If you’ve got a rat or mouse infestation and you’re trying to figure out which is better for you, rat traps or poison, this post will hopefully help you decide.

Rat Traps Don’t Leave a Smell

One of the greatest advantages to rat traps over poison is disposing of the rat carcass. You may be thinking “who wants to deal with a dead rat and how is that an advantage?” While this may not sound like an advantage – it actually is. If you don’t have the carcass to properly dispose of, it means it is laying in your house somewhere and will eventually create a really nasty smell.

With poison, rats don’t die immediately. They go back to where they came from, typically in your walls, and die there. Unless you’re going to rip through your walls to get it, the body will rot and you’ll be left with a disgusting odor.

Rat Traps Can Be Safer

If you have small children in the house, rat poison may not be the best option for you. Curious kids could try to taste the rat poison.

rat traps also can be safer than poison if you have a cat or dog. When you sprinkle rat poison pellets around your house, you’re putting it in places you see rat activity or damage. If you can see the activity or damage, it’s most likely in a spot your dog or cat can get to.

While there are rat traps that could hurt your kids or pets (think a traditional snap trap coming down on a little finger), there are rat traps that are actually very safe to use around kids. I’m talking about electronic mouse traps. They make electronic mouse traps that deactivate if they are ever opened. Should your child or dog find the trap and get curious, they can’t hurt themselves in the process of investigating it.

Rat Traps Let You Keep Track

With rat traps, you know exactly how many rats you killed. You can keep track of how many are being caught to know when you need to stop using rat traps.

With poison, you have no way of telling, except by looking for sign of damage or activity. And often these signs are hard to spot in hard-to-see locations. So while you may think you’ve got good mouse control, you in fact don’t, and they are continuing to multiply.

Rat Traps Are Quick

Rats are killed instantly, or almost instantly, when they encounter rat traps. When they eat poison however, it takes days for them to die. Even the most effective poisons take 3-5 days to kill a rat.

The sooner these rats are taken care of, the sooner your home will be safe from damage.

Rat Traps Are Cheap

One rat trap can last for years. Poison, on the other hand, needs to be continually replaced for most effective rodent control.

And even the more costly traps come out to be less expensive in the end. Take the electronic rat trap I mentioned before. It may cost more upfront than your traditional snap trap or rat poison, but it can kill up to 10 rats at a time.

This guest post written by Michelle Anderson who writes on all things animal control, including rat traps and mice repellent.

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All dogs drool.  There, I said it.  I don’t care how proud you are of your biologically mutated super breed of dog that is not only hypoallergenic, but actually cures people of their allergies, not only doesn’t bark, it can sing arias from Carmen, not only doesn’t shed, but has hair that is naturally charged with static electricity so it picks hair up.  All dogs are going to drool, or they will die, as they don’t have sweat glands.  Oh, and your dog still has a nice set of teeth with which to dine upon sofas and other furniture.

That’s just part of having a dog.  We all signed up for it when we got one.  We waved goodbye to leaving on a whim.  Now we either have to find someone to take care of our dog at home, or we have to bring our dog with us.

If we decide to bring our dog, then we need to know a little bit about dog etiquette.  Etiquette is a set of common societal behavior rules, not a dish you make with salmon.  Oh, and don’t get all postmodern on me and whine about societal rules.  Everybody subscribes to norms.  That’s why everybody that wants to “be different” all do so in the exact same way, by dying their hair some crazy color, wearing black, and getting some tattoos and piercings.  If it helps, don’t think of it as a set of societal rules, think of it as a way to care and be considerate of the feelings of your host.

Okay, let’s get going.

