How to get rid of mice and rats that gnaw potatoes in the cellar
Cellars in which vegetable supplies are stored for the winter are favorite habitats for rodents. They not only destroy the harvest, 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 this article we will tell you whether mice eat potatoes and how to keep potatoes away from rats underground.
Who gnaws potatoes in the cellar in winter?
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 traces of teeth. Often most of the potatoes are destroyed in a short time.
Pests include:
- various shellfish - like slugs;
- small rodents - mice, rats;
- mole rats and moles.
Ways to control rodents
There are many techniques that can be used to get rid of pests in the underground. They include both folk methods and achievements of science and technology.
Depending on which rodent entered the vegetable store, the ways to combat it also differ.
With mice
The most popular method of dealing with mice is mechanical, that is, using mousetraps or glue. Both kill the animal.
Mousetraps
This is a universal tool for catching and destroying mice. In order for an animal to fall into a trap, bait is placed in it, which will attract the victim.
Important! Mice do not like human smell and avoid it, so when making traps and bait, use rubber gloves.
The main disadvantage of mousetraps is the limitation on the number of individuals caught. Most often, they are designed for only one mouse, after which the trap will have to be recharged. 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. Glue is applied to a flat surface, such as a sheet of plywood or cardboard, and bait is placed in the middle.
A caught mouse will no longer run away and die somewhere in a hard-to-reach place. The trap should not be kept - after catching the animal, it is thrown away.
Among the disadvantages, the trap is not for the faint of heart: the pest does not die immediately, you will have to watch its slow death or finish it off yourself.
With rats
Methods for exterminating rats are divided into three types:
- chemical;
- mechanical;
- biological.
To achieve your goal and get rid of rodents, it is certainly recommended to use all these methods in a comprehensive manner.
Rat traps
If there are rats in the cellar and they are carrying potatoes, set up special traps or rat traps. To attract them to the trap, just put a fragrant bait.
The advantage of rat traps is their ease of use and quick results. One of the disadvantages is the limitation on the number of rodents caught.
Attention! Rats are even more dangerous and cunning than mice. If they smell a foreign smell of metal, they may ignore the installed trap.
Ultrasound
Ultrasonic repellers are also capable of driving rats out of the cellar.They make a sound that is unpleasant to rats' ears, which forces them to leave their favorite place.
Reference. The undoubted advantage of such repellers is safety for humans and pets.
The advantage of this method is that you do not have to search for and remove dead individuals. But there are also certain disadvantages:
- you will have to wait at least three weeks of continuous use for an effective result;
- Rodents can become accustomed to one frequency, so purchase devices with an adjustment function.
The use of ultrasound is one of the most humane ways to get rid of pests.
Universal methods
There are a number of universal methods suitable for exterminating both mice and rats.
Mechanical methods of rodent control
Mechanical methods, in addition to the mousetraps and traps discussed above, also include various traps and baits.
Place a bucket of water under a shaky ledge. When the rodent, sensing the smell of the piece of cheese left for it, reaches the treat, the bar will turn over under its weight, and the animal will end up in a bucket of water.
Use this method with others to increase their effectiveness. Traps are placed in different places where pests are expected to live.
When making baits, mixtures are used - for example, wheat flour and building gypsum. Such baits, along with saucers of water, are placed throughout the storage facility. Rodents die after eating poison.
Chemistry against mice
According to experts, pesticides are the most effective weapon against rodents. Science offers various drugs:
- instant action - poisons cause hemorrhage, killing the animal almost instantly, 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 after about a week;
- mummifying poisons - after death, the animal’s corpse 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.
Suitable preparations for home use are “Ratsomor”, “Rakusid”, “Zookoumarin” or “Ratindan”.
On a note. Rodents are smart animals, so after the death of several individuals, the survivors will no longer touch the bait.
Loud sounds
Loud sounds are an original way that will help you say goodbye to rodents forever. There are examples when they put an old tape recorder in a vegetable store and played loud music several times every day for about ten minutes. The pests could not withstand such a sound attack and left the cellar.
Strong odors and their effect on mice
Rodents cannot tolerate strong odors. They will be scared away:
- peppermint, wild rosemary or tansy;
- mothballs, vinegar, burnt rubber;
- cinnamon, cilantro, coriander.
All you need to do is place fragrant “bombs” on the floor and you won’t have to catch the rats - they will leave on their own.
Biological “weapons” and pests
The natural enemy of rodents is the cat. But she will only hunt mice if she is hungry. Hedgehogs and some dog breeds, such as fox terriers, will help in the fight against rodents.
Reference. This method is only effective in a small room.
Traditional methods of fighting rats and mice
Folk remedies will help you cope with rats that eat potatoes in the basement.
Among those safe for humans:
- ash - corrodes the paws, and then, getting on the mucous membrane, 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 while there is no food in the storage.
How to protect potatoes in the underground from mice and rats
Act quickly, otherwise the rats will eat all the potatoes in the cellar:
- Destroy or remove existing pests using a range of available products.
- Go through all supplies and throw out damaged tubers.
- Seal the cellar as much as possible.
Organize further storage, excluding access of accidentally surviving or newly introduced pests to winter stocks.
Is it possible to eat potatoes chewed by mice?
After you destroy the pests, do not forget to carefully sort through the potatoes, discarding damaged tubers. They cannot be eaten.
Important! This work is carried out with rubber gloves to eliminate the risk of getting a dangerous infection.
SES specialists explain that potatoes that have been lightly nibbled by rats must be thoroughly washed and boiled. Only after heat treatment can it be eaten. If the tubers are thoroughly spoiled, it is better not to risk your health and throw them away.
Prevention of rodents
Getting rid of rodents is difficult. They have already adapted to all human tricks and are very tenacious. Therefore, it is easier to carry out preventive work to create unfavorable conditions for rodents than to fight them in the future.
As preventive measures we recommend:
- concrete the floor;
- cover all the cracks;
- install a metal door;
- glaze the windows;
- remove trash;
- make sure that the holes in the ventilation are no more than 50 mm.
These measures are aimed at preventing rodents from entering the cellar. It will not be possible to get rid of them if the pests have already entered the storage facility.
This is interesting:
Features of storing potatoes in a garage without a cellar.
Conclusion
Now you know how to get rid of mice in the cellar that are gnawing on potatoes. Kicking out uninvited guests is not so easy. Most likely you will have to use several different methods at the same time. If you are not sure of success, turn to professionals: they will handle it quickly and efficiently.