Do Cats Keep Mice Away? Pros & Cons Of This DIY Pest Control Tactic

Maybe it’s our nostalgic childhood memories of watching Tom & Jerry that makes us question – do cats keep mice away?

As you start to hibernate in your cozy heated home with fall now here, so too will uninvited rats and mice. An unfortunate truth for many Canadians to bear, it’s no wonder why so many homeowners desperately stare at their pet cats for help.

According to data from Statista, in 2020, there were around 8.1 million cats living in Canadian households. Great news for chasing mice and rats away, right? Not necessarily.

These evasive little rodents are adept at sneaking through any crevice or breech in the outer perimeter of your property. Additionally, they have extra motivation to do so in Canadian sub-zero temperatures.

Mice and rat problems have plagued large metropolises for years. For instance, according to a 2017 study, Toronto is one of the most rodent infested cities in North America. There could be many reasons for the rise in rats and mice. However, we’re going to consider one in particular – a lack of outdoor cats.

The question is – should we reintroduce these nimble forces of nature to our local streets?

This Terminix Canada blog weighs up the pros and cons of this DIY pest control tactic with the aim of keeping pesky mice and rat populations under control.

Do Cats Keep Mice Away? The Pros Of Feline Street Enforcers.

The outdoor cat is a relic of a romanticized yesteryear, along with indoor smoking rooms, and Limp Bizkit’s popularity. What was once a staple in the family unit is considered a taboo in the modern household.

The worst of times for rats, was the best of times for cats‚ particularly felines with a penchant for pouncing on prey.

When our cats were more tiger than Tigger, it made the streets a mean place for rats and mice to survive. They had to make themselves scarce, as their natural predators lurked around corners, callously calculating until a vulnerable victim gave off their scent. It was certainly some kind of literary dystopia for the disease-ridden rodents, and a buffet-like utopia for their sleek, agile predators.

Now? We have overly pampered grown-up kittens with names like ‘Mr. Snuggle-Breath’, mortified at the first sign of a concrete jungle.

Just like cars, they don’t make cats like they used to. It’s no wonder we’re finding rats and mice everywhere we turn. Your great-grandpa’s cat named ‘Roosevelt’ is looking down in disgust.

Surely, revisiting the cat-like equivalent of the Wild West would put a stop to Canada’s rodent problems?

Do Cats Keep Mice Away? Assessing The Cons And Harsh Reality.

Okay, we may have made the outdoor cat life seem far more alluring than it actually is. It’s difficult not to look back at the old days with rose-tinted glasses. After all, without those days, how could Disney have made The Aristocats?

The outdoor lifestyle for cats is considered by experts to be as unhealthy as smoking is for humans. It may seem cool when you’re doing it, but not when it causes an endless list of maladies and lowers life expectancy down the line.

In reality, the rugged outdoors puts cats at an increased risk of infections, traumas, hypothermia, and myiasis (maggot infestation). While it’ll control mice and rat populations, what about salamanders, lizards, and songbirds? Cats aren’t only preying on unwanted neighbourhood pests.

We also can’t discount the truly unforgiving nature of, well, nature. Your crafty cat may be quite the hunter, but they also make an ideal meal for coyotes or hawks.

While yes, society may have taken away our fluffy friends’ badass image and street tough spirit, it was out of necessity‚ not malice or ignorance.

Leave Rodent Control To The Professionals At Terminix Canada

So it seems cats can no longer fully protect us from the mice and rats invading our homes. So who can help? A Terminix Canada mice exterminator or rat exterminator, that’s who. Since mice and rats live in dark, warm and secluded areas of your home, it’s notoriously difficult to get rid of mice and rats yourself. Save yourself the struggle and leave it to our professional rodent control team instead.

Backed by over 90 years of pest control experience, our team practices humane and environmentally friendly methods of rodent control and rodent prevention. Ultimately, we’ll make your neighbourhood safer than any cat could. Plus, we don’t stink like tuna or require a litter box!

To get residential rodent control services near you, visit our Branch Locator, find your nearest Terminix Canada branch, and give them a call for your free consultation.