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During the summer months, pests tend to infiltrate homes in search of tasty morsels and safe places to build nests. During the winter months, they flock to warm areas in hopes of surviving frigid temperatures. No matter the season, pests want to be inside your home. And no matter the season, that’s exactly where you don’t want pests to be.
You may be diligent about cleaning up crumbs and caulking cracks, but pests are pesky for a reason: they keep coming back. Unfortunately, the only sure way to eliminate them is by trapping them in your home and disposing of them in some way. Rather than calling an exterminator right away, you can try to eliminate those unwanted house guests yourself with a bait station. A bait station is a manufactured, tamper-proof trap or holding station where you strategically place bait in an attempt to lure pests and dispose of them.
We’ve researched the various ways to fight off invasive pests, and we’ve selected the top bait station for your consideration.
Rodents, vermin, ants, cockroaches ... you want to keep them out of your home. Each type of pest requires a specific type of trap or bait. It’s best to research the pest in question before purchasing a bait station, so you know how to prepare for their extermination from your home.
All four-legged pests with scaly tails can be caught using bait stations and traps. Some bait station manufacturers recommended specific bait packages for you to purchase. In other cases, you can insert your own kind of bait. It’s best to use peanut butter, cheese, or an edible bait you know the creature is attracted to. For instance, if your unwanted guests have been chewing holes in the dog food bag, place a few kibbles in the trap — you already know they like kibbles.
If you’d like to permanently eliminate the creatures — not just catch and release them — then a type of rat poison can be placed directly in the trap. The poison will lure in the rodents, and after they consume it, it will kill them. You are just left with the job of disposing of the remains, which will be either in the trap or nearby.
An easy way to attract ants is with sugar — if you want to put the ants outside afterward and not kill them, that is. If you’re looking to eliminate an ant colony in your home, it’s recommended to use ant poison. You can stash these pre-made poison packets in areas the ants frequent. The ants will be attracted to the poison. Once they eat it, they will die. You can then dispose of the entire poison packet.
Perhaps the most nefarious pest of them all, the cockroach, is the most difficult to eradicate. A strong insecticide is required to eliminate cockroaches. Insecticide bait comes in large bags and must be used inside of a cockroach bait station. When using bait stations to eliminate a cockroach infestation, you must be thorough when placing them. The stations should span a wide area and be checked often. Bear in mind that cockroaches can live in the walls and drains of a home. Place stations in crevices and corners to lure them out of hiding.
Some bait stations have disclaimers on them stating they must be kept away from pets and children. Others are manufactured to be pet-safe and child-safe. Be sure you are aware of the toxicity of the bait you’re using and whether or not the bait station is tamper-proof.
Review the list of active ingredients, and know what chemicals you are handling. It’s best to wear plastic gloves when filling and emptying bait stations. Keep the replacement bait for your bait stations stored in a place where pets and children can’t reach it.
If pests are invading your home, there is most likely a reason. Check the outside of your home for any burrowing spaces or holes in the foundation where pests could get in. If you have an attached garage, it’s possible there is an issue in the space between the house and garage where pests can enter.
Usually mice and rodents are attracted to foodstuffs. That could be crumbs, residues, or garbage debris. Clean up any accessible food, and place bags that could be chewed through into plastic containers. The less food there is available for pests, the more likely they will look elsewhere for nourishment.
The cost of a bait station depends on several factors: what type of pest it attracts, what type of lure or bait is required, and if bait is included. Ant poison is on the lower end of the price spectrum, ranging from $10 to $20. Ant poison contains both the bait station and the bait.
Bait stations for cockroaches and rats are more expensive. A 60-count bag of cockroach insecticide ranges from $40 to $50, and a two-pack bait station costs $30, putting the total cost near $70 to $80. Be aware of whether or not the bait is included before purchasing.
It may be the first time you’ve encountered unwanted visitors in your home, or it may be your last-ditch effort before you call an exterminator. Either way, consider these helpful tips before using any type of pest bait station.
Plan before you purchase. Know where you would like to place your bait stations and how many you need, so you can buy the correct amount.
Don’t handle any materials you don’t feel comfortable handling. Wear plastic gloves when touching any bait or disposing of any pest. Research chemicals or active ingredients you aren’t knowledgeable about.
If you run out of bait, consider some products you already have in your home. Cheese, peanut butter, and even chocolate can be used to lure pests.
Q. How long do I need to use bait stations before I see results?
A. A bait station will begin attracting pests immediately. Depending on the amount of pests you have in your home, you could catch one within an hour of setting the trap. In some cases, it may take longer.
Q. Can I put two different baits in one bait station?
A. You can, but it’s not recommended. Because some pests are attracted to bait and others are repelled by the same bait, you could be making your traps ineffective by using two baits. Often, you can purchase bait stations in packs of two or four. Use one bait station per bait.
Q. Are bait stations reusable?
A. Yes, for a time. After several uses, it’s possible you may need to throw away an overused bait station. There may be pest remains or too much leftover bait residue for it to be effective anymore. It’s also possible to soak bait stations in hot water to disinfect and clean them.
