Man Uses CSI Techniques to Catch Critters 'Rodotrak' Has Its Sights Set On Your Mice, Rats. Tony Aiello Reporting

(CBS) REDDING, Conn. It can be an unpleasant fact whether you live in the city or the suburbs. How do you get rid of pests like mice and rats?

One man says the secret to building a better mousetrap is to take a page out of the hit CBS show "CSI."

First you have to ask yourself, how did the suspects enter the scene of the crime?

Finding out is the job of Dave Curtis -- CSI -- that's Critter Scene Investigator.

"I have houses where within 24 hours, I've figured out exactly where it is," Curtis said.

And it's all thanks to the "Rodotrak" -- Curtis' contribution to the science of critter control.

"I'm having a blast with it myself," Curtis said.

Curtis had the bright idea of using crime scene investigation techniques to track the travels of mice, rats and other household intruders.

"CSI mousetrap is very appropriate, it works out great," said Jeanette Curtis.

The Curtises demonstrate using family pets Carol and her mouse-spouse Henry, who enter the Rodotrak and come out covered in fluorescent powder. Under a blue light - their tracks are immediately visible.

"I can see footprints, footprints of where they've gone into my traps and where they're going to," Dave said.

In the field the Rodotrak units help answer the often puzzling question -- how exactly are rodents getting into a building?

"I can take my customer and say, see where they're going? They're going right there," Dave said. "After you know how the mice are getting in, it's pretty easy to keep 'em out -- plug the holes with copper mesh."

Sales of the Rodotrak have been modest, so far, but Dave says interest from the pest control industry is building. He's hoping his "CSI mousetrap" will make him a big cheese in the business.