Getting Rid of Mice and Rats

Q: I’m having a problem with mice and rats coming up to my second-floor deck and eating all my plants. Any suggestions?

A: I think a few wooden snap traps are your best option. Get at least two rat-sized and two mouse-sized traps. The best bait I ever used is Cinnamon-Spice instant oatmeal. Mix a couple of tablespoons of cereal with just enough warm water to make it sticky and gummy. Use your fingers to press some of the glutinous stuff onto each trap trigger. Set them aside for the night to dry. Place each trap at the bottom of a wall or other access near your plants. It’s important to put the traps near a wall because that’s where rodents are most likely to run. Remove the bodies quickly. You should be rodent-free in a week or so.