There are three common pest species of rodents found in Australia are:
The Norway Rat
The Roof Rat
The Common House Mouse
Rodents are nocturnal and therefore activity is seldom observed during daylight hours. Our man-made structures provide food and ideal breeding conditions for rodents.
They construct their nests close to areas where they scavenge for food and water, utilising soft materials such as shredded paper or fabrics. These nests are usually situated in wall cavities, roof voids or under floor areas and in the case of Norway Rats, in burrows, garbage tips and other similar sites.
Rats and mice are more than just a nuisance:
They cause damage to furniture and timber in the home
They trigger electrical fires by gnawing on cables and wires.
They transfer disease by contaminating food, food preparation areas and utensils through contact with their fur, urine and droppings.
They are prolific breeders with a brief life cycle. A House Mouse reaches sexual maturity one month after birth and averages 11 litters per year. The number of young ranges from 4 to 12 per litter.
Did you know?
That mice can fit through a 6mm opening or the diameter of a little finger.
Rats can fit through a 13mm opening, or the diameter of a thumb.
A Norway rat can gnaw through a lead pipe.
Rats are creatures of habit whereas mice are more adventurous.
Their sense of smell and taste are so highly developed they can detect minute quantities of chemicals in foodstuffs, and this can lead to 'bait shyness'.
Rodents deposit their droppings on all surfaces on which they travel and this, together with stains caused by their almost continual urination, provide obvious indications of the presence of rodents. Greasy smear marks also become evident along their main routes of movement where they make contact with obstacles.
Rodents are equipped with incisor teeth that continually grow, and it is essential they gnaw at frequent intervals to ensure that these teeth are sufficiently short to enable them to feed and fight. Fire can result from short circuiting caused when rodents gnaw electrical conduiting.
The easiest way to detect rodents is evidence of droppings and urine, signs of damage from gnawing, locating nests - usually of paper/rags, and identifying sounds of their activity at night.
The approach to treatment is based on the species present and local conditions.
What you can do:
Maintain a high standard of hygiene and sanitation.
Implement proper food storage practices e.g. air tight containers, cleaning up spillages etc.
Install garbage containers with tight fitting lids.
Clean up rubbish and weeds around the outside of the house/structure
Locate & block using sturdy, durable materials all cracks, crevices, holes and other potential access points that could allow the entry of mice
Be sure all screens, doors and windows are fitted tightly and that there are no gaps. Check the space under the door as well.
Keep shrubs and vegetation trimmed away from the building to remove natural pathways into your premises
Ensure all litter, waste foods and garden rubbish are disposed of immediately
What we will do:
Conduct a thorough inspection of the premises both internally and externally to determine:
Which rodent is causing the infestation
Severity of infestation
Sources of warmth
Heaviest pressure areas
Poor sanitation areas
Food sources
Rodent proofing opportunities.
Determine appropriate Rodent Control Program
A Rodent Control Program will include:
baiting, monitoring and trapping. Heavy infestations may require multiple visits to reduce and control numbers.
Rodents are nocturnal and therefore activity is seldom observed during daylight hours. Our man-made structures provide food and ideal breeding conditions for rodents.
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