Why are we seeing more rodents out?

The weather is getting cooler and the rain is starting to come down, and this means these little guys are leaving their burrows are looking for some cosy, comfy shelter. And we’ll bet you’ve stopped your outdoor BBQ’s and picnics, food is becoming harder to find outside, which means they’re going to make their way inside…yes to your home, not just the shed outback. This is also the time of year rodent breeding spikes, so if you get a little nester in your home, it can very quickly become a huge problem.

So, you’ve got the scratching and the droppings, but what is the difference between a mouse and a rat?

While both can squeeze into small gaps, mice are smaller, which means it’s a lot easy for them to make it into your home, that being said, rats tend to cause more damage to your home due to their size.
Rats tend to stay hidden longer, you’ll see evidence of them, long before you see them, this means that while you’re waiting to be certain if you have rats or mice, they’re getting comfy having babies causing damage and and settling in.

Did you know, Mice only need the space of a 5c coin to access your home. It’s important you keep entry areas sealed!

Is one worse than the other?

Both are a big problem, and generally in the long run, it’s the same outcomes, but in the short-run, Rats require an urgent approach due to having stronger teeth and therefore, are likely to cause more damage, quickly (wires, timber, pipes). Rats also have a higher contamination risk than mice, though mice are also carriers, and mice breed and multiple faster than rats, so if you see one of these guys, you’d better get on it quick before you have a full blown mouse infestation.

Can I just ignore them?

Well, it would be ill-advised, and we get it! They can be so cute, especially the little mice, but, sorry to tell you this, they won’t “just leave”, these small problems become big infestations quickly and that means significant damage to your home, higher likelihood of bacteria and disease spreading, fire risks with electrical damage, bad smells, and constant night time noises. The longer you wait to deal with rodents, the harder it is to treat them.

What’s the problem with them being in my home?

So in a simple list:

• Spread bacteria and disease (urine, droppings, surfaces)

• Chew electrical wiring → fire risk

• Damage insulation, walls, and stored items

• Create odours (especially if they die in walls/roof)

• Constant noise, stress, and hygiene concerns

I rent, this isn’t even my home! Is it a problem if I leave them?

In short, Yes, and it can come back on you. Some real estates take the rodent and pest control upon themselves, but it is rare. As a general rule, if you have damage due to un-dealt with rodents, it’s you who pays.

• They can cause significant damage property (which may affect bond return)

• If a fire, plumbing or other serious issue occur, the owner’s insurance may not cover it, and if you’ve left the problem un-checked, it could come back on you

• Even if your real estate does cover it, landlords often expect tenants to report pest issues early so they can get on top of it, if you’ve waited too long, it’ll fall on you

• Whether you rent or own, sickness doesn’t care. Protect yourself and your family from the unknown impact of bacteria and disease from rodents

• Letting it worsen can make it harder to prove it wasn’t caused by neglect

Is it a sign my home is unclean?

No! Though an unclean home does make it easier for rodents to choose your home and settle in in unnoticed, what they are actually looking for is Shelter, Warmth, Easy access and food. Even clean homes can have rodent issues if entry points exist! Clean homes are generally less attractive to rodent, but by no means are they immune.

What can I do to stop attracting them?

• Seal gaps (doors, vents, rooflines, weep holes)

• Keep food sealed (including pet food)

• Take bins out regularly

• Reduce clutter (especially storage areas)

• Trim vegetation away from the house

• Don’t leave food or crumbs overnight

Why are rodents so hard to treat DIY?

Rodents are extremely cautious (especially rats), and they are very smart. They will often detect new objects (like traps/bait), so those objects need to be attractive to the rodents. They also are nocturnal which means you are using evidence to determine their habits and if your baits are not placed properly, they’ll likely avoid it.

The key difference, is that the rodenticide you can purchase without a license are not necessarily going to have the same impact as a licensed technician. As rodents like to squeeze into small gaps and within walls, it is common with DIY jobs that they will die within a wall, roof void or hard to reach places, leaving you stuck with a stench. Our treatments cause the rodents to become very thirsty and leave your home looking for a large body of water, not just a bath or a sink, this means that they die outside of your walls and either off your property, or in an ‘easy to dispose of’ area.

Interesting rodent facts

• Their teeth never stop growing, they must chew constantly…yep that means maximum damage

• Rodents are highly social, if you see one, there are usually more. Once a location feels “safe,” others will follow

• They communicate and follow scent trails

• Mice have up to 10 litters per year with up to 10 per litter…leave that cute mouse for 8 weeks and with those odds, you’ve got at least 10 guys running around

• Rats have up to 7 litters per year with up to 12 babies per litter, thats a little every two months!

• Can squeeze through incredibly small gaps, mice can even squeeze through a 5c sized gap…Eek, you’ve gotta seal those entry points

• Excellent climbers and swimmers

• Can survive on very little food, though they’ll keep looking for more…at your house

• Have strong memory and can learn trap patterns

• Leave scent trails for others to follow

• Often live in roof voids, walls, and subfloors