1. ASK.  ASK. ASK.  Ask if you can bring your dog over.  I know.  I know.  It is a shocking thought.  “But, I wouldn’t have to call if I were going to bring my child,” you say.  True, and children are a legitimate risk for peeing and pooping on the carpet, chewing on the sofa, and drooling on your guests clothing, and they vomit frequently.  However, and I want you to take this in the best way possible, your dog isn’t as important as a human child.  Sorry.  Oh, and at any point that you are over, and want to change anything about your dog’s situation (bring him inside, etc.) ask first.
2. BRING FOOD.  If you have been given the go ahead, make sure you bring food for your dog.  It is very embarrassing to have to take one of your host’s very expensive, expertly cooked filet mignon filets, and feed it to your famished canine.  Not that I would know.  (sheepish grin)
3.  PICK IT UP.  Do I really need to expound?  I didn’t think so.
4. PUT YOU DOG IN ITS PLACE.  “Can you keep the car running for Fluffy?  He doesn’t do very well without air conditioning.”  That is a direct quote folks.  Don’t be this person.  Your dog will be fine breathing in fresh air, even if has never done so before.
5. BE GRATEFUL.  At the end of your stay, say thank you, and say it often.  Hosting is great joy, but it is also a lot of work, and little things like hosting a dog as well, can be stressful to your host.  So say thank you, and be specific.  Say thank you for them letting you bring your dog.  Not everybody would.
6.  ***BE PENITENT.  That means, if your dog did any of the things we know a dog can do, say you are sorry.  Don’t be prideful, and say something stupid like, “You really shouldn’t have carpet.  Stained concrete is so much easier to clean up.  You should think about that next time.”  Or, “Well, you shouldn’t have paid that much for that rug.”  Say it with me now.  I.  AM.  SORRY.

***only applicable if you dog makes a no-no of some sort.

That’s the Dog Etiquette quick list for the day.  Next time I will write about the etiquette for hosting a pet.  Have a great day, and remember, ask!

Susan Wright DMV writes for the invisible dog fence experts at dogfencediy and is master to Saint a gorgeous hound who loves walks, treats and travel.

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From my experience I have come to realize that my family (myself included) needs to exhibit self control when being tempted to buy souvenirs of the biological kind. You know the story. You & the family go to the beach and come back with a couple of hermit crabs only to find out when you get home that these little fellas require more care than the vendor led on and if they take a days-long nap and give off an odoriferous aroma, something is terribly wrong. Our story does not pertain to hermit crabs but two cute little turtles called “Red Ear Sliders”. They were being touted by a beach vender as a low maintenance pet that won’t get any bigger than it’s habitat, did not need a filter for it’s habitat as fish do and eat just a few pellets of turtle food every day. Now these turtles were the size of a quarter and were absolutely adorable, as most things are in miniature. Of course, the kids were promising that THEY would be the ones to take care of these creatures and so we decided to get one turtle for each child.

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If you are considering bringing a Beagle pup into your family, you may want to know more about Beagle potty training, how to stop a dog whining, and some puppy feeding tips.  Beagles are even-tempered and can make great family pets.  Keep in mind that it make take a while for your Beagle puppy to feel comfortable in its new home and to “learn the ropes.”  Starting your puppy off with proper Beagle training can ease the transition for both you and your dog.

The How, What, and When of Puppy Feeding

Whether your puppy is a Beagle or other breed, bear in mind the following:
•    Any changes to your puppy’s diet should be made slowly.  If at all possible, use the same kind of food it was eating at the breeder or pet store and then slowly mix it in with whatever food you decide to give it.  This will help your puppy’s little belly make the adjustment better.
•    Unless using a formula specially made for puppies, do not give your dog milk.  Dogs do not have the proper enzymes in their digestive track to properly break down cow’s milk.
•    Water is essential not only for your dog’s digestive process, but for their overall health as well.  Make sure they have fresh water available to drink.
For additional information, check out this guide: feed a puppy

Other Beagle Training Tips

Many people find that their Beagle dog is hard to train.  Beagles can be very determined and it can be hard to get them to pay attention to training and instructions.  Another common issue with Beagle dog training is that they may get preoccupied with scents, and may feel the need to follow the scent to its source.  Treats are sometimes a good way for training Beagle.  Dog training to stop whining can help with adult or puppy Beagles who whine or howl frequently.

For more information on how to stop a whining dog and Beagle training, check out these training guides:
beagle training
How to stop a dog whining