Rodent Control
Rat and Mice Treatments
No matter how clean your home or business is, rodents will target any building for food, water and shelter. The danger of having rats and mice inside include property damage and the spread of disease, some of which can be fatal. What makes the situation worse is that rodents are fast breeders. If you spot one, there´s likely to be many more in the vicinity.
Pro Pest Control Melbourne is your go-to exterminator for rat infestations. We´ll identify, monitor and treat your rodent problem quickly and with the utmost discretion.
Why Rodents Are Considered Pests
Having rodents in your home or business can greatly risk your health. First of all, they can chew through electrical wires, which can cause sparks and ignite flames. Then there are the diseases.
Rodents transmit pathogens through rat droppings, urine and saliva. The most common transmission pathways are through bites and scratches, inhalation of dust particles contaminated by rodent waste and contact with contaminated surfaces. Among the infectious diseases they can cause are rat-bite fever, bubonic plague, Lassa fever, leptospirosis and salmonellosis.
In addition to the health risks, rats gnaw into materials such as upholstery, wood, books and paper.
How We Treat Rodents
Rodent infestations need to be handled immediately. At us, our three-stage plan removes rodents and stops them from coming back.
Inspection
Once you have told us about your rodent problem, we´ll send one of our highly trained and certified pest control specialists to your property. They´ll perform a detailed interior and exterior inspection during which they´ll identify the rodent species, their nesting sites and the extent of the infestation.
Rodent Removal Service
Based on the inspection findings, we´ll develop a customised treatment plan to give you a healthy, clean environment once again. Our treatments may include trapping, stations and rodenticides. We will also remove any dead rodents.
Final Inspection
We´ll conduct a thorough walk-through method to ensure your property is rodent-free.
As part of our service, we will also give you some top tips to keep the rodents away.
Common Rodent Species in Melbourne
The most common rodent species found in Melbourne are:
- Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) – also known as a sewer rat, common rat or brown sewer rat. These rats are characterised by their large build, blunt nose, grey fur and a tail length of 16 to 20 centimetres. They´re good swimmers and have a lifespan of between nine months and a year.
- House mouse (Mus domesticus) – these small animals mark have a slender build, pