How can mice be permanently eliminated from a cellar with potatoes? - briefly
Place raw potatoes treated with a rodenticide or a strong, non‑palatable toxin in key corners of the cellar, then seal all possible entry points. The potatoes attract the mice to consume the poison while the sealed openings prevent further infestations.
How can mice be permanently eliminated from a cellar with potatoes? - in detail
Potatoes can serve as a basis for a rodent‑control program when combined with specific tactics that deter, trap, and prevent re‑infestation in a cellar.
First, prepare the tubers. Cut potatoes into thick slices (about 1 cm) and soak them in a solution of water mixed with a few drops of dish‑soap and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The soap reduces the surface tension, allowing the liquid to coat the potato, while the pepper creates an aversive scent for mice.
Second, distribute the treated slices strategically:
- Place one slice near each known entry point (cracks, gaps, vent openings).
- Position additional slices along walls, shelving, and behind stored produce where mice travel.
- Space slices 30–45 cm apart to create a continuous barrier.
Third, supplement the potato bait with a mechanical trap. Use a snap‑trap or a live‑capture cage, positioning it adjacent to a potato slice. The scent and taste attract the rodent, increasing capture probability.
Fourth, seal potential re‑entry routes after the initial trapping phase. Apply steel wool, caulk, or expanding foam to gaps no larger than 6 mm. The potato bait should remain in place for 48–72 hours to ensure no survivors remain.
Fifth, maintain the environment:
- Keep the cellar dry; moisture accelerates potato decay and can attract insects.
- Store potatoes in sealed containers to prevent them from becoming a food source for any remaining rodents.
- Rotate the bait every week for the first month, then discontinue once no activity is observed.
By integrating chemically treated potatoes as an attractant with physical barriers, targeted trapping, and thorough sealing of entry points, the rodent population can be eliminated permanently from the cellar.