How to Get Rid of Rats and Mice in Sydney
Rodents pose a significant threat to humans and are capable of transmitting pathogens with adverse consequences. It is crucial to keep the rat population under control by connecting with professional Rodent Control in Sydney.
Recent surges in the rat population across Australia have forced researchers to devise new ways of controlling these creatures. If you remember the past bubonic plagues, the future doesn’t look very bright for humans.
Studies have shown that rodents can spread over thirty-five varieties of diseases in both humans and pets. Hungry rats will chew through your electrical wires, phone lines, pipes, causing significant damage to public properties.
Also, these creatures are a constant threat inside commercial properties, especially restaurants, with increased chances of contamination.
Are Rats, Mice, And Rodents Same?
When writing about rodents, it’s a common misconception to mix up on rodents, mice, and rats. Rodents refer to the classification of mammals with a pair of incisors in each upper and lower jaw. About 40% of mammalian species are rodents, which will give you a fair idea about their population.
Both mice and rats fall into this rodent classification. There are dozens of species of rats and mice found in Australia. However, the most common ones are the Norway rat, house mouse, and roof rats.
Rats are much larger than mice with differences in behaviour. This blog will look at both kinds and use the term rodents to generalize the classification.
What Are The Common Sources Of Rat Food?
Rats love the warm and humid conditions of Sydney. The creatures are mostly nocturnal and come out of their hiding in search of food.
- Foods in unsealed containers like chips, rice, cereal, crackers, flour are particularly loved by rats
- Fruits and vegetables left in open bowls
- Open trash and containers left outside your homes
Rats are tough to locate, and you need an experienced team of Rodent Control in Sydney to detect them.
The most common access points for mice to enter your home include:
- Holes around your windows and doors
- Cracks in your building foundation like basement holes and unscreened ventilators
- Missing screen in windows and crawl spaces
- Holes near cabinets, closets or doors
- Cracks in sink pipes and appliance pipes
Guiding Principles For Rat Control
Before elaborating on pest control solutions against rats, let’s give you a snap view of the guiding principles you should follow.
| Identify | Prevent | Treat |
| Look for signs of rats or mice like droppings around your food, or kitchen countertops | Seal all entry points to prevent rats or mice from entering your home. | You can remove rodents through electronic traps, mesh, or baits |
| Look for nesting materials like shredded paper or fabric | Remove objects that attract rats, like food and paper. Store them securely in sealed containers or tight packages | You can install barn or nesting boxes to control rodent infestation naturally inside your property. |
There are other outdoor and indoor recommendations you should follow to keep these pesky intruders at bay.
Should You Get An Exterminator For Rat Control?
You can send mice packing off your home by contacting a Rodent Control in Sydney technician. But please don’t expect your exterminator to show up in ghostbuster suits and eliminate mice from your home. Rodent control is indeed a tiresome job and requires patience and determination.
When you call a specialist, he will survey your home, searching for entry points used by these intruders. He will also check the outdoors for holes and cracks. Mice can chew through wood and walk right through your front door. Exterminators will seal off these points to block the entry and exit of rats.
You should always talk to your pest specialist in detail and ask questions about his techniques. A professional will also question you about the history of a mouse infestation in your home, which will help him determine the damage extent.
Details You Should Discuss With The Specialist
When you call for professional help, it’s important to discuss some details for dealing with the infestation.
Location
Rats establish their shelters close to food sources and creep into different places at night. So, you should discuss your home’s venting system when you call a professional, which will help him detect their hideouts.
History Of The Infestation
Make a note of the exact date from when this problem began. It will help the exterminator to determine the level of treatment and come up with solutions.
Any Noise You Hear Lately
The apparent signs of a mouse infestation are scratching noises you hear at night. You know them, alright! Those trademark squeaks inside your walls send shivers down your spine. Take your exterminator to the exact spots from where the sounds are coming, which will help him to set the bait stations.
Presence of Bad Odor
Another important way to locate rats is a distinct foul odor due to filth and droppings. When you smell this nasty odor, don’t be shy in discussing the details with a pest controller.
What Happens During Rodent Treatment?
When you contact a professional Rodent Control in Sydney, he will take several steps to eliminate these intruders from your property.
Inspection
The first step in getting rodents out of your home is inspection. An inspection is crucial for many reasons:
- It reveals pest hideouts
- Determines whether the rodent is a mouse or rat
- It also confirms the rat colony and the paths they travel to reach the food source.
- An inspection reveals food sources and access points.
However, it is relatively simple to determine rats even when you see them. Signs of a rat infestation include burrows, grease marks, urine stains, sounds, and odour.
Once a rat population is known, the inspector turns to locate their nest. Pest controllers in Sydney use a UV rodent tracker to catch urine sources that glow under the light.
Exclusion Strategies
The next step involving rat elimination is the process of exclusion. An exclusion means sealing rat entry and exit points inside your apartment or home. Common access points include vents, holes near cabinets, closet doors, and outside crawl spaces. It is also crucial to eliminate the food sources of rats. Rats love unsealed foods, left out water, uncovered fruits and vegetables.
Elimination
Eliminating rat colonies involves using bait stations and traps. Pest controllers must understand rat behavior before using a particular trap for stopping these creatures.
