A rodent infestation at home is at least a nuisance, but in the worst case it is a health hazard. Killing a rodent can never be completely human, but you can still take steps to cause it as little pain as possible. You must also consider issues related to legality, so you must check the laws and regulations of your country or municipality before proceeding and implementing the advice in this tutorial. Definitions of human and cruel can vary, but there are some general principles you need to keep in mind. If you have caught a live rodent and need to eliminate it, consider implementing the following non-cruel options. However, these home methods are always less recommended than taking your pet to your local vet, who has the training and experience you can't.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: By CO2 Asphyxiation
Step 1. Get information about this method
CO2 asphyxiation is the only method approved in the US by the American Veterinary Medical Association, which uses common materials found in the home. These guidelines are meant for veterinarians and not ordinary people, so consider whether you are qualified to apply them without causing undue pain or suffering for the rodent.
- It is neither easy nor intuitive, but if done well it is the most humane technique.
- As a general rule, remember that it would be best to take the rodent to the vet.
Step 2. Before you begin, prepare the materials
This method involves mixing baking soda with white vinegar to create the gas that suffocates the rodent. In addition to these two products, you must prepare a resealable plastic container, a resealable plastic bag, a tube to connect the two together and a separate container to mix the two elements, such as a glass or a jug.
- You will need to get some zip ties, laces and cloths to secure the different containers.
- The plastic container will be the rodent's euthanasia chamber.
- The plastic bag is the CO2 chamber in which the gas is produced.
Step 3. Prepare the CO2 chamber
Put the baking soda in the bottom of the bag and put the separate container with the vinegar inside, but don't pour it. When the two elements are later combined, the reaction will produce carbon dioxide (CO2), which will prevent the rodent from breathing.
- The proportion of vinegar and baking soda varies based on the size of the container you are using.
- Getting the right concentration of CO2 is the crucial aspect of this method, to ensure that it is not cruel. You should create a concentration of 30% - 40% CO2 so that the rodent loses consciousness.
Step 4. Prepare the euthanasia chamber
Taking great care when handling the rodent, place it in the airtight plastic container. Those like Tupperware work fine. If you wish, you can add some leisure materials to make the environment more familiar and perhaps put the rodent a little more at ease.
Step 5. Connect the two containers with the tube
Secure the tube to the top of the bag by tying it with a rubber band or string and then put the other end into the plastic container with the rodent. Wrap the tube with a cloth or towel where it enters the container to prevent gas from escaping.
Step 6. Slowly pour the vinegar over the baking soda
Once you have made sure that the two containers are well connected together through the tube and that there is no air leakage, start carefully pouring the white vinegar over the baking soda, to create the CO2 that will flow through. the tube to the plastic container. Pour in about half of the vinegar and then observe the rodent. At this point he should quickly pass out and die. When you notice that he doesn't respond, pour in the remaining vinegar.
Gradual exposure to carbon dioxide, such as that described in this section, is less likely to cause pain
Method 2 of 5: With a Dry Headshot
Attention! If you're not sure if you can kill the rodent with one shot, seriously consider using another method
Step 1. Know your goal
The purpose of this method is to destroy the rodent's brain with a quick, powerful blow to the head using a hammer or other blunt blunt object. It can be a very scary and / or emotionally demanding method. If in doubt about the ability to kill the rodent with one shot, consider other options seriously, as you run the risk of causing more pain and suffering if you don't do it correctly.
Step 2. Know what you don't have to do
Some popular methods, such as putting the rodent in a bag and hitting it against a wall or stamping it with your feet at random, are not human at all and can cause a long, slow agony.
Step 3. If you want to proceed with this option, make sure that the rodent cannot move
You too want to make sure you kill him with one clean blow. An effective way is to confine the rodent to the corner of a sturdy sack or bag before hitting it.
The human aspect of this technique depends exclusively on the strength and precision with which you hit the animal
Method 3 of 5: Using Spring Traps
Step 1. Get some sturdy, reusable spring traps
These traps (also called snap traps) are still considered the least cruel among the different models on the market, certainly much less than the glue ones, for example. In fact, spring traps cause pain to the rodents that are caught, but should kill them very quickly, as the mechanism and design of the trap itself are more likely to allow rapid death.
