Build a Better Mouse Trap

Probably you've heard the saying if you build a better mouse trap, the world will beat a path to your door. I guess many people took that seriously as nowadays there are thousands of mouse traps. One of the most commonly used traps is that shown in the children's cartoons in the last 50 years. Not only is it the most effective mouse trap but it also is very simple. It consists of a piece of wood with a heavy spring device which slams down the mouse if it tries to get the food put in it.

As we are living in the high tech 21st century, there are many people working on a better mouse trap. They want to create something not that simple. There is one great problem with any mouse trap - this is how to get the mouse into the trap. Cheese is considered to be the best bait. Another food that mice love is peanut butter. If not using the first two, then try with rice and some fish.

Having set up the bait, the mouse gets into the simple spring mouse trap and gets killed the same time. End of story. Of course, there are many people who are not willing to kill these friendly, but annoying mice. They can use a mouse trap designed as a mouse jail instead of the common spring mouse trap. When the mouse gets trapped, it doesn't get killed but it cannot escape either. When using such mouse trap mazes you have to take care of the mouse once it's caught. Some of these mouse tunnels are made of clear plastic, so they are see-through and you can watch what your mouse is doing in the trap. Once I came across a mouse trap that could hold up to 30 mice! Amazing, isn't it!

I'm sorry that the directions offered don't say what to do after you've caught the mouse in the trap. Should you let it go in the open? There is no doubt that you don't want to release it as you'll have to catch it again. There are some modern models of mouse traps that involve the use of electricity. Some of them give the mouse a lethal shock while others use batteries to automatically close the door after the mouse goes into the trap.

I know one more type of mouse trap.

I like that one a lot because it has many advantages. It is simple, cheap and highly effective. The only disadvantage of this model is that it is a bit dirty. All you have to do is purchase a few sheets of fly catcher. Before going to bed put one or two of these sticky sheets of paper somewhere in your kitchen. And don't forget to leave some bait in the middle of the sheet. You can be sure that the mouse will fall into your trap and will stick. Then when you find it the next morning, simply fold the flypaper and throw it away.

About The Author
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning pets. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.petsnewsonline.com/pets--animals/pet-news/build-a-better-mouse-trap.html

From The Science Desk

Q: How should pesticides (for home use) be stored? What is the shelf life?


A: Pesticides should be stored in a secure, well-ventilated area, preferably locked in a safe cupboard, garage or garden shed. Most pest control products can be stored for extended periods at temperatures above freezing. Check all labels carefully for specific information.

Other safety rules to follow:


Store products ONLY in the original container. NEVER transfer the contents to another container.

Keep containers tightly sealed.

Pay attention to the symbols illustrating the risk of flammability, explosiveness or toxicity before storing or using.

Do not use kitchen or food measuring utensils to measure any pest control chemicals.

Containers with the "flammable" symbol should be stored away from any sources of heat. Glass and plastic containers should be kept out of sunlight.

Don't store a mixed spray for use at a later date. Diluted materials quickly break down to become less effective.

Most pest control products can be stored for extended periods at temperatures above freezing. Check the label for each product as certain products should be kept from freezing.

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

The Debate Around Controlling Pests In Our Gardens

An important hobby for many Canadians, and one that is increasing in popularity is gardening. "I have a firm belief that the gardening industry is getting bigger," says Mark Cullen, President of Weall and Cullen Garden Centres. Mark is well known across the country for his gardening expertise and from his syndicated radio show and TV program on Better Homes and Garden Television.

"This is an exciting time to be in the gardening business," he says. "We are seeing a growth in demand. We are also seeing younger gardeners in their twenties and thirties embracing gardening - especially first time homeowners." Cullen notes that the business is also getting very competitive as mass retailers and others compete for a share of the pie. He notes that the focus of his company is on providing outstanding customer service and answers to their customers' questions, especially in the area of plant selection and plant health.

To maintain a beautiful and healthy garden and home landscape, gardeners turn to a variety of tools to control pests that can otherwise damage sensitive plants. One of the key tools used are pesticides.

