Struggling

This is so difficult. It's a sad reality that for many of us, 24/7 caregiving means 24/7 vigilance. If we aren't watching them constantly, we just don't know what they will do, lose or destroy. Maybe that's why they used to refer to dementia as "second childhood."

You have to go to the bathroom. He needs constant vigilance. It's hard. Some here have had success with locks installed up high on the door, as people with dementia often do not look up. Other solutions include keylocking the exterior doors, and there are some commercial solutions on the market.

Learn all you can about the disease so you can help him. Read the book “The 36 Hour Day” and search online for dementia caregiving videos. His memory is gone. His reasoning ability is gone. You can’t reason with someone whose reasoner is broken. Be proactive and dementia proof your home. Put locks on the doors so he can’t go out. Lock the shed. Hide car keys. Put child locks on cabinets. Hide anything that triggers behavior you don’t want. He’s like a toddler. His safety is the most important thing. He could wander off. I would take my shower after my husband went to sleep. You mentioned in another post that your husband is Stage 6. Your husband needs 24/7 care. Can you get help?

Are other people in the subdivision getting exterminator treatment? Is it possible (and still effective) to put bait traps on the outside of your fences? Maybe consult with the exterminator, explain your dilemma, and see whether they can work it out with you.

As others have pointed out, however, the problems with the traps are just another symptom, and you need to solve the larger problem, namely knowing where your DH is and keeping him out of trouble.