By Lizz Bottrell

Mice terrify me. Growing up on the farm, I saw and heard the little rodents quite a bit. And I know I’m not alone. Many families, especially those who live on farms have a story or two to share about their experience with mice.

The attendance of Bet’r Bait’s product launch at Montmartre Co-op Agro Centre & Convenience Store on Feb. 22 proves I’m not the only one concerned. Around two dozen people attended the launch and several even purchased Bet’r Bait and mouse traps to solve their own rodent problems.

Among those who purchased the product was Don Toth, Moosomin MLA, who congratulated the Englot and Shiplack families on their innovative product. “It’s no surprise to me that a couple families from the Montmartre area came up with a better idea to get rid of mice,” said Toth. “Not only will it become known in this area…it will expand beyond local communities.”

While you can order bulk quantities of Bet’r Bait from the Englot and Shiplack families, they urge you to purchase locally. “If you want 1, 2, or 3, support our retailers and buy it there,” said Norman Englot. “We deal with bulk orders, so support them, support us.” Right now Bet’r Bait is for sale at Montmartre Co-op Agro Centre, Wolseley’s Home Building Centre and Stedman’s V & S in Indian Head.

The families have also looked into national distribution. “Peavey Mart, Poulins in Regina, and the national chain of Home Hardware are all interested,” said Kevin Shiplack.

Bet’r Bait is over two years in the making. “I had some mice in the shop and went to grab the peanut butter jar from the kitchen. I got some dirty shots from my wife,” explained Norman. So he came up with the idea of using a syringe filled with the bait while Kevin and Lydia Shiplack masterminded the non-toxic formula to attract the mice. “I wrecked a few Tupperware containers with things growing in them before I came up with the right formula,” said Kevin.

A year a half later he had it, and it was well worth the wait. “We know they like it and we know it works,” said Kevin as he reminisced one of their tests. The Englots had a mouse in their BBQ so they baited the trap with Bet’r Bait and waited. After finding the bait eaten a few times they decided something must be wrong with the trap. “The new trap was baited and put on the BBQ. Norman hadn’t even reached the door and he heard the trap snap,” Kevin recounted.

Now that their product is officially for sale, the Englots and Shiplacks have big dreams for the future. “Wherever there’s a mouse trap hanging in the store, we want Bet’r Bait next to it,” said Norman.