Humane Deterrents and Pest Control

While the SPCA acknowledges that under certain circumstances, pest control and/or extermination may be required, the SPCA only supports the use of humane methods. The SPCA does not support methods of pest management that cause suffering, pain, or distress to any animal.
  • Regardless of the problems caused by pest animals, they require the same level of consideration for their welfare as animals in other contexts.
  • The SPCA recommends adopting solutions to control pest issues before they begin/escalate as well as subsequent to humane control measures being implemented.
  • The SPCA encourages a review of control or deterrent measures be taken prior to coming to the conclusion that extermination is required.
  • Conventional methods of extermination often involve the use of poisonous chemicals, which have effects on other non-target species, including humans. Other animals, children or adults can be harmed by an animal which has been poisoned or by the chemicals or baits used.

Jump to section:

  1. RODENT CONTROL
  2. HYGIENE
  3. CONTINUAL REMOVAL
  4. CEMENT CURTAIN
  5. SMELLS/SCENTS
  6. LIVE-CAPTURE TRAPS
  7. PETS
  8. PREDATOR DECOYS
  9. ULTRASONIC SOUND DETERRENTS
  10. AUDIBLE SOUND DETERRENTS
  11. LIGHTS

The Position of the SPCA

The SPCA is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares and any trap or trapping device or substance or form of animal control which causes or may cause suffering.

The SPCA is opposed to the use of poisons and has specific concerns about the widespread agricultural and commercial use of chemical substances which are potentially harmful to animals.

1. RODENT CONTROL

NON LETHAL CONTROL METHODS:
  • EXCLUSION

The best and most permanent solution is exclusion.

This means closing off all possible entry points that could be used.

For rodents, this can be undertaken by using materials such as steel mesh, steel wool, expanding foam, wire mesh, chalk, concrete and cement.

Further reading…

Glue Traps Are Cruel and Indiscriminate
Important tips:
  • Rats feel vulnerable in open spaces so eliminate any possible hiding
  • Keep any vegetation around the building short and Rats like to use ivy and creepers to access the roof or exposed roof beams where they may be able to gain entry to the home.
  • They are very good climbers and can run up a brick, rough or textured finish wall. Also trim tree branches that overhang the roof as rodents will readily use a tree to gain access to your roof.
  • Repair broken slates, roof tiles holes, ventilation grates and search for areas where timber may be rotten or insecure. Pay particular attention to areas where mortar is broken as these can create entry points. Seal any holes around pipes and cables going into the house.
  • Make sure windows and doors fit tightly and are not
  • Seal gaps beneath the garage
  • Look for holes in the earth around the base of the building as rats frequently gain access to the foundations and then into the cavity walls.
  • Try smearing grease on top of walls or cross beams/poles being used as runways by the rodents. This makes it slippery and uncomfortable for them to use.
Advantages

If there is no access to food, water, shelter or nesting sites, rodents will go elsewhere and will not be able to reproduce or maintain significant populations;

·       Non-lethal;

·       Non-toxic;

·       No danger to secondary animals.

Disadvantages

None. However this requires much effort by humans but is worth it in the long run. The method only works well in areas that can be sealed/blocked off or kept closed. It will not work in big open factories where it is not possible to close every hole.

This method is recommended.

2. HYGIENE

Good hygiene practices include removing all rubbish from around the house, sheds, garage etc and also eliminating food, water and shelter which might attract rodents.

Ensure that no food is stored or left to which rodents can get access, inside, outside or in sheds and out-houses.

Advantages
  • Good hygiene and housekeeping remove essential resources (water, food and shelter) needed by rodents and limits the numbers of animals that can live in an
  • Assists in minimising health risks;
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic;
  • No danger to secondary animals.
Disadvantages

Good hygiene is very important for controlling rodent populations but hygiene measures may not prevent infestations where exclusion methods are not adequately in place and maintained.

This method is recommended.

3. CONTINUAL REMOVAL

Continually removing the rodents capable of reproducing using humane live capture traps.

Rodents should not be removed during times when rodents have young as the young will be left behind and could suffer if not weaned to fend for themselves.

Advantages
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic;
  • No danger to secondary animals
Disadvantages
  • Rodents mature quickly and produce large numbers of The numbers of rodents present may not change much or may continually increase unless most of the breeding adults are removed;
  • Rodents being removed would need to be relocated appropriately or failing that – humanely euthanased by a professional;
  • Traps must be checked at least once daily.

This method is recommended provided it is undertaken humanely and no animal is left to suffer.

4. CEMENT CURTAIN

This method is used to prevent rodents from living under cement floors. The rodents must be vacated prior to this method being used by means of digging the area open, pet presence and/or smells/scent methods being used.

Once the rodents have been vacated then the “cement curtain” can be created which will exclude them from gaining access again through the floor.

This is a wall of cement going from the edge of the existing floor a minimum of two feet underground. A buried, horizontal portion of curtain-wire barrier extending out away from the wall will ensure that rodents cannot dig downward.

