Rodents on your property? This is a scene that no one wants to see in their homes. But if you are living in Australia, then it is certain that this is your regular scene, especially in most homes in Australia. The climate of Australia is perfect for rats to thrive. The cozy shelter of your home and the abundance of food in your kitchen attract rodents very easily. But still, it is very difficult to find them because of their sneaky nature. The rodents are very expert at staying hidden and make it hard for the homeowners to spot the signs of their infestation. But it is very important to catch them before the problem becomes serious.
Rats can enter your home through small openings and cracks. They also travel along familiar paths, leaving behind some clues that can help you spot them. But how can you be so sure that you have rats in your home? Do you know their infestation signs?
But first, you need to know about the different types of rodents in Australia
It is difficult to say about all the species, but here are some common rats that you can easily find in most homes in Australia.
- House Mouse (Mus musculus)
House Mouse are small in size, have long tails, and are light brown. They are normally found in the homes, walls, roofs, and pantries. They can easily reproduce up to 10 litters per year.
- Black Rat (Rattus rattus)
Black rats are medium in size and have long tails. They have large ears, long tails, and a slender body. They are excellent climbers; this is the reason they are mostly found on roof spaces, on ceilings, and on trees.
- Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Brown rats are Large (up to 40 cm ). They have small ears, short tails, and thick bodies. Because of their body types, they prefer to live in lower areas such as basements, drains, and ground floors.
All the above species of rats are dangerous for your home and for your health. So let’s check the common signs of their infestation and why they invade your home.
Here are some common signs of rat infestation in your home.
- Droppings
Rat droppings are one of the most common signs of infestation. Their droppings are dark and of a cylindrical shape. You will find ant droppings in the kitchen, behind appliances, pantries, etc.. Not only are their droppings unsanitary, but they can also be responsible for spreading various types of diseases.
- Noises
Rats are nocturnal. They are mostly active at night. If you hear scratching and gnawing sounds under the roof and walls, especially at night, then this is a strong indicator of the rats’ activity. These noises are the most important sign of their presence.
- Unpleasant, Musky Odors
A strong and musky odor is the most important sign of a rat infestation. This type of odor comes from their urine, their droppings, and sometimes from decomposing rodents.
- Gnaw Marks and Damage
The rats have strong teeth and will gnaw on almost everything. If you find chew marks on furniture, wires, packing food, pipes, and cables, this is a sign of their presence. They not only cause damage to your home but also pose serious hazards to your health.
- Nests and Nesting Materials
Rats build their nest by using shredded materials such as fabric, paper, etc. The nests built by them are normally in the wall cavities, attics, or storage areas. If you find piles of such material, a distinct odor, and droppings nearby, all of these are signs you have rats in your home.
If you are also experiencing these types of signs at your home, you should consult professional pest control services to control rodents in your house.
Before hiring professionals, you should know why rodents invade your home. Why do they try to enter again and again in your home?
- Warmth and comfort
If you think that rats love to live in muddy, smelly sewers, then you are wrong. Rats also want shelter, food, and safety. These warm-blooded creatures break or enter your home for warmth and comfort. But they also damage your home structure.
So what can you do about this? So you have the solution in your own hands. Try to keep your home clean and tidy. Declutter your home and throw away all the waste things from your store which is not required. If you have a pile of nesting material at your home, such as wires or wood, then it is advised to throw them away. With this step, you can easily prevent them.
All types of foods
Rats are not fussy eaters. Rats can eat anything from fruits to milk, everything is best for them. If you have leftover food in your garbage bin, then it is advised to cover it. They will get every type of food in that.
You are attracting them by not using the covers on the bins. Most rats first attack garbage bins before entering your home to find food. This is the reason you should empty your garbage bin from time to time. Keep the trash can far from your house.
You should not leave any food items uncovered in your home. Rats will sniff food from miles. So you should always cover the food items, pet food, and birdseed as well.
- Leaking pipes
If you have a leakage issue at your home, then it is sure you must have a rat infestation in your home. So you should choose the repair option to get rid of the leakage issues. Keep your house as dry as you can. With this, you can not only keep the rats away, but you will get rid of the cockroaches as well.
- Indoor fruit and vegetable plants
Fruit and vegetable plants are incredibly attractive to rats, especially roof rats, who love seeking out fruit. Rats love large potted plants because they are best for hiding and for snuggling at night.
We are not saying that you should get rid of plants, but you can make them rat-proof. If you have fruit trees in your backyard area, then swap them with regular plants because regular plants don’t bear fruit.
- Pet waste
Rats are attracted to any type of food, which includes pet waste as well. So it is advised to keep your lawn area clean from time to time especially that area where your pets poop the most.
- Entry points
Most of the rats come to your house because they can easily enter without any struggle. This means your house has lots of entry points that you don’t even know. Try to find those holes and cover them to prevent entry of the rats.
How to Prevent Rats from Breaking In
Here are some things that you can do on your own to prevent rats, such as:
- Find and fix the leakage issues in your house.
- Keep your all house clutter-free. Destroy and remove all the items which you are not using anymore.
- Store every type of food in the containers. Always store all types the spare food in sealed packets, including pet food.
- Cover your trash cans with the help of lids.
- Seal all the holes in your house.
- Keep your garden area clean.
- The most important think like a rat.
You should follow all the above things to get rat and rodent control. But if you have a severe rodent infestation at your home, you should choose professionals for rodent control.
But what are the signs? When should to contact the professionals for rodent control?
For some homeowners, DIY is not an option if the rodent infestation is too much; you need to contact professionals.
If you are not getting decent results after using store-bought mouse control products, then you can call the professionals.
You are not able to find the best trap for your residential and commercial property.
The rodents have reached your kitchen, destroyed your property and contaminated your food.
You are dealing with rodents again after using so many professional pests control treatments.
If you have all the reasons, then you should surely choose a pest control company to handle the situation and for complete peace of mind. The professional pest control also provides emergency rodent removal services.
Why choose Auzzie pest control for rodent control?
If you are not able to control rodents in your house after so many treatments, then you need to contact the professionals of Auzzie Pest Control only. Choosing Auzzie pest control can be a very smart decision. If you are looking for effective, reliable, and reasonable pest control services, then you should choose Auzzie Pest Control for that.
For rodent control, we have trained technicians who identify and eliminate rodents from your premises. The team of Auzzie pest control understands the behavior of the rodents and finds their nest and entry points. These are all things necessary for long-term solutions.
We provide safe, eco-friendly solutions to every customer. So choose us for the best pest control services in Australia.