Step 2. Set up the traditional spring trap
To install it you must place the baits in the area set up for this purpose, making sure that the rest of the mechanism is clean. This increases the likelihood that, once triggered, the trap will close completely and the rodent will be killed rather than just injured. Next, set the trap perpendicular to a wall with the bait closest to the wall.
- The rodent must find a clear path to reach the trap.
- The bait must be changed regularly.
Step 3. Check the trap regularly
You should examine it every morning and be ready to eliminate any dead rodents immediately. Remove them from the trap carefully, placing them in a plastic bag and placing that bag in a second bag, then throw it away in a safe container. Always use gloves when performing these tasks and, if possible, use a household disinfectant to clean the trap.
If you find an injured but still alive rodent, you should try to kill it as quickly and humanly as possible
Method 4 of 5: Firing a Bullet
Attention! This method must only be implemented by someone authorized and skilled in using firearms, but even in this case the chances that a shot can instantly kill a rodent are very minimal
Step 1. Use a small-caliber, low-powered pistol or air rifle
If it is more powerful, you will have to manage a greater recoil and there is the possibility that the bullet will pass through the animal and become a danger. Furthermore, the greater the power of the weapon, the more risks there are of spreading organic material from the mouse, causing a bigger mess and increasing health hazards. Low-powered air rifles are considered the most suitable for this purpose.
Step 2. Make sure the rodent is in a prominent position
If it moves and runs constantly you may have trouble catching it; however, it is not a difficult animal to corner. If he is frightened and crouched in a den, shooting him with an air pistol can be an effective and quick way to kill him.
This method should only be implemented in an emergency. Most of the time it is preferable to use normal traps to capture the animal
Step 3. Make sure the environment you want to shoot in is safe
If you opt for this solution, you must be sure that you are in a suitable environment for this purpose. If the bullet passes through the animal's head, it can hit people or objects along its path. You must therefore make absolutely sure that the area is clear of obstacles before shooting.
Step 4. Shoot him in the head
A blow to the head should instantly kill the rodent. If you miss your aim, quickly reload your weapon and shoot again making sure you hit him in the head and put an end to his suffering. You should only use this method if you are sure you can kill it quickly, otherwise it is far from being a non-cruel technique.
However, keep in mind that even a successful hit is bloody and painful
Step 5. Respect all safety measures if you use a firearm
If not handled properly, the gun can be deadly. This is also true for air rifles. Both of these weapons should never be aimed at people. If you are unsure how to use a gun safely, follow another method to humanely kill the rodent.
It is essential to know all the regulations and laws of your country regarding the use of weapons before considering using them against a rodent
Method 5 of 5: Considerations Before Proceeding
Step 1. Protect yourself
Rodents, however small, are wild animals and can bite if they feel threatened. In addition, they can transmit many diseases. Wear sturdy gloves and long-sleeved clothing if you have to touch them, although you should try to avoid contact as much as possible by using sealable bags to contain them.
Step 2. Evaluate the available non-lethal solutions
Non-fatal traps are very popular among those who do not want to kill rodents, as they offer the possibility of releasing them into the wild. Also consider eliminating the cause of the infestation; in fact, the presence of rodents may be due to an environment rich in food residues, where these animals love to live.
- If you plan on using one of these non-lethal traps, be aware that the survival rate for animals that are relocated elsewhere is very low, so be aware that releasing them into a new environment will often mean their death.
- Eliminating the causes of infestation is the only way to keep mice away for a long time.
Step 3. Consider the condition of the rodent
If the animal is injured, releasing it into the wild can mean a slower and more painful death than a quick euthanasia method. While it might be nasty, it would be more humane to kill him, if you can and can do it.
Step 4. Try to stress the animal as little as possible
If he gets agitated, he starts fighting, trying to escape, or attacking you. Minimize unnecessary stimuli, try to handle the rodent gently, don't point bright lights at him, and don't make violent noises.
Advice
- Use rubber gloves when handling the rodent, as they are sturdy and easy to wash.
- If you bury a dead mouse, put it in a place where neighborhood pets are unlikely to dig.
Warnings
- Handling and approaching rodents is dangerous and can expose you to serious diseases. Make sure you proceed with caution and take all available security measures. Wash any area of the body that has come into contact with these animals.
- Some of the methods described in this tutorial may be illegal in the country where you live. Check the laws and regulations regarding animal abuse if you have any doubts.
- If you get bitten or scratched, contact a medical center right away.
