We have seen an increase in calls for rodent pest control this winter season. Rodents are top of the list for winter pests. These pests come to homes seeking shelter, food and water. They can quickly breed up in high numbers and are well known for causing significant damage to a home and an unhealthy environment. It’s important to get these pests removed and stop them from returning as soon as possible.
They are a huge health risk and can cause serious infections including Dysentery, Salmonellosis and Tularemia. People can suffer from asthma attacks and infection by breathing in particles from droppings and urine or unknowingly touching surfaces.
Rodents can enter a home through cracks, guttering spaces and enter the roof area, access walls and chew through plaster board to get in the home. They have been known to chew electrical wiring and cause house fires.
How to get rid of rodents
Firstly, sealing up any cracks in the home around doors, windows is key. Trim tree branches that reach the roof as these create a bridge for a rodent to crawl across and enter the roof. Next, we can apply rodent control measures around the property to stop rodents from gaining access including baiting stations or traps.
What types of rodents are found?
The House mouse
The House Mouse is a species of mice responsible for mouse plagues in Australia. Favouring dry locations, you’ll more than likely discover a House Mouse nesting in roof/ceiling areas, in furniture, wall surfaces and occasionally in the outdoors.
A House Mouse is an omnivore, so they choose eating grains. They will just expand to weigh about 20 grams as well as having a slender body that allows them to travel through tight areas and small holes with ease.
The Norway Rat
Additionally referred to as the ‘brownish rat’, ‘water rat’ or ‘drain rat’, the Norway Rat is a mix of multiple rat varieties. This little rodent is the largest out of this pest type, weighing around 450g. They can become hostile when provoked or disturbed. They can live both indoors as well as outdoors, nesting in sewers, around rivers and are known to dig burrows in the ground.
The Roof Rat
The smallest rat among the three types, the roof rat, likewise referred to as the ‘black rat’ are typically discovered in roof areas. They are a very timid type of rat, but agile and can climb well. Unlike the others, they don’t tunnel, they aren’t strong swimmers and also seldom venture into sewers. These rats also have a really slender body making it simple for them to slide into splits and holes in buildings.
Signs of rodents
Telltale signs of active rodents includes:
- Droppings around the home outside.
- Scratching sounds in walls.
- Gnawing sounds in walls, roofs.
- Damaged gyprock walls and ceilings.
- Dark stains on walls outside, posts.
Concerned about rodents?
If you’ve seen signs of rodents at your home, contact us today to arrange a treatment.
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