Cullen has seen a trend, particularly with younger gardeners, toward more environmentally friendly pest control solutions. This includes ready to use formulations of lawn and garden pesticides as well as organic pest control products. "People do not want concentrated products on their shelf, and they want to ensure that their pets and children are safe." He notes that retailers are responding to consumer's concerns by selling more ready to use products as well as organic and other non-synthetic products. He also sees homeowners embracing some of the principles of integrated pest management in terms of spot spraying only where there are weeds or insect problems.

Cullen himself combines a variety of tools including cultural, organic and where needed, pesticides in his approach to gardening. He sees an important role for pesticides in terms of being one of the tools available for gardeners. Believing that consumers should look very closely at the toxicity of the products they are buying - whether synthetic or organic. "It is important for consumers to continue to educate themselves on what is safe to use," says Cullen. "There are some synthetic pesticides that are in fact safer to use than some of the organic products out there." He says that toxicity should be the criterion for use instead of labeling a product as either being a synthetic chemical or not.

In terms of safety, Cullen says he is confident in the safety of pesticides when they are used responsibly. "We know that our regulators in Ottawa operate to more stringent standards than in any jurisdiction in the world. This gives me confidence in what we are selling when it is used as directed."

Cullen notes that the debate around pesticides is a complicated issue and that some special interest groups and even politicians try to make it a clear black and white situation when it is not. A balanced approach is needed with both sides playing a role in the debate. "It is unfortunate that the pesticide industry is dismissed outright as biased, as the industry does have credible information to offer."

To ensure that pesticides or other products they sell are used properly, Cullen's staff focuses a great deal of time on education with their customers. "We actively support all of the products we sell and provide our customers with the information they need to use these products properly. Most consumers lead busy lives, so they trust our staff to make the recommendations that are right for them."

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Pest Control Measures For Effective Flea Prevention

Fleas: The unwanted guests in your home.

Fleas are a common cause of irritation and infestation in your home. These unwanted guests can be found in your home and in large quantities. Out of the total flea population found in your home, about 80% of the fleas are still at the egg or larvae stage. These fleas can be found attached to your furniture, carpet, mats and anywhere in your home. The adult flea contributes to just 2% percent of the total flea population in your house. The remaining 18% of the flea population thrives in pupae stage. During this stage fleas are not harmed by any of the pest control products. Pest control products only affect fleas once they get out of the pupae stage. Wonder how many fleas you have at home!

Pest control against indoor flea influx

Fleas are a notorious cause of irritation and disease in your home. They also affect your pets. Fleas are the menace that you would like to get rid of forever. For this purpose there are various pest control products which are available for prevention as well as elimination of indoor infestation by fleas. Though there are numerous flea control products available, all are not safe. One must choose a product that is safe for children and pets. Moreover a good pest control is also water safe for fabrics.

Majority of people and even professionals use flea spray for flea prevention and elimination. The reason behind flea spray is its safety factors. The safest flea or pest spray is labeled as "indoor flea".

A flea spray solution contains two types of substances: an adulticide, it is an insecticide which kills fleas; the other substance is the insect growth regulator (IGR). An average insecticide would not help you in getting rid of the fleas. An IGR inhibits the maturity stage of the fleas by not allowing them to grow.

Pest control measures also include treating your carpets with Nylar. Nylar is an effective pest control measure against roaches and fleas. It inhibits the growth of fleas and leaves residual for up to 3-6 months. Nylar is available in aerosol formulations and liquid concentrate.

Nylar is among the best flea prevention methods. It rids your home of visible adult fleas.

An effective pest control measure for fleas can be buying electronic flea traps. These are an effective alternative to pesticides. A flea trapper kills adult fleas prowling for a pet. The trap emits attractive heat, light and infrared from the light bulb. The fleas get attracted to it and are killed as soon as they touch the screen. It is one of the permanent and safest pest control measures for your home, especially against fleas.

You should use a vacuum cleaner at home. It is the worst enemy of fleas. When used regularly it ensures that your furniture, carpets and sofas remain flea free.

Flea Stoppers is an effective pest control measure against fleas. It is a formulated mini granular orthoboric acid specially made for fleas. Just sprinkle this flea stopper freely on your carpet and to kill fleas and their larvae in the carpet. Flea stoppers are effective even when the carpet is washed or soaped.

Pest control for pets

Fleas mainly breed on mammals. Pets in your home provide as a haven for them. You should check and clean your pets for fleas too.

