Which rat is that?
The most common rodents that cause a problem in South Australia are the Norwegian rat, the roof rat (black rat), and the common house mouse (aka field mouse). The Norwegian rat has small ears, a blunt nose, and a short tail. They are greyish brown on their back and pale grey on their stomach.
The roof rat (black rat) is black to grey in colour with a pointy nose, slender body and much longer tail than the Norwegian rat. These two rodents can weigh between 50-300gms and are very noticeable when they reach the larger size.
The tiny house mouse is the smallest of the three most common rodents, weighing only about 30g. They have slightly pointed noses, black protruding eyes and a primarily hairless tail.
Signs you might have rodents
Most commonly, you’ll notice either the smell or the droppings first. Rodent droppings are small dark-coloured lumps visible to the naked eye and usually found clumped together where the rodents have congregated. When taking note of the area, you may also notice a strong, musky, unpleasant smell around the room or nearby, which is the result from the rodent's urine soaking into the carpet or between floorboards.
Scratch marks, holes, gnawing, and noises inside the walls indicate the presence of rodents. Rodents can make a lot of noise and are very active at night when you want to sleep, making them quite noticeable.
Do I need to get rid of rodents?
Our short answer is yes, especially when you’ve seen the damage they can cause, like we have. The reproductive cycle of rodents is prolific, with rats able to have up to seven litters a year with 9-10 pups, and mice able to have up to ten litters per year with up to six pups. They only need to reach about three months of age before they can begin reproducing and this literally multiplies your problem. This rapid rate of reproduction makes domestically available traps from your local hardware store ineffective.
With that many nests a year, you’ll be confronted with a significant rodent problem in a short time, and when rodents chew and shred materials for nesting, they can cause immense property damage.
Considering the potential damage to property such as gnawing through wires and even causing potential fires, and the danger of spreading diseases, it’s wise to get in touch with a professional rodent inspector as soon as you notice rodent activity. In our experience, the best practice is to arrange for a rodent pest inspection BEFORE the situation becomes worse.
Hire a professional rodent control expert
It’s common for people to come to us after they have already tried using retail purchased traps or bait that have either not worked, or through misuse, have poisoned or injured a pet or local wildlife.
Regular rodent inspections avoid serious problems
Residential and commercial properties can be significantly impacted by pests, resulting in a range of problems, including health, financial and reputational risks.
In your home, rodents and other pests can pose serious health risks to yourself, your family, and your beloved pets. You may not even know the rodents are there, but they could be contaminating your food and cooking utensils, thereby increasing the risk of serious illness. Additionally, these pests can also cause substantial foundational damage to your property as they prepare nesting materials, resulting in costly repairs.
By law, commercial properties must comply with health regulations to ensure customers' safety and prevent the risk of illness. Noncompliance with these regulations can have severe consequences, by way of fines, reputational damage, and health department closures. For example, if you run a restaurant, the reputational damage resulting from a rodent control issue could lead to significant financial loss through lack of business. With regular rodent inspections this can easily be avoided.
By discovering any issues early, you can rectify the problem before it escalates. If you manage any of the following types of businesses, you should schedule annual inspections with Greens Environmental Pest Services.
- Food manufacturers, particularly breweries and wineries
- Schools, childcare centres, sports clubs, and swimming centres
- Businesses with offices or accommodation
- Building and construction sites
- Hobby Farms
- Semi-rural areas
The best way to protect your property against unwanted rodent residents is to ask Green’s to conduct regular annual or six monthly inspections.
Why choose a professional rodent control treatment with Greens?
Because rodents often make their nests in the roof or wall cavities, we thoroughly check for entry points and locations that may allow them access to your property. During our rodent inspection, we identify the nest and the actions required to discourage the rodents from gaining entry again.
Rodents can squeeze through tiny gaps that appear smaller than they are, so we take a close look at seals around doors and windows, as well as openings near foundations and missing or cracked tiles on the roof.
Once identified, we can assist in blocking access points and treat the area with rodent control products. We use lockable bait stations that are pet-proof and child-proof and only allow rodents access to the bait.
If you prefer a bait-free option, we are happy to provide an audit advising you on which preventive measures you can take around your home or property to avoid further infestation.
Whether you’re in a residential or commercial property, you will benefit from the peace of mind that comes with a regular rodent inspection, even when no issues are evident.
To request a quote or to make a booking for your pest inspection and rodent control, please contact us today.
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