Types of rodents pests in Melbourne

Huntsman Spider

Rodent Behaviour

Did you know that Rodents are extremely cautious? Once they have found a safe pathway for themselves, they won’t deviate from it, travelling the same path continuously. This is good for Rodent Control because once the path is discovered, traps can be put in place to remove them.

When Rodents come across a new object along their route, like a trap, they will often avoid it. They will give it a sniff and a careful inspection but will leave it alone for days before it feels safe enough to explore it further. This means that it may take days before a rodent is exterminated using traps.

Characteristics

Due to poor eyesight Rodents leave behind a strong odour when they are making their pathways. Oil is secreted from their fur along with urine which is left behind on the ground and various objects used as markers.

Why Rodent Control is Important

Rodent control should be done upon the immediate sighting of a rodent pest. Rodents breed quickly, which means the problem can escalate quickly, leaving you, your family and your home open to all sorts of distressing issues.

Rodents Cause Property Damage

Rats and mice love to gnaw away on cords, cables, books, roof insulation and furniture. This leads to various complications including house fires, repair costs and loss of personal valuables. Rodent removal will prevent possible destruction to hillsides, retaining walls and other valuable structures due to rodents burrowing underground.

Rodents can chew through electric cables and have been known to cause fires!

Transmit Disease

Bubonic plague, salmonella, typhus fever and trichinosis are to name just a few diseases that can be passed on to humans. Rodents will contaminate food from their urine, faeces and leaving fur behind. They can also pass on diseases from biting, scratching and fleas.

Rodents can pass on diseases to humans!

Rodents Attract Other Predators

Rodent removal is necessary because they attract further unwanted pests such as snakes. Venomous and constricting snakes are predators of rodents. Snakes will also pose a great threat to family and pets if found in and around the house because of rodents.

Rodents attract unwanted predators such as snakes!

This is why you need to contact us upon first sighting of rodents or rodent droppings in and around your home.

Common Signs of Rodents in Your Home

Rodents are usually nocturnal and usually hide from humans. Here are some of the typical signs you have a Rodent problem:

• Scratching noises: normally heard in the roof, walls or under floors where you can hear them running around on hard surfaces.
• Faeces: Rodents leave small, dark droppings in cupboards, under sinks and behind furniture to name a few.
• Smell: Rodents leave behind an ammonia-like odour which comes from the oil extruded from their body when marking locations. It is a particularly strong smell when in enclosed spaces like kitchen cupboards.
• Gnawing: Rodents teeth grow continuously. You will have a rodent problem if you see gnawed furniture, cables and books and other household items.
• Ripped packaging: If you find it odd that your food packaging is torn and ripped open, this can mean only one thing, you have rodents in your home and you need rodent removal.
• Nests: Rodent nests are made using pieces of paper, shredded cords, plastic items and fabric. They may contain baby rodents. Rodent nests are found in dark hidden places, away from the human eye.
• Burrows:they dig burrows in gardens, compost heaps and under sheds. The first line of defence against rodents is to seal any areas around the building where they can gain access. Even a small hole can quickly be chewed into a larger opening that allows them to gain entry.

Rodent Control Treatment

• Reduce the food, water and environment available to rodents.
• Make sure any small holes and entrance points outside the house are sealed up properly.
• Use traps to capture the rodents and release them into the wild.
• The use of bating, powders and gels can be used to control and prevent rodent infestation.