You should flea comb your pets regularly. Dip the comb in an enzyme cleaner and then comb your pet. You should restrict the entry of the pet in your bedrooms. Wash all pet beddings and rugs to ensure good pet hygiene as well as preventing the fleas spreading. You should bathe your pet too, to prevent fleas from settling on it.

Pest control measure act as an effective flea prevention measures. You should always check your home for fleas and take immediate steps to eliminate them.

About The Author
Michael Jason writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Fleas please visit http://www.fleas-ticks-and-pests.com/ and for additional Household Pest articles please visit the following article page http://www.fleas-ticks-and-pests.com/fleas-articles/.

Termites and Termite Control - How To Stop Problem Jobs From Becoming Nightmares

Termites have a very useful role within our environment, but when they invade and attack your home, they can become a hated enemy, a source of heartache and anxiety. Every problem has a solution, and there is no need for any job turning into a nightmare. There are however, certain practices in the pest control industry that should be adopted for all inspections and treatments, and some "dodgy" operators that should be avoided like the plague!

In Australia, one house in three at some stage will become affected by termites, which is more prevalent than damage caused by fire, storm and flood combined. This article will examine how to prevent termite attack, methods of inspection, protection, control and treatment.

Termite Control

Control of pest termites involves identifying the species, locating the nest and choosing the best eradication methods. A combination of doing regular, competent building inspections in termite-prone areas, using naturally resistant or treated timbers in buildings, and installing chemical and physical soil barriers around buildings is necessary to prevent further problems.

Houses nearby may often have termite nests nearby in trees, stumps and underground but these may not contain pest species. When they do, it should be the main focus of the termite control technician to locate and treat these areas before any protection is implemented. Too often the technician will "advise" the worried homeowner that termites may be "anywhere within 100 metres" of the property and its impossible to pinpoint exactly where they may be coming from.

In my opinion, if you don't even try to find out the origin of the problem, your chances of gaining control of the problem dramatically drop. Even if the house is surrounded by dense bushland, I think it is definitely worth the time and expense of test drilling and treating ALL trees and stumps surrounding the property within a 50-100 metre radius, because that is where most infestations originate. If it means drilling 40-60 trees or investigating all surrounding homes, isn't that a lot better than ignoring a possible source of infestation?

Most pest control companies will not go to this extra effort, and will try to convince the client that their baiting technique or soil barrier system is designed to protect your home in all circumstances. DON'T BELIEVE THEM! Better investigations and inspections lead to better termite protection and treatments. Its only common sense to take all efforts to find out the origin of the attack.

Termite Inspection of Pest Species

Termite identification in Sydney Australia is highly specialized and pest controllers need to thoroughly inspect all areas of the property before any protection or treatment is begun. This may be conducted with the following equipment:

Flashlight with bright light

This is essential and krypton bulbs give the best light for torches generally available today. LED torches, headlamps and flashlights are the next generation inspection tools and should be used when they come onto the market.

A termite sounding donger

A fiberglass rod with a small plastic ball at the end. It is designed to run along skirting boards, higher placed timbers and other exposed timbers. When it runs across termite infested timber the tone changes, indicating hollowed out timber.

A Moisture Meter

It is designed to pick up high moisture content in walls and timbers. Termites bring up moisture from the soil and into the walls and timbers.

A Termatrac microwave tracking device

Termatrac is a breakthrough development in the building inspection detection of termites, invented and developed in Australia using technology similar to radar, Termatrac is the exciting answer to detecting termites through timber, plaster board, brick or masonry with no interference to the building material or termite activity. With no drilling, tapping or prodding, Termatrac is the answer to termite detection without termite defection! With Termatrac, the pest professional enjoys the advantage of accurate detection and customer peace of mind.

Pen Knife & Tape

If termite infested timber is located, we may cut it with a pen knife and expose the interior of timber, identifying the species of termites then seal it back up with tape so as not to disturb the termites.

Listening Device

This listens to termite sounds in the internal of the walls. However, if you tap the wall with your hand and put your ear up to the wall you can hear the soldier termites communicate by tapping their mandibles onto the timbers.

