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Parks Canada has made a plea to the public to stop using pest control poisons in Jasper.
Parks monitoring has indicated that pest control poisons are being used in both business and residential areas of the townsite.
But poison of any kind is illegal in national parks and cannot be used to injure or kill wildlife - including to control mice - under any circumstances.
鈥淯sing poison could have harmful, unintended consequences for wildlife and your pets,鈥� said Parks spokesman Steve Young.
Secondary poisoning happens when non-target animals eat a poisoned mouse.
Young said foxes, bears, hawks, owls, magpies, ravens, crows, and even your cats and dogs, are very susceptible to secondary poisoning - and the mortality rate is high.
But rodents like deer mice can carry the potentially fatal hantavirus and should not be inside homes or businesses.
So what are the safe ways to kill deer mice without resorting to toxic chemicals?
Parks Canada has shared its tips for deer mice management below.
Use of poison is also not permitted in the remainder of Jasper National Park, including backcountry campgrounds, Parks Canada cabins, and outlying commercial accommodations and operations.
鈥淏y not using pest control poisons, you are contributing to the protection of wildlife and pets in Jasper,鈥� said Young.
Proper deer mice management
Deer mice can carry hantavirus and should not be inside your house or business. That is why there are times when it is necessary to euthanize them.聽聽
Deer mice must be killed humanely, and without endangering other wildlife.
Prevention
Seal all holes - Preventing entry to buildings is the best prevention. This includes holes in walls, gaps below doors, dryer vents, and any opening as big as a dime.
Clean up
Never leave food out overnight. This includes pet food. Store food in mouse-proof containers.
Make your yard unfriendly to mice - Keep grass short, remove hiding places such as stacks of firewood, and take down bird feeders.
Be consistent - These methods must be maintained to be effective.
Methods of Euthanasia
Only kill deer mice inside your house. Never use traps outdoors.
Acceptable
鈥� Snap traps
鈥� Electronic kill traps
Follow directions closely on these traps for the most effective use of these devices.
Do not use
鈥� Poison of any kind - This includes poison for rodents, pigeons, or anything else. If another wild animal or your pet ate a poisoned mouse, it would also be poisoned.
鈥� Sticky paper or board traps - These traps are cruel and inhumane and result in slow death by starvation or dehydration.
鈥� Rat traps - These are too large and can kill larger animals.
Proper Disposal of Poison
Rodent poison that is currently in your possession should be taken to the Resource Conservation office (compound) for proper disposal. Do NOT put poison in household garbage. Use extreme caution when handling poison, whether in its original packaging or not.
For more information, call Parks Canada at 780-852-6179 or 780-883-0003. If residents or business/facility operators have questions or concerns about pest control and related health concerns,
contact the Alberta Health Services Environmental Public Health office in Jasper at 780-852-4759.