Clearing The Mess
Once the rats are killed, it’s time to clean up the area. Professionals don’t touch rats with bare hands but use gloves to dispose of them safely. Also, pest controllers ventilate the rooms for around 30 minutes before proceeding with any other task.
Types Of Baits Used In Mouse Elimination
Mice and rats are a significant threat to your home, and that’s why you should call in an experienced technician for Rodent Control in Sydney. Pest exterminators use various baits:
Tamper-Proof Rat Bait Stations
Bait stations are an excellent way to control the rodent population inside your home. It is placed discreetly by your professional pest controller close to the rat hideouts.
- The stations are locked to prevent tampering and weighed down using blocks
- Metal rods are placed inside the stations and fastened to the units
- The interiors are used to record station inspections and prepare the report
- Bait stations are capable of covering around 1/4th mile or radius
Live Traps
Humane live traps for mice and rats come in a variety of sizes and types. Pest controllers use multi-catch devices when there is a large-scale infestation. Some units also come with see-through panels for checking the traps.
- The live stations are environment-friendly and straightforward to use
- It allows you to remove live rodents without touching them
- You can use multi-catch units for high infestations
Snap Traps
Snap traps work fine indoors and are placed away from children and pets. It is particularly effective at catching rodents when they are active. You can place snap traps inside kitchen cabinets, behind doors, or in the basement.
- Snap traps come with a quick-kill spring mechanism
- You can dispose of them faster without any hassle
- Bait pedals allow you to operate them with foot
Exclusion Materials
No rat elimination program can be complete without sealing off the entry and exit points. That’s why exterminators use a variety of exclusion materials for warding off these pests.
- Professionals use copper wire mesh around pipes or other metal structures
- Door sweeps were placed at the entry and exit points
- Expandable foams secure openings and even small holes.
Is Rodent Treatment Safe For Pets And Children?
Rat poisons are pesticides aimed at killing the rodent population. It is unsafe for children and pets at your home. You can either contact an experienced pest exterminator or follow these tips for safety.
- Store pesticide products away where children or pets can’t access them. You can lock them up or store them in high places.
- Use bait stations that are safe for pets and children
- Remove dead rats immediately to reduce the risks of poisoning
- If you think that your child has gulped down rat poison, call an ambulance urgently.
How Much Does A Rodent Treatment Cost?
Your child might love Mickey Mouse, but you probably don’t want to see house rats romping around your kitchen. The average cost of mouse extermination includes consultation fees, setting up traps, sealant, and following up. It also depends on the extent of infestation inside your property. You can also speak to your pest controller team to undertake the cleaning process.
How To Clean After Rodent Extermination?
Rodents carry many diseases, so it’s vital to disinfect them properly after the pest control team leaves your home.
Be Patient
If you are outside, wait for some time to move in after the pest control team leaves.
Throw Away Food Leftovers
If you have accidentally left any food outside, please throw them inside the garbage. Pest controllers use chemicals that can contaminate your food.
Don’t Clean Immediately
Your Local Rodent Control in Sydney will not leave much mess after the treatment. There should be no need to sweep or mop the area, which will, on the contrary, reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Repair The Leaks
If you notice any leaks to your plumbing fixtures, repair them immediately. It will again serve as an entry point for pests inside your property.
Avoid Leaving Paper Trails
Paper is a good source for mice to chew around. So, make sure that you don’t leave tiny paper trails around your home. Discard old newspaper or small paper items that you no longer require.
How Should You Choose A Pest Controller?
Most of us, homeowners, landlords, renters, or commercial managers, can control pests through small preventative measures. But when the infiltration goes out of control, you need to hire a technician for Rodent Control in Sydney.
However, with so many of them around these days, selecting the right one can be difficult. So, let’s go through some tips which will make your task simpler.
- Take time to do your research before choosing an exterminator professional. Search the internet, speak to your neighbors, and read the online reviews before shooting the arrow.
- It’s always better to interview at least five pest control teams before choosing one.
- Ask questions to the professionals who will help you to judge their ability.
- Look at their certificates, licenses, and warranty policies
- Refrain from signing long-term contracts
- Hire only specialists rodent controllers
- Check out their experience and pest control method
- Ask whether there will be any additional costs
Why Should You Eliminate Rodents?
Rodents and mice running helter-skelter are not a good sign for homeowners. Contacting a qualified Rodent Control in Sydney comes with enormous benefits.
- It keeps diseases out.
- Eliminate health risks, especially for children and pets
- Significantly reduces allergies and itching
- Promotes better sleep
- Prevents further damage to your belongings
- Cost-effective and time-saving procedure
The humid climate of Sydney promotes the growth of rats and mice inside your home. It is essential to locate their hideouts and learn their behavior before eliminating these pesky pests. However, if you don’t have time for DIY, please contact a competent technician for Rodent Control in Sydney and free your home from diseases.
Specifically, no other company has been more trusted and reliable in Sydney than ABC Pest Control. Aside from infestation control against mice and rats, this company covers all common residential and commercial pests. More details about their expertise are available on their website. Also, you check out their reviews to see what their customers say about them. Call them now for free advice and a free quote!
