Mice and rats are stubborn and very adaptable pests that can easily turn your life into a nightmare. They are certainly not fussy eaters, and make themselves at home in our houses, gardens, sheds and garages. Besides causing structural damage to buildings and leaving unpleasant smells, these rodents are also a serious health risk to humans, so it is important to rid them from your home. And we will tell you how to prevent mice from overfilling your home
If you are to successfully eliminate mice and rats from your home, it is essential that you find out exactly what type of rodent you are dealing with. For example, knowing this will help you pick the right size of trap. A mouse trap is too small to catch rats, while a rat trap might not be sensitive enough to nab mice.
Australian Native Mouse and Rat Identification
The common rodents found in Australian homes include:
- the black rat
- the brown rat
- the house mouse
Some native Australian rodents such as Hopping Mice do not pose health risks and are protected species that should be left alone. However, introduced rodent species such as those listed above infest agricultural and residential areas, spreading disease, especially due to rat droppings.
Rats
These are Brown or black in colour and are larger than mice. They may reach 25 cm in body length and weigh up to 400g.
Mice
They may be white, grey, brown or black and are smaller than rats. Growing to 10 cm in length, they rarely weigh more than 30 grams.
Chemical rodent control
One way to get rid of mice in your house is through poisoning. Chemical control of rodents should be part of a wider pest control program that includes removal of food sources. This is because chemical control is a short-term measure, and the mice and rats will be back if shelter and food are still available. These elements are the key causes of mice in your house.
Rat poisons that contain anti-coagulants can be purchased from many neighbourhood hardware stores or supermarkets.
Trapping
Rat and mouse traps differ in strength and size, so it is important that you identify the type of rodent and use the proper trap for this method to be effective. Similar to poisons, rodent traps can be purchased from local supermarkets or hardware stores.
Some tips to follow when setting traps include:
- Use several traps simultaneously;
- Avoid placing traps next to food preparation areas;
- Place traps across ‘runways’ a few days before you set them to allow rats and mice to get used to walking across them
Disposal of dead rats and mice
Once you have used a mouse killer, always remove dead rodents from areas where non-pest animals or pets may come across them. They may be wrapped and thrown into a rubbish bin or buried. Always ensure that you wear gloves when you handle dead wild rodents and wash you hands after disposing of them.
