Humane Pest Control
Most good hardware shops will stock live mouse and rat traps, or will be able to order them from their suppliers. If you have no local stockist, humane traps are also available online. For example, Ernest Charles sells a range of humane traps and deterrents.
Some branches of B&Q sell the 'Trip Trap' humane mousetrap (one way trap so you can catch two).
Check traps regularly
Check traps at least every 6 hours, preferably more often, as mice may die in them if not promptly released.
Ultrasound
There are various devices that use ultrasonic sound to deter mice, rats, ants, spiders, moles; one model covers all. Harmless to birds, cats, dogs and people, although might not be suitable for homes with gerbils, hamsters or other rodents. Can be suitable for home, farm, office and warehouse use. Available from mail order companies e.g. Queenswood Garden Products.
Humane Deterrents
Ants
- Paprika is supposed to be the easiest and best deterrent - sprinkle a line across the ants' entryway, but be careful where it is sprinkled because it can stain when it gets wet.
- Ants also dislike the herbs pennyroyal, lavender, garlic and a liquid preparation of ferns. Try liberal applications of these (the more concentrated the better) on a regular basis.
Aphids and White Fly
- Indoor plants - outside, dew and breezes discourage nesting. Try to recreate these conditions by regular spritzing of plants with water or, for infestations, 1 litre water, 1/2 tsp dish detergent and 1/4 cup vinegar. You could also try a fan for a few hours a day.
Cats & Dogs
- Indoor plants - spraying plant with strong scents such as perfume or air freshener may help
- Liberator Cat Collar Stops cats killing! As the cat pounces a light flashes and an alarm goes off to warn prey. Available from good pet supply shops.
- Coleus canina - a plant that is scentless to humans but is effective at discouraging cats by imitating the smell of a tom cat's urine! Also effective with rabbits and other domestic animals. Available from The Plant Directory 01302 782585.
Fleas
We know of no treatments that do not kill the fleas. Try combing out the existing fleas and repel future insects using one of the following means:
- Tea-tree, eucalyptus, mint, rosemary and lavender oil are all good bug repellents - try making up a mix and spraying a few drops onto your carpet.
- Tea-tree oil applied to the back of the neck and the base of the tail (where they can't lick it) should help keep your cat flea-free
- Xenex - a chemical-free flea treatment available from the vet.
- Supplement with vitamins and minerals. Chlorella, klamath lake algae, spirulina and garlic are all thought to help make dogs and cats less attractive to fleas.
- Denes make a liquid garlic that can be mixed with water and used to groom through the coat to repel fleas.
Flies
- Try burning citronella oil or basil oil near open windows to prevent flies from entering.
Mice
- Prevent all access to food.
- Once you are sure that they have left ensure that all entry points are blocked. Mousemesh have available a steel mesh which you can use to block any holes that require ventilation.
- They dislike garlic, elderberry liquid or Crown Imperial (Fritillaria).
- See also humane traps and ultrasound
Moles
- The Natural Collection sell a Natural Mole Repellent made from essential oils and vegetable oils - it doesn't do them any harm, they just don't like the smell so they leave.
Rats
- Dislike Cat Nip (Nepeta cataria) the plant cats go crazy over.
- Prevent all access to food, then - once you are sure that they have left - ensure that all entry points are blocked
- See also humane traps and ultrasound
Slugs & Snails
Notoriously difficult to deter, but plants can be protected from decimation using:
- The Flowerfortress - a round potholder that is an "effective slug and snail barrier" for outdoor pot plants. Available mail order from Ladybird garden Essentials, Ladybird House, 27 Harwood Vale, Bolton BL2 3QU. £9. 99 plus £2. 95 p&p. Or in person for £9. 99 from David Graham, Tel: 0161 860 4869.
- Slug it Out - protective recycled plastic ring that sits around seedlings or plants, its sloping sides and over-lapping lip keep slugs at bay. Available from The Natural Collection, www.naturalcollection.com tel: 01225 404010
Spiders
- A spray made with chestnut and clove scents deters spiders.
- If you don't like catching them, The Natural Collection has a 'Spider & Bug Buster' - a battery-operated suction device that allows you to gently vacuum up spiders, wasps, and other crawling and hovering insects, and release them outside without harming them.
Wasps
No known deterrent.
- Some people have harnessed the help of a local beekeeper to move the nest to a safer site. However, you can remove the nest yourself around April when it is no bigger than a tennis ball. Place a clear polythene bag over the nest (with the queen inside) and gently remove it. You can then super glue it in a safe dry place (e.g. old shed, dry old hollow tree, etc). Generally speaking they are useful garden insects and come the Autumn they are likely to abandon the nest.
- For the eviction of individual wasps, see the 'Spider & Bug Buster' above.