DIY tips and tricks
from Eagle Eye

On his way to a pest job across Orange, Craig from Eagle Eye Termite & Pest Control stopped by Orange City Life to talk about the concern for high numbers of mice returning to our community.

“There’s a few jobs I’m going to where the mice have returned. They’re sniffing around, not in plague portions, but we need to snip this in the bud now just in case,” Craig said.

After speaking with farmers and chemical companies within the pest industry, Craig says there’s no serious concern about another wave of mice at plague portions occurring anytime soon, as the mice numbers are considered manageable
out west.

“I’ve been told, the mice are manageable,” Craig relays, before continuing, “While they’re manageable that’s good, but when they get out of control, it’s a different question.

“Farmers have far better pest control baits and products for managing them, but for the everyday person who lives in town, they don’t have access to those resources. But if mice move down into suburbia, we’re going to be battling them again,” he says.

“Lots of people see half-a-dozen mice and say to themselves, ‘That’s okay,’ and they put a couple of traps out. That’s great and that should work with controlling them.

“But if it doesn’t work, you think, ‘I wish I had done something earlier, rather than wait a month or two down the track when potentially their numbers can get crazy again,’” Craig explains.

Luckily, Eagle Eye Termite & Pest Control was generous enough to share some do-it-yourself tips and tricks for anyone wanting to control mice around their place.

+ If you don’t know where to start, rodent baits can be sourced from venues such as Bunnings Warehouse, Mullion Produce Pets & Saddlery and other retailers around town.

+ Try lockable traps with baits you can
get off the shelf, which usually sell for a cheap price. Craig says they are effective, but the baits may need replacing depending on the amount of mice you
may have in the area.

+ For disposing of the deceased mice, the good old wrapping them in newspaper and placing in the bin is the usual method. Craig suggested if you’re able to bury them in the garden or under trees, they’re perfect blood and bone fertiliser. “I would definitely dig a feet or two down, just in case your pets dig them up, if you have dogs and cats.

“If you’ve done DIY methods for a few weeks or months and can’t get a hold on controlling the mice around your place, that’s when you call for a pest controller,” Craig suggested.