In the colder months it is common for furry critters to move into our roof and wall cavities.
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These can include non-native rats and mice as well as our native marsupial mice (Antechinus) and possums, or even lizards.
Naturally, we want to remove or stop whoever makes the scuttling noises that keep us awake at night, or knocks things over in the shed, leaving behind little black sultana-like gifts.
A common remedy is to reach for a poison, such as a rodenticide (rat/mouse bait) that comes in the form of loose pellets or a small solid block.
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These can be very effective in reducing rodent numbers, but please consider that all animals eating these baits will go through prolonged, excruciating pain before they die.
Many people who use the baits around their household are unaware that as well as killing the intended rats/mice, they can kill pets and wildlife - either by directly eating it (primary poisoning) or by eating an animal killed by the bait (secondary poisoning).
Every winter, wildlife rescue groups see the consequences of these accidental poisonings - most often possums and owls.
Although some recover, with dedicated intensive care, time and cost, but many do not.
If wildlife comes into care in time, treatment can be successful but is often very stressful for them, as they need to be kept in captivity for up to two months and then fight to regain their lost territory when released.
Wildlife care groups believe prevention is better than cure - making your home rodent-proof is a far more humane way of dealing with non-native rats/mice.
You might first try removing available food sources or blocking their entry points into your house.
If that doesn't work, you might try using live traps or traps that kill the rat/mouse quickly (again, consider placement and consider wildlife).
Please only use rodenticides as a last resort.
If you feel you must use bait, producers of rodenticide have created small black boxes that are designed so that only animals of rodent size can access the bait, thus reducing the risk to other animals.
You can make your own 'bait station' by using narrow 65 mm polypipe that restricts access by wildlife (see diagram).
If you do choose to use rodenticides, please investigate the best way to minimise poisoning our precious wildlife.
Wrap and dispose of any dead rat/mice so that wildlife do not eat them and die slowly from secondary poisoning.
Google the "WIRES wildlife and pesticides" factsheet, which provides additional information about poisons and wildlife.
So, on behalf of wildlife like Biggles, a possum who was orphaned when his mum died from rodenticide poisoning, please consider the use of these products carefully. More often than not, no amount of care can reverse the process once the damage is started.
If you come across any wildlife that appears to be sick with poisoning effects - such as weakness and bleeding - please call Wildcare on 62991966.
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