Advantages
  • Using this method prevents having to place cement floors over whole areas of soil;
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic;
  • No danger to secondary animals
Disadvantages
  • Operator must make sure all the rodents and any possible young are out prior to implementation of this method;
  • High cost and effort by owner

This method is recommended.

5. SMELLS/SCENTS

Use of deterrents in the form of natural scents and smells rodents that rodents dislike i.e.:
  • Placing closed glass containers with air holes and moths balls, garlic cloves or toilet cakes / blocks inside in affected areas. Rodents hate these smells and will try to remove their source from the area.
  • Neem seed oil cake, ammonia, diluted peppermint oil or cinnamon oil can be sprayed near the rodent entry holes;
  • A potent concoction of salad oil, horseradish, garlic and plenty of cayenne pepper can also be made by letting the oil sit for several days before placing the concoction in the affected areas;
  • Use a spray bottle to coat surfaces;
Placing strong curry powder, pepper or ammonia in the affected areas also works well.
Advantages
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic except for commercial mothballs and toilet cakes/blocks. This is why they are placed in closed glass containers to prevent contact with any animal;
  • No danger to secondary animals.
Disadvantages
  • Operator must make sure any other animals nearby are not irritated by these strong smells;
  • Genuine moth balls are toxic, hence we advise they should be in a glass container that can be removed and so prevent actual contact with any animal.

This method is recommended.

6. LIVE-CAPTURE TRAPS

Live-capture traps catch rodents but do not kill them. These traps can come in many forms such as cages or bucket traps and can be used for singular or multiple rodent captures depending on the specific trap.

Advantages
  • If done correctly, animals can be caught without harm and followed by release in an area where they will not be seen as pests or humane euthanasia can be undertaken by a professional or authorised person;
  • Non-pest species that are caught can be released unharmed;
  • Non-toxic.
Disadvantages
  • Traps must be checked at least once daily;
  • Some animals may be injured from trying to escape;
  • Some people do not like the idea of having to release a rodent again and most people do not know how to dispose of a rodent humanely once caught alive;
  • Once an infestation has been controlled, traps should not be re-set on the off chance of subsequent infestation.

This method is recommended if undertaken correctly and without harming the animals but only subject to humane euthanasia by a professional/authorised person or relocation to an appropriate location.

GUIDELINE: HOW TO MAKE A HUMANE BUCKET TRAP

Inhumane and unacceptable traps that should not be used under any circumstances:

  • Victor Tin Cat Mouse Trap;
  • Ketch All/Catch All Mouse Trap;
  • Glue Traps

7. PETS

Having the odours/scents and physical presence of pets like cats and dogs can be an effective deterrent for rodents. For larger areas like factories, having a controlled and monitored (by an animal welfare organisation) feral cat colony could help.

Advantages
  • Does not require much human effort;
  • Potentially non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic;
  • No danger to secondary animals.
Disadvantages
  • There is a possibility that a rodent might be caught by one of these pets. Try by all means to prevent this (a bell can be placed on the animal’s collar to alert rodents);
  • Maintenance of pets;
  • Responsible care over weekends of pets;
  • Costs associated with pets.

This method is acceptable if undertaken correctly.

8. PREDATOR DECOYS

Placing life-like decoys of predators such as owls, eagles, snakes, spiders, dogs and cats around the yard and home to appear as a threat to the rodents.

Advantages
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic;
  • No danger to secondary animals.
Disadvantages
  • Needs to be moved daily to maintain the idea that it is If not the rodents may get used to it.

This method is recommended.

9. ULTRASONIC SOUND DETERRENTS

Ultra-Sonic Sound emitters that humans cannot hear. Sounds emitted are disliked by rodents and they will move away.

Advantages
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic.
Disadvantages
  • Operator needs to ensure that there are no other animals in the house or yard (birds in cages, hamsters, dogs, etc). are affected by this device. The distance of the emission to be checked.
  • Cost of purchasing unit (once-off amount).

This method is recommended, but only if no other animals are affected.

10. AUDIBLE SOUND DETERRENTS

Sound emitters make the sounds of predators such as cats and dogs or the sound of rodents in distress. These sounds cause the rodents to move away. Even the sound of a radio with constant human talking may work.

Advantages
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic;
  • No danger to secondary animals.
Disadvantages
  • Operator needs to ensure that there are no other animals in the house or yard (birds in cages, hamsters, dogs, etc.) that could be affected by this device.
  • Purchase costs;
  • Rodents can become desensitised and less responsive.

This method is recommended, but only if no other animals are affected by the sounds.

11. LIGHTS

Motion-activated lights, permanent lights and strobe lights in rodent affected areas.

Advantages
  • The light causes an irritable disturbance and also exposes the rodents to the possibility of predation. They will seek shelter and protection in a new area;
  • Non-lethal;
  • Non-toxic;
  • No danger to secondary animals.
Disadvantages
  • None, other than the costs involved with the purchasing and installation of the lights.

This method is recommended.