Home Inspection

A home inspection for termites is known in Sydney Australia as a building inspection and includes a pest report and a building report. It involves a thorough visual inspection of the sub floor, roof void interior, exterior, and other areas of the property. An average house takes anywhere from one to two hours to complete. Cost varies from $160-$360 depending on the size of the house and access. This is including G.S.T. Tax

The report consists of multiple pages setting out the areas of concern and what to do to rectify problems. Digital photos are available upon request. Please remember a termite inspection report is designed to detect termites at an early stage as to reduce the amount of damage to your house. It does not stop termites. It is strongly recommended a termite inspection report is carried out at least once every twelve months and every three to six months for high risk areas.

Note: There is no household insurance that covers you for termite damage.

Termite Report

Essentially a termite building inspection report is designed to:

1. Detect old damage and active termites.

2. Gives you the element of risk of infestation.

3. Gives you tips on reducing the chances of termite infestation.

4. Gives us enough information to accurately quote you on a termite treatment and to use the most appropriate method.

5. Identifies species of termites and (most importantly)

6. Educates you about termites.

Economically Important Pest Termites

Out of the 258 described termite species in Australia, only a few timber-damaging species are of concern to us. The five families that include the most common pest species are:

1. Mastotermitidae (1 pest species - Giant Termite, Mastrotermes darwinensis)

2. Kalotermitidae (several pest species of 'dry-wood termites', including the introduced Cryptotermes brevis)

3. Termopsidae (1 pest species - Dampwood termite, Porotermes adamsoni)

4. Rhinotermitidae (7 pest species, including Coptotermes acinaciformes)

5. Termitidae (5 pest species, including Nasutitermes walkeri)

The Giant Termite (Mastotermes darwinensis) has the greatest potential for destruction. However, it is limited to the tropical areas of northern Australia. It attacks any wood in contact with the ground including shrubs and trees, as well as paper, leather, clothing and other materials. It is a large-bodied primitive species that usually forms small colonies and has no true worker caste.

West Indian Dry-wood Termite

The introduced West Indian Dry-wood Termite (Cryptotermes brevis) is considered to be the world's worst termite pest as it can eat even very small timber objects with few external signs of damage, can quickly take over from native termite species, can survive in quite dry conditions, and is easily transported. If it is found, it should be reported to the relevant government authority. It has been found in Brisbane and Sydney, as well as other areas on several occasions.

Most Destructive Species

However the most destructive species overall in Australia is Coptotermes acinaciformes. It is distributed throughout the continent and uses tree stumps, living trees, spaces under buildings and even walls as nesting sites. From the nest site, any wooden structure within a 100-metre radius can be attacked via underground tunnels. Although they usually need contact with soil, some nests of this termite species have even been found several floors up in city buildings or on ferries.

A common species that nests in Sydney's coastal bushland is Nasutitermes walkeri. It forms distinctive round ball-shaped nests that are especially abundant in the years following major bushfires (as it mainly nests in stressed trees). It can also damage fences, poles and wood on the ground, but it rarely attacks buildings. This species has the largest soldiers (up to 6 mm long) of the Nasutitermes genus, with the characteristic nasute head.

High Risk Suburbs

Termite control in Sydney, Australia is particularly important in these high risk suburbs:

Castle Hill
Winston Hills
Dural
Baulkham Hills
Wahroonga
Frenchs Forest
Manly
Epping
Carlingford
Leichhardt

We service all these areas as well as the Australian capital cities -Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Darwin.

Remember, if you follow all of the advice in this article, selecting a qualified Termite Expert who is aware of, and implements appropriate termite inspections, protection and treatments will help prevent a problem job from turning into a nightmare.

You can arrange for a comprehensive inspection by a qualified Termite Expert simply by emailing our office at info@termiteexperts.com.au or Phone: 1300 131 449 for more termite (white-ant) information, to book a termite inspection with one of our members, or to arrange a quote for treatment of termites.

About The Author
Article written by Bruce Gow. Bruce holds Certificate 1V in Urban Pest Management and holds Termite Specialist Accreditation amongst many other pest control certifications. He owned and managed Best Pest Control (NSW) Pty Ltd www.bestpest.com.au, a successful termite and pest control firm for 24 years, and now acts as an internet consultant for the new owner.
Footnote: Bruce is a search engine marketer and does search engine optimization at www.searchengine-guy.com.au
You can reach him at bruce@searchengine-guy.com.au