Rucus Replies : pest control

Ant Problem

More Ants

Electronic devices

Rats & Mice








Ant Problem



Dear Rucus,


I have a problem with ants getting into my ferrets' food and water bowls. I don't want to use any chemicals which could harm my little carpet sharks. Do you have any ideas?

Love from Fe & Es.




Dear Fe & Es,

Ant populations seem to be very large this year. We have never had a problem with them at our house until now, so, besides suggesting that you get a pet ant-eater, I will tell you how my mum deals with them. Talcum Powder! She sprinkles it on the floor before putting the food and water bowls down, along the window sills and skirting boards and anywhere else those pesky ants may make an entry. When she hangs the laundry out on the hoist, she even puts it on her feet and ankles to stop them crawling up her legs. I've heard that they breed a different type of ant around some of the far-northern suburbs and they may be a bit more resistant to this deterrent, but it works for the rest of us. This method also has the added bonus of using up those tins of talc that you get for your birthdays and making your house smell nice at the same time.

Love & Sweet-smelling Dooks from Rucus.







More Ants



Dear Rucus,


We have the same problem at our house with ants - boy do I hate having to share my food and water bowls with them, My Mum used to use talcum powder too, but she has found something that she thinks works even better. PEPPERMINT ESSENCE. She just wipes some, mixed with water, on the floor around our bowls and around the legs of the tables and things, but you could probably add it to water and spray it everywhere the ants go and it will do the job. It smells nice too but it makes me think of chocolate.


Chocolate dreams & ant free bowls to all.
Braveheart.







Electronic Devices



Dear Rucus,



Question: Is an electronic pest control device harmful to ferrets?
Many thanks
Gerry & the Gang.


Dear Gerry & The Gang,

An electronic pest control device uses ultrasonic waves in the air and electromagnetic pulses through the electrical wiring, both at the same time, and therefore repels cockroaches and spiders as well as rats & mice.

The manufacturer claims that it will not bother humans or non-rodent pets. Although I don't know of any ferret owners in Australia who use one, I have heard from ferret owners in the United States who have used it without any sign that the ferrets are aware it is in place. It sounds like a safe, environmentally friendly way to drive your unwanted pests to your neighbours place!


Dooks from Rucus.


P.S. I have just found out that our President has one in her house and my furry friends living there didn't even know!!





Rats & Mice



Dear Rucus,



A lot of our neighbours have birds and because of that there are a lot of rats & mice in the area. No self respecting rat would seriously consider coming into our yard while we are there, but, just in case, is there a safe way for our mum to get rid of them?
Sky Pilot, Padfoot & Noogie.



Dear Sky Pilot, Padfoot & Noogie,


I believe your yard is safe as long as you are all there; if you are anything like Basil & Monty, a rat wouldn't stand a chance and that is a very good thing because there really is no safe way to use rat poison around us ferrets. Even more dangerous than rat poison itself, is a rat or mouse which has already eaten rat poison and if any of us caught one and, heaven forbid, felt the need to eat it we would die even more quickly than if we just ate the rat poison. So, unless your mum has the old fashioned rat/mouse traps or even one of those new environmentally friendly rat traps which doesn't kill the rat, let's just hope they all stay in the neighbours yards.

Dooks & Rat Free Yard from Rucus.