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Knopp, Germany

who uses mothballs to ward off rodents?
how well does it work?
any precautions?
advice?

thanks,
owen

5/18/2006 10:08:00 AM

Chico, Ca

I show no mercy and use traps. killing reduces numbers. Scaring them away just lets them breed somewhere else so they can show back up in numbers. That is why they have so many litters per a season to allow for attrition. One has to break the chain.

Sorry if this is not the answer you are looking for.

5/18/2006 10:29:08 AM

Knopp, Germany

no need to be sorry. if i didn't have a labrador that is more important to me then my AG's, then i would have used bait and killed them long ago.

i am not even sure that putting mothballs out is okay for him. the mice, actually voles or field mice have populated outside of my patch, but last year they did try to put an end to one of my squash late in the season.

i agree with you, outside of keeping him in the house for a few days and getting a professional in to help (if that even works) any other ideas?

thanks,
owen

5/18/2006 10:35:39 AM

addison Il

moth ball and dogs dont mix we have dogs and our shed has mice we throw the moth balls in there and shut the door the dogs are not allowed near the moth balls. give the mice some instant mash potatoes and a drink of water and BAMM they blow up and it wont hurt your dog LOL

5/18/2006 11:01:58 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

cats for rodents

5/18/2006 11:45:07 AM

yup,, cats and the dog would have a new "toy" as well !!

5/18/2006 12:08:19 PM

ENGLAND

Owen. There are bait boxes available, from pest controll companies, that are dog friendly and they work very good. We have 6 rat bait boxes around our buildings and there are farm dogs sniffin around all the time and never once had a dead or ill dog as a result. The rat bait boxes work on the mice too but we still set the "Little Nipper" metal traps too in areas where it's not practicle to put the bait boxes.

5/18/2006 3:49:17 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I knew that moth balls (Naphthalene) are more toxic than rait bait. I had no idea it was this dramatic.

Moth Balls - lowest published lethal dose = LD50 = 50mg/kg

http://www.humco.com/MSDS/0097-Moth_Balls.pdf

Eaton Weatherblock Rodent Bait = LD50 = 47G/kg

Much to my surprise, Moth Balls are 1000 times MORE toxic than this popular rat poison.

I also like the idea of a tamper proof bait station however I've yet to see, sell or use one that the larger breeds couldn't rip apart if the Dog was prone to chewing & left unattended.

Perhaps the best bet is a hungry cat or a quality multi-catch repeater trap. I've had good results with repeaters.

Look about 3/4 of the way down this page:

http://www.wildlifemanagementsupplies.com/en-us/dept_20.html

5/18/2006 4:50:12 PM

Long Island,New York

get some used plywood, sheetrock sheets of a large size and maybe strong cardboard sheets from big boxes....(buy Martina a new refridgerator)...get some green bait blocks-they usually have a center hole. String tie wire through the hole and anchor the baits to the ground by teing the baits to a stick stuck in the soil....cover with the plywood/cardboard etc. It will keep the weeds down, make a nice hangout the mice/voles will love to live under and "oh look ! ...free food !.......basicly multiple baits anchored so they wont be dragged into the open , and in an attractive place for the pests....and undercover from the dog.

5/18/2006 7:21:28 PM

Knopp, Germany

thank you all for the advice. i need to print out glenns instructions......

5/19/2006 1:22:13 AM