague in the Middle Ages. This is not the case, because this was the rat flea, which lives in the fur of rodents, which are actually very clean, and is also passed on to humans.

Who is that nuzzling at my little house?

The small lodgers can be easily identified in quiet hours, preferably in the evening and at night:

  • Do you hear gnawing, scratching or scraping noises?
  • Do you find gnawing marks on rubbish bins?
  • Does it smell strongly of ammonia somewhere?
  • Tiny paw prints are also a dead giveaway.
  • Feces in the form of small pills as well as grinding or smearing marks also indicate uninvited guests.

Sensible measures against small rodents

First, it is important to make all food sources inaccessible. Do not leave any food leftovers in the garden shed (€24.90) and close the rubbish bins tightly. A good supply of food magically attracts the little animals.

Even without poisoned baits, which can be dangerous for children and pets, the lodgers can be successfully evicted:

  • A cat keeps mice and rats away. Used cat litter from your house tiger, which you fill in cloth bags and place where you suspect the rodents, is sometimes sufficient.
  • Small rodents are extremely sensitive to noise. If you let it really "rip" from time to time during the day, the little animals might look for another place to hide.
  • Do not place garden furniture and objects in the garden house in such a way that there are hiding places.
  • Find the loopholes through which the rodents come into the house and plug them up.

Relocate uninvited guests

In live traps, subtenants who are already in the arbor can be caught in an animal-friendly manner. However, you usually need several traps, since the animals are very clever.

  • Use peanut butter or sweet mashed potatoes as bait. Marzipan also magically attracts the little animals.
  • Check the traps regularly so that the rodents do not have to remain in them longer than necessary and die miserably of thirst.
  • Before relocating, cover the trap with a cloth.
  • Wear sturdy leather gloves when picking up and moving.

The captured animals should be released at least 100 meters from the garden shed.

tips

Attention, some rodents are hosts of the dangerous Leptospira pathogens. You can become infected with the pathogens through contact with the urine of infected mammals (rats and mice, but also hedgehogs or dogs). Therefore, always wear a face mask and gloves when cleaning and pest control.

Category:

Animals in the garden