How to Poison Mice

Mice in a home presents health issues for family members.

Mice can become a big problem quickly. Mice have a rapid rate of reproduction. The problem in your home could quickly go from one or two mice to many families of mice in a matter of weeks. Controlling mice in your home is not always easy without the use of poison. If a quick solution is needed that requires little maintenance, then poison is the most effective way to control mice in the home. There are a variety of rodenticides on the market like warfarin, chlorophacinone or zinc phosphide that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved for use in the home with bait stations. Bait stations must be tamper-resistant to dogs and children under the age of six. They must also release only small quantities of bait at a time (See Reference 1). There are many commercial products sold at grocery, department and hardware stores that meet the EPA safety requirements for poisoning mice.

Things You'll Need

• Rodent Bait Stations

Instructions

Lowering Mice Populations

1. Remove all available food sources for mice. Keep food containers well sealed in cabinets and all counter tops clean.

2. Locate all the areas of concern in your home; places that mice can easily access but children cannot (loose base boards, holes in plaster or wall, back of cabinets, attics, basements and underneath appliances).

3. Place rodent bait stations in all areas of concern and follow the instructions on the label.

4. If a bait station is removed by the mice, replace it. Once it hasn't been touched within a week, you can safely remove it and stop the poisoning. Control has been achieved.

5. Follow the instructions on the label for disposal of bait stations.

6. Rotate the type of rodenticide used if mice have become immune to the bait station.

Tips & Warnings

• To help control mice before they enter your home, elevate garbage cans and woodpiles.

• Keep grass and weeds trimmed and remove piles of debris from around your home.

• Use fresh bait stations when poisoning mice.

• Products containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum and difethialone are considered second generation anticoagulants and are only legal for use by large farms and agricultural groups. They are very hazardous to people and household pets. (See Reference 1)

• Remember all rodenticides are dangerous. Put them as far out of children and pet reach as possible.

References

• Final Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides
• Rodenticide
• Rat and Mouse Bait: Rodent Baits

Resources

• Prevention and Control