One of the best ways of pest control at your home is with the use of an air rifle. An air rifle is much safer and cheaper. Considering the high cost of ammunition that comes with owning a real gun.
There are also limited regulations pertaining to the ownership and use of air guns.
There are many ways available in which you can implement pest control in your home. You can use traps, barriers, or chemicals. But some people only prefer using the air rifle.
Best Air Rifles for Pest Control
Gamo Wildcat Whisper Air Rifle
The rifle comes in 2 calibers we have the .177 and the .22, but you should opt for the .22. The gun uses a gas piston compression that works in similar fashion to the spring piston. But with less vibration and more consistent power
Its capable of 975 fps of force enough to terminate most varmint.
Key Features
- .22 cal. pellet
- Weight: 5.64lb, Length: 44.5in, Length of pull: 14.4in, Cocking effort: 30 lbs.
- Power type: gas-piston
- 4X32 Shockproof scope included
- Plastic frame material
- Aluminum barrel
Benjamin Marauder BP2264S Air rifle
The gun is also capable of using C02, which makes it more convenient.
Key Features
- Plastic frame material
- Two-stage adjustable match-grade trigger system
- Dovetail mounting rail
- 10-round magazine
- PCP-powered
- Item Weight 7.8 lbs.
- Break barrel
- Capable of delivering speeds up to 1000 fps
Hatsan Air Rifle
Key Features
- Spring-piston .22 caliber
- Dovetail Fixed TruGlo fiber optic front sight (red, 0.060)
- TruGlo fiber optic rear sight (green, 0.035)
- forearm Rubber recoil pad SAS (shock absorber system)
- Barrel material: Alloy steel
- Frame material: Plastic
- Weight 7.6 lbs.
- Up to 1000 fps.
Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle
The gun also comes with a 4x32mm scope that allows you to pick-off small, hard-to-see targets.
Key Features
- Velocity: 1250 feet per second (fps) with PBA.
- Magazine Capacity Single Shot.
- Break Barrel: Single Cocking System.
- Trigger: Two stage adjustable.
- Manual Trigger Safety.
- Stock: Synthetic.
- Scope: 4×32 air rifle scope.
- Power type: spring piston
- Frame material: plastic
- Weighs 5.47 lbs.
Umarex Ruger Targis Hunter Max Air Rifle
The gun includes a Nucleus Rail Platform engineered to reduce scope movement, and comes with a 3-9x32mm adjustable objective air rifle scope. A 5-chamber SilencAir sound dampener is permanently affixed to the air rifle to reduce down range noise.
Key Features
- Fires .22 Caliber Pellets
- Power type: spring piston
- Frame material: plastic
- Shoots up to 800 FPS
- 3-9×32 Scope Included
- SilencAir Noise Dampener Included
- Weighs 2.21 lbs
Air Rifle for Pest Control- Buying Guide
These are some of the things to consider when looking for an air rifle for pest control
1. Propulsion Method
Unlike a live gun, the air gun doesn’t use gun powder to propel the BB or pellets.
The air rifle uses compressed air to propel the projectile. One doesn’t fit all when it comes to the method used for propulsion.
We have different types of propulsion. These are;
-
Spring Piston
These rifles have a spring that the shooter compresses every time he fires a shot.
The spring, in turn, compresses air in a piston to provide adequate propulsion for the next pellet.
These rifles are generally strong enough to deal with vermin
-
Co2
These utilize a small canister filled with liquid co2 to provide enough propulsion for a given number of pellets. After the gas runs out, the canister is replaced with another one.
These types of guns provide only moderate force for hunting pests, but they allow for a repeat shot. They are also popular for plinking.
-
Pneumatic
These types of guns employ a pump action to compress enough air to propel the pellets. We have a single-stroke and multi-stroke compression mechanism.
The advantage of these types of propulsion is that you can decide on the amount of force you need. Specifically, when using the multi-stroke compression.
An air rifle with multi-stroke compression can be moderately or extremely powerful. Depending on the number of strokes you use to compress the air.
-
Pre-charged propulsion (PCP)
These ones require external compression using either a normal compressor or special PCP compressors. And the air is filled onto a small cylinder on the rifle. They can be extremely powerful but the power also depends on the size of the reservoir, and the pressure level measured in Psi.
This rifle is also very effective for pest control. One of the reasons is because it allows for a repeat shot if you miss the first one.
2. Weight
While shopping for an air rifle for pest control, opting for the lighter one makes aiming and firing easier.
You are also able to use the rifle longer, without getting fatigued. By the heavy recoil, that accompanies a heavy rifle.
3. Caliber
There are many sizes of caliber available but the most used with air rifles are the 0.177 and the 0.22. These calibers are both effective depending on the type of use.
For pest control, however, we prefer the .22 because it packs a harder punch. Around 20% more force than the .177, more effective in killing a pest.
The 0.22 is also ideal for short ranges which is mostly the case when hunting pests. But the 0.177 is faster.
4. Feet per Second (FPS)
This is the speed that the rifle propels a pellet. Although most air guns qualify to have the right speed to deal with pests. Pest hunters recommend a rifle that can shoot a .22 pellet at 700fps at least.
Final Verdict
Vermin pose a real threat to plants and the home in general. They also are known to cause a variety of diseases.
Using any of the guns we have reviewed will definitely give you an increased likelihood to acquire your target. And using the guide provided will give you an idea while selecting a rifle, not on our list.
Remember to perfect your shooting skills through target practice. And this will enable you to more effectively control the pests.
Also check out our review of the rifle gun cases you can use to store your air rifle