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CNET
16-05-2025
- General
- CNET
This Humane Spray Is the Only Thing that Keeps Mice Out of My House
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. The best way to keep a rodent infestation at bay might surprise you. It certainly surprised me. David Watsky/CNET Mice roaming your home is never a good thing. As adorable as their twitchy noses and big ears may be, these little freeloaders are known to nibble on cords, snack on your pantry stash, and leave less-than-charming surprises on your counters and floors. If you've got a gang of whiskered invaders turning your home into their personal Airbnb, don't panic—I've discovered a magical, totally humane, non-toxic trick to evict them. A few years back when the mouse situation in my Brooklyn apartment hit "full-blown invasion" status, I tried everything from lockdown-level food storage to an army of traps. But guess what actually worked like a charm? A humble $18 peppermint spray. That's right—just a few spritzes of this minty miracle, and my home has been a rodent-free zone for over a year. No squeaks, no mess, no drama. Just minty fresh peace. For a detailed breakdown, here are the various methods I used for getting rid of mice, ranked from worst to first. The best and worst ways to get rid of mice 5. Tomcat Bait Station Poison bait stations were the least effective method I tried. Tomcat Poison bait traps represented my third attempt. These devices lure mice in with an enticing smell and offer a block of green, edible bait that's laced with poison. These didn't work at all. I never found so much as a nibble taken from the bait block. And the more I thought about it, these posed a far crueler fate for my unwanted intruders than even snap traps. They also mean dead and decaying mice scattered about your home. Cost: $5 on Amazon. $5 on Amazon. Grade: F. Read more: Keep Bugs Out of Your Kitchen With These Common Houseplants 4. Starvation My first attempt was to remove temptation by overcleaning the kitchen. It worked to some degree, but this infestation required greater firepower. Sarah Tew/CNET My first approach was to starve the mice out by sealing up food as best I could and overcleaning the kitchen after every trip. It worked to a degree and I noticed fewer encounters, but my kitchen doubles as a busy meal-kit testing site; try as I might to keep food bits and odors from lingering for more than a few minutes, there's only so much one can do. Cost: None. None. Grade: C-plus. 3. Humane traps I caught several mice with these humane traps but not enough to stem the tide coming from next door. David Watsky/CNET Next, I tried humane traps at the puppy-eyed request of my partner, a dyed-in-the-wool pacifist. These contraptions work by luring mice into the hull with food; when they enter, their weight triggers a door, trapping them inside. Then, it's on you to release the live mice, preferably far away so that they don't come back -- mice have a famously good sense of smell and direction -- and hope they become someone else's problem. I set two, and they worked as advertised. I caught a mouse every few nights but it did little to dissuade others from following in their footsteps. Plus, having to relocate a mouse five blocks away every other morning got old fast. Cost: $10 (two-pack) on Amazon $10 (two-pack) on Grade: B-minus. 2. Classic snap traps Snap traps captured a lot of mice but did nothing to keep more from following behind. David Watsky/CNET Snap traps were the most efficient at stopping the parade of hungry freeloaders. Unlike the trapdoor traps, these mousetraps do kill the mice but they do so with merciful efficiency. The snap traps worked well and I caught more mice than I can count, but still more came. And these devices posed a danger to my curious terrier, so they could only really be used safely up high on the counter. Cost: $9 (6-pack) on Amazon $9 (6-pack) on Grade: B. 1. Mighty Mint peppermint spray I sprayed my kitchen's problem areas with Mighty Mint and haven't seen signs of mice for a month. That's $18 well spent. David Watsky/CNET Having exhausted most of my options short of an expensive appointment with an exterminator, I resorted to a 16-ounce bottle of peppermint spray for $20 on Amazon. (It's also available at Target for $10.) As directed, I sprayed the white peppermint solution near my kitchen baseboards, on the counter behind my toaster oven and in the crevice behind my wall oven. I reapplied the spray every couple of days. You can also use this spray in basements, attics, the engine of your car or any other spots you might not want rodents hanging out. The peppermint smell was noticeable for the first few hours, but I found it pleasant. The spray went on clear, and there was no damage to the wood floors or marble countertops where I applied it. Two weeks later (as of when I'm writing this) and I've seen no droppings or signs of mice at all -- the first time I can say that in months. To be sure it's working, I left two baited snap traps to gauge whether or not mice have been coming around. Neither one has been triggered. Cost: $19 on Amazon $19 on Grade: A. Peppermint spray is safe to use around pets; a big selling point in this house. David Watsky/CNET Is peppermint rodent spray safe to use around pets and children? Mighty Mint peppermint spray is made from natural ingredients and is safe to use around dogs and children. But you'll want to avoid getting in or near your eyes since peppermint oil can cause burning. It also contains soap, so it's not safe to ingest. How does peppermint spray repel rodents? Mice and other rodents hate the smell of peppermint. (Hard to believe, I know.) The spray contains a mix of peppermint oil (4%), water, glycerin, polyglycerol oleate and soap. What are the uses for peppermint spray? Peppermint spray is used to repel rodents from indoor spaces like mice and rats. It's also used to repel insects including mosquitoes, spiders, aphids and ants. It can be used in gardens and sprayed on plants to deter invasive pests and vermin. Could I make my own peppermint spray? You could easily make your own bottle of spray by adding two teaspoons of peppermint oil for every cup of water instead of buying the solution from Target or Amazon. More pest control tips:
CNET
14-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Wondering How to Keep Out Mice? We Asked an Expert for Tips
Your home security camera may be great at keeping away bad actors who worry about it, but what about those who don't? We're talking about mice. It's spring and that means rodents are out and about foraging, and once you have a rodent problem, dealing with it can become a real pain quickly. To learn the best ways to keep mice and other rodents from taking up residence behind the fridge or under the stove and radiators, we asked an expert on the matter. Laura Dillard is the head rodent research director at Tomcat, where she specializes in pest management and prevention. While Tomcat is best known for its traps and poisons, Dillard has tips for keeping them out in the first place. "Rodents are especially active in winter as they search for food, water and warmth to survive the colder months," she said. "Preventing an infestation requires vigilance and preparation to keep these pests at bay." Use all-natural rodent deterrents Peppermint oil is a known deterrent of rodents. Alina Bradford/CNET There are a handful of all-natural substances that can be set out in place of traditional traps. CNET Home and Kitchen Editor David Watsky found peppermint spray to be a particularly effective way to keep rodents from taking up residence in the home. "Peppermint oil is one of the most popular options," Dillard said, though some people go so far as to put predator urine from animals like foxes or coyotes around their homes. This often scares rodents away so that they don't end up as a bigger animal's dinner. Seal entry points with steelRodents can squeeze through openings of all shapes and sizes, even if they're as small as a quarter inch in diameter. "Inspect your home's exterior, including around pipes, vents and foundation cracks," Dillard said. "Seal gaps with materials like steel wool combined with caulk or metal flashing to prevent chewing. Pay special attention to areas around doors and windows." One approach is to add weather stripping, which blocks common entryways from animal trespassing. Products like expanding foam barrier get the job done and aren't difficult to use and install. Eliminate food sources Consider a robot vacuum to keep crumbs from piling up and attracting mice. Roomba It's always a good time to cook and bake our favorite comfort foods. Unfortunately, these dishes, along with leftover crumbs, pet food, bird seed and improperly stored pantry items can attract rodents that are searching for a feast. "Store all food in tightly sealed containers made of glass, meta or heavy duty plastic," Dillard said. "Clean up spills promptly and take out trash regularly. Avoid leaving pet food or water bowls out overnight. And if you feed birds, place feeders far from your home and clean up any spilled seed." Read more: Best Cordless Vacuums, Tested by CNET Labs Remove clutter Giving rodents piles of clutter to hide in and around will make your home an attractive place for them to settle. Alina Bradford/CNET There is a reason why most homeowners on shows like Hoarders deal with mice and rat infestations. Rodents love to seek out nesting materials like paper, fabric and insulation to burrow and keep warm. "Keep storage areas organized and avoid leaving piles of newspapers, cardboard or clothing in basements and attics," Dillard said. "Outdoors, trim vegetation near your home, remove debris piles and store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground." Read more: These Kitchen Organizers Will Give You Miles of Extra Counter Space Monitor for signs of activity Monitor for signs of mice, including claw marks and droppings. Artisteer/Getty Images Early detection can often prevent an entire infestation, but you have to know exactly what you're looking for. "Look for droppings, gnaw marks or sounds of scratching in walls or ceilings," Dillard said. "Identifying early signs can help you act quickly." Know when it's time for traps Snap traps are good for killing mice, but they don't do much to stop more from coming after. David Watsky/CNET If prevention techniques have failed, there are a variety of baits and traps to lure rodents into an enclosure and/or mechanism that kills them. Though standard mouse traps and glues continue to exist, they aren't the most humane. As an alternative, live catch traps exist to offer no-kill options as a thoughtful solution for managing rodents without harm. "These traps are designed to capture rodents safely so they can be released back into the wild," Dillard said. That said, they must be used effectively. Here are her most helpful recommendations to get the most bang for your buck. Tips for setting rodent traps Knowing how and where to set traps will help boost their efficacy. David Watsky/CNET Selecting the right trap: "Choose a live-catch trap that matches the size of the rodent you're targeting. Brands offer a range of humane trap sizes that work for mice, rats and other small rodents. Tomcat offers both single and multicatch live-trap options, but remember to check traps twice daily to ensure trapped mice are not prohibited from regular food and water consumption." Proper placement: "Rodents typically travel along walls, baseboards and other edges of rooms. Place traps along these pathways and near areas where you've noticed droppings, gnaw marks or nests." Baiting the trap: "Use high-protein, aromatic bait like peanut butter, sunflower seeds or small pieces of fruit to attract rodents into the trap. Be sure not to over bait, as rodents might take food without triggering the trap." Releasing the rodent: "When releasing a captured rodent, take it to a remote location, far from your home to prevent it from returning. Choose a natural area like a wooded or grassy field where the rodent will have access to food, water and shelter. Consider wearing gloves when handling the trap to avoid direct contact with the rodent." Effectiveness and considerations: "Live-catch traps can be effective, however they may require more effort than other methods since traps must be checked frequently to ensure the rodent isn't left for too long. Always clean and sanitize the traps after each use." By combining trapping with preventative measures, homeowners stand the best chance of eliminating the risk of a vermin invasion. Take both methods into consideration and rodents may very well seek comfort in a lost mitten and not within the walls of your home.
San Francisco Chronicle
21-04-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco could have a ban on glue traps. Opponents say they are cruel and harm wildlife
Last weekend, a mother and her teenage children came into a wildlife center in San Francisco, distraught. An exterminator had suggested they use glue traps to deal with a rodent problem, but they weren't prepared for what they would find: three tiny baby rats attached to the glue, struggling, screaming and very much alive. 'I will never do that again,' the woman told Irina Ozernoy, a volunteer at Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue, where the baby rats are now recovering. Ozernoy said it's common for people to show up at the center with rats or mice stuck in glue traps: Despite intending to catch the creatures, they didn't realize how much suffering was involved. 'They're absolutely egregious,' Ozernoy said of the traps. 'It's animal cruelty at its height.' San Francisco Animal Care and Welfare Commission, of which Ozernoy is a member, is now working on a proposal for a citywide ban on the traps, preferably for both sales and use, though the latter would be hard to monitor. Glue traps are inexpensive and can be useful. However, the commission opposes them because they don't immediately kill their intended target, instead subjecting them to a protracted death by starvation or thirst, and they often capture other wild animals unintentionally. Instead, the commissioners argue, preventative measures to keep rodents at bay are more effective and humane. 'Anything that gets caught on a glue trap suffers for days before it dies,' said Lila Talcott, founder of Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue. 'Many species will fight tooth and nail to get off the trap. Birds will pull out their own feathers and then be unable to fly. Lizards will lose limbs.' WildCare, a wildlife hospital in San Rafael, has treated 43 glue trap patients from San Francisco since 2017, including wild birds like California towhees and dark-eyed juncos along with pigeons and roof rats, said Alison Hermance, director of communications and marketing. In that same time period, it treated 155 additional animals found in glue traps elsewhere in the Bay Area — among them gopher snakes, skinks and scrub jays. Removing animals from the traps is a painstaking process involving mineral oil and Q-Tips, and often sedation, that shouldn't be tried at home, said Talcott. Ozernoy thinks it would be fitting for San Francisco to impose a ban, since the city is named after the patron saint of animals. West Hollywood banned glue trap sales in 2023, followed by Ojai (Ventura County). New Zealand and several European countries outlaw or restrict the use of glue traps. Last year, Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), introduced legislation for a national ban on the sale and use of glue traps. When it did not advance, the San Francisco Animal Care and Welfare Commission revisited the idea of a citywide ban, and members plan to present the proposal to the Board of Supervisors soon, Ozernoy said. The traps have brand names like Catchmaster, Stick-Em and Tomcat, often with images of live, curious rats or mice on the label. Some brands have instructions to throw the trap in the trash when the animals are caught, without mentioning that they might still be alive. If you don't plan to rescue them, experts say using a heavy object to kill the glue-stuck animals with blunt force trauma is most effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourages the use of glue traps, because rodents caught in them can spread disease through urine or feces. Even some animal rights activists prefer snap traps, because of their swift effectiveness. And pest management experts say that lethal traps don't ultimately solve rodent infestations unless people plug holes in buildings to prevent more rodents from entering, and keep food and trash out of reach. Luis Agurto Jr, CEO of Pestec, an integrated pest management company for San Francisco and several other Bay Area counties, said there's already an 'unwritten rule' not to use glue traps on city-owned properties. 'People don't want to come across it. It's very emotionally charged if you hear something suffering and squeaking,' especially in schools, Agurto said. San Francisco has had an integrated pest management strategy for almost three decades, meaning it focuses on minimizing the use of pesticides that can be harmful to the environment and people, said Alice Hur, senior policy and public affairs coordinator for the San Francisco Environment Department. The policy does not address the use of glue traps, but the city provides guidance on how to prevent pests from entering buildings, including during design and construction, Hur said. Agurto said that using durable building materials and sealing holes down to ¼ inch, especially around pipes, are important steps. He also pointed to new tools the state and city are working with, such as smart traps with sensors that can provide data on the location and size of rodent populations. His company recently received a state grant to demonstrate alternatives to rodenticides, including using rat contraceptives in two San Francisco neighborhoods. Agurto opposes a ban on glue traps because he said it would remove an inexpensive tool for those without control over more fundamental pest management strategies, such as residents of high-density housing. Bans can have unintended consequences. A recent state ban on a certain class of rodenticides in California called anticoagulants, for example, caused manufacturers to come up with new versions that do not have ready antidotes for wildlife that accidentally ingest the poisons or the rodents that eat them, Talcott said. Nonetheless, at the University of San Francisco, students are trying to convince staffers to stop using the traps, said Bella Niven, a USF law student specializing in animal law. 'Any student could stumble upon a glue trap with a mouse that is struggling in it on the way to class,' said Niven, who also supports a citywide ban. Niven said that people think of mice and rats as inferior but she pointed out they like to be tickled and can learn their own names. 'When they come into our human-built space,' she said, 'they're often seeking the warmth and safety that we do during the cold months.' Niven and other students met with university officials to express their concerns, and both the students and the university put up signs reminding people of best practices, such as not to leave out crumbs, said Kellie Samson, media relations specialist at the university, in an email. Samson pointed to the university's integrated pest management policy and said the university would follow the law if a ban were in place. But, she said, 'At this time, the university and its third-party pest control partner have not identified effective alternatives to glue or snap traps.'
The Independent
24-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Pet cloning soars in popularity in China as owners told they can defy death
When Liu Xing's beloved cat passed away after 15 years by her side, she couldn't bear the thought of life without him. Instead of saying goodbye to her pet forever, she turned to science. After investing nearly ¥140,000 (£14,941) in cloning her cat Tomcat, she welcomed a nearly identical version of her late pet, whom she named Little Tomcat. 'It was worth every penny,' she told The South China Morning Post. Liu Xing is far from alone. A growing number of pet owners in China are turning to cloning as a way to extend their bonds with their furry companions. Once an idea confined to the pages of science fiction, pet cloning is now an established business, fuelled by deep emotional attachments, advancing biotechnology, and a pet market that is expanding at an unprecedented rate. The rise of pet cloning in China is taking place alongside an unprecedented pet boom. As of last year, the country's urban pet supplies market reached a staggering ¥300.2bn (£32bn), marking a 7.5 per cent increase year-on-year, reported The Global Times. The number of urban pets climbed to 124 million and is expected to surge further, with the market predicted to hit ¥400bn (£42.6bn) by 2027, according to the China Pet Industry White Paper 2025. Despite government efforts to increase the country's fertility rate, pets now outnumber young children in China. In 2024, China officially had more pets than children under the age of four, according to a Goldman Sachs report cited by Xinhua News Agency. The report estimated that one in every eight urban residents in China now owns a pet, underscoring the country's changing demographics and lifestyle preferences. Liu Xiaoxia, deputy secretary-general of the Pet Industry Branch of the China Animal Agriculture Association, cited the changing nature of Chinese pastimes, spending patterns, demographic changes, and rise in disposable income in urban areas to account for the rise in the number of pets. 'Pets used to be kept for guarding homes and other practical purposes. Now, they're taking on more 'humanised' roles, valued for emotional interaction and companionship. Their deep integration into people's daily lives also led to an explosive growth in consumption,' Liu told The Global Times. Cloning a pet however, doesn't come cheap. One of the industry leaders, Sinogene, charges around $40,000 (£30,946) for a cat and $50,000 (£38,683) for a dog, according to a report in Nikkei Asia. Sinogene's website offers customers the change to 'get your friends [back]'. A section about dog cloning pledges to 'help you keep your canine companion's spirit alive'. The process involves taking a skin sample from the original pet, inserting its DNA into a donor egg, and implanting the embryo into a surrogate mother. The result: a genetically identical twin, born months – or even years – after the original pet has passed away. Despite the high cost, demand is growing. In recent years, discussions about pet cloning on Chinese social media have garnered over 460 million views, reflecting intense public curiosity and debate. Several companies now offer the service, and pet owners willing to pay the price often see cloning as the ultimate act of devotion. While cloning is sold as a scientific way to 'reunite' with a lost pet, the process is not without controversy. Animal rights activists have argued that surrogate mothers used in cloning undergo unnecessary suffering, calling the practice 'cruel' and unethical. Sinogene says its process 'preserves all the unique traits that make your dog irreplaceable, including temperament, intelligence, and physical appearance'. But many have questioned whether cloned pets, while genetically identical, truly carry the same personality and spirit as their predecessors. Huang Yu, the owner of China's first cloned cat, Garlic, experienced this firsthand. Despite DNA confirmation that the new Garlic was an exact genetic copy, his markings were slightly different – and more importantly, he didn't react to Huang the way the original Garlic did. 'The basic pattern of his coat is the same, but the distinctive patch of black fur on his chin is gone,' Huang admitted to Sixth Tone in 2019, adding that he had been a 'bit disappointed' when he saw the new Garlic for the first time. There have also been logistical mishaps. In one case, a cloning company accidentally produced an entire litter of cloned puppies instead of a single one. The owner, Liang Xuan, was left with multiple identical dogs – an unexpected, and expensive, surprise. 'Either it does not succeed, or there will be a whole litter,' Liang told SCMP, ending up adopting the entire litter. While some find comfort in the idea of a cloned companion, others continue to question whether a genetic copy can ever truly replace a beloved pet, whose personality and memories are uniquely shaped by experience. The debate over the morality and ethics behind cloning, its effectiveness, and the long-term consequences is far from settled.
Chicago Tribune
10-03-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Aurora St. Patrick's Parade, Irish flag-raising ceremony to be held Sunday
The city of Aurora will hold its St. Patrick's Parade and Irish flag-raising ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday in downtown Aurora. The event 'honoring the legacy of the parade's namesake and Aurora icon, the late Mr. Daniel D. Dolan' is set to be larger than ever, city officials said. Clayton Muhammad, chief communications and equity officer for the city of Aurora. said there will be 'more units this year in the parade than ever before.' 'This year, we have nearly 30 participants whereas last year, we had about 20,' he said. 'We have built up the parade and the excitement comes, and there is good energy. This is Aurora's newest parade.' Participation has increased over the past couple of years, Muhammad said, 'just based on awareness.' 'People are aware of it, and we started off the first year with the flag-raising and then the year before last, we did our first parade and then last year our second (parade),' he said. 'Immediately following last year's parade, we started getting emails or calls about people wanting to get in next year or saying they work downtown with their family and want to be a part of it,' he said. The parade, Muhammad said, is named in honor 'of what we call Aurora's great Irishman, Mr. Dan Dolan.' 'The proud Tomcat (from East Aurora High School) that he was, he literally changed the face of the city through his real estate business and was just a staunch supporter, and after he passed, we're happy to honor the Dolan family in honor of their father,' Muhammad said. A press release from the city notes that the parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Water Street and Downer Place, marching west to Stolp Avenue before reaching the main stage at the GAR Museum, 23 E. Downer Place. An Irish flag-raising ceremony will immediately follow, something that Muhammad said 'would kick off our series of cultural and national flag-raisings.' 'We have 16 of them this year,' he said of the flag-raisings, noting that at the one on Sunday the city will 'hand out the Emerald Excellence Awards to Aurora's Irish community members.' The celebration will also include a performance by the McNulty Irish Dancers, followed by the hoisting of the Irish flag by the Dolan family. 'Then, everybody spreads out throughout downtown Aurora where the bars and restaurants are anxiously awaiting the parade-goers to keep the party going,' Muhammad said with a laugh. 'The universal appeal to this – even though everyone isn't Irish – is the universal energy to kick off the new year. We're coming out of cold and people are energized and excited.'
