How to get rid of mice and rats that gnaw potatoes in the cellar
Cellars, which store vegetable stocks for the winter, are the favorite habitats of rodents. They not only destroy the harvested crop, but also spread infectious diseases that are dangerous to humans. Rodents reproduce quickly, so as soon as you notice traces of their vital activity in your storage, immediately declare war on them.
In the article we will tell you if mice eat potatoes and how to keep rat-free potatoes underground.
The content of the article
Who gnaws potatoes in the winter in the cellar
An attentive owner will quickly notice that someone else is in charge of his cellar. There are almost completely eaten tubers, part of the crop has teeth marks. Most of the potatoes are often destroyed in a short time.
Among pests there are:
- various molluscs - like slugs;
- small rodents - mice, rats;
- mole rats and moles.
Rodent control methods
There are many tricks that you can use to get rid of pests in the underground. They include both traditional methods and the achievements of science and technology.
Depending on which rodent entered the vegetable store, the ways of dealing with it are also different.
With mice
The most popular way to fight mice is mechanical, that is, the use of mousetraps or glue. Both that, and another kill the animal.
Mousetrap
It is a universal tool for capturing and killing mice. In order for the animal to fall into the trap, a bait is put into it, which will attract the victim.
Important! Mice dislike and avoid human odor, so use rubber gloves when making your trap and bait.
The main disadvantage of mousetraps is the limitation on the number of individuals caught. Most often they are designed for just one mouse, after which the trap will have to be reloaded. The maximum number that a modern mousetrap can catch does not exceed 8 mice.
The main advantage of the method is the ability to visually monitor the presence of pests in the cellar.
Glue
The glue does not kill the rodent immediately, but acts as a trap... On a flat surface, such as a sheet of plywood or cardboard, glue is applied, and bait is placed in the middle.
The caught mouse will no longer run away and die somewhere in a hard-to-reach place. The trap should not be kept - after capturing the animal, it is thrown away.
Of the shortcomings, the trap is not for the faint of heart: the pest does not die right away, you will have to watch its slow death or finish it off yourself.
With rats
There are three types of methods for killing rats:
- chemical;
- mechanical;
- biological.
To achieve the goal and get rid of rodents, it is probably recommended to use all these methods in combination.
Rat traps
If there are rats in the cellar and they are carrying potatoes, place special traps or rat traps. To attract into the trap, it is enough to put a fragrant bait.
The advantage of rat traps is ease of use and quick results. Among the disadvantages is the limitation on the number of rodents caught.
Attention! Rats are even more dangerous and cunning than mice. Smelling the foreign smell of metal, they can ignore the set trap.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonic repellers are also capable of driving rats out of the cellar. They make a sound unpleasant for the rat's hearing, which forces them to leave their favorite place.
Reference. The undoubted advantage of such scarers is safety for humans and pets.
The advantage of this method is that you do not have to search and remove dead individuals. But there are also certain disadvantages:
- an effective result will have to wait for at least three weeks of continuous use;
- rodents can get used to one frequency, so get devices with an adjustment function.
The use of ultrasound is one of the most humane ways to get rid of pests.
Generic methods
There are a number of versatile methods available to kill both mice and rats.
Mechanical methods of rodent control
In addition to the mousetraps and traps discussed above, mechanical methods also include various traps and baits.
Place a bucket of water under a shaky ledge. When the rodent, smelling the smell of a piece of cheese left for him, reaches the delicacy, under its weight the bar will turn over, and the animal will be in a bucket of water.
Use this method with others to increase their effectiveness. Traps are placed in different areas of the intended pest habitat.
In the manufacture of baits, mixtures are used - for example, wheat flour and stucco. Such baits, along with saucers of water, are placed throughout the storage. Rodents, having eaten the poison, die.
Chemistry against mice
According to experts, pesticides are the most effective weapon against rodents. Science offers various drugs:
- instant action - poisons cause hemorrhage, almost instantly killing the animal, the basement pest does not even have time to move far from the bait;
- long-acting - poisons gradually accumulate in the body of rodents, death occurs in about a week;
- mummifying poisons - after death, the corpse of an animal is mummified and does not emit unpleasant odors.
Chemicals are dangerous not only for rats and mice, but also for people and pets. Keep them out of the reach of children and away from food.
For home use, the drugs "Krysomor", "Rakusid", "Zoocoumarin" or "Ratindan" are suitable.
On a note... Rodents are quick-witted animals, therefore, after the death of several individuals, the survivors will no longer touch the bait.
Loud sounds
Loud sounds are an original way to say goodbye to rodents forever. There are examples when an old tape recorder was put in a vegetable store and every day they turned on loud music for ten minutes several times. The pests could not withstand such a sound attack and left the cellar.
Harsh odors and their effect on mice
Rodents do not tolerate strong odors.They will be scared away:
- peppermint, marsh rosemary, or tansy;
- naphthalene, vinegar, burnt rubber;
- cinnamon, cilantro, coriander.
It is enough to spread the fragrant "bombs" on the floor and you will not have to catch the rats - they will leave by themselves.
Biological "weapons" and pests
The natural enemy of rodents is a cat. But she will only hunt mice if she is hungry. In the fight against rodents, hedgehogs and some dog breeds, for example, fox terriers, will help.
Reference. This method is only effective in a small space.
Traditional methods of fighting rats and mice
To cope with rats who eat potatoes in the basement, folk remedies will help.
Safe for humans:
- ash - eats away the legs, and then, getting on the mucous membrane, and the stomach;
- crushed wine cork with vegetable oil and bread - under the influence of gastric juice, the mixture swells and causes indigestion;
- smoke or sulfur bomb - used as long as there are no products in the storage.
How to keep mice and rats away from potatoes in the underground
Act quickly, otherwise the rats will devour all the potatoes in the cellar:
- Destroy or remove existing pests using a set of available tools.
- Go through all the stocks and discard the damaged tubers.
- Seal the cellar as much as possible.
Organize further storage, excluding the access of accidentally surviving or newly penetrated pests to winter stocks.
Is it possible to eat potatoes gnawed by mice
After you destroy the pests, do not forget to carefully sort the potatoes, rejecting damaged tubers. You cannot eat them.
Important! This work is carried out in rubber gloves to eliminate the risk of getting a dangerous infection.
SES experts explain that the potatoes, which are lightly gnawed by rats, must be washed well and boiled. Only after heat treatment can it be eaten. If the tubers are damaged thoroughly, it is better not to risk your health and throw them away.
Rodent prevention
Getting rid of rodents is hard. They have already adapted to all human tricks and are very tenacious. Therefore, it is easier to carry out preventive work in order to create unfavorable conditions for rodents than to fight them in the future.
As a preventive measure, we recommend:
- concrete the floor;
- cover up all the cracks;
- put a metal door;
- glaze windows;
- remove garbage;
- make sure that ventilation holes are no more than 50 mm.
These activities are aimed at preventing rodents from entering the cellar. It will not work to get rid of them if the pests have already entered the storage facility.
It is interesting:
Features of storing potatoes in a garage without a cellar.
Conclusion
Now you know how to get rid of the mice in the cellar that gnaw on potatoes. Kicking out uninvited guests is not easy. Most likely you will have to use several different methods at the same time. If you are not sure of success, contact the professionals: they will cope quickly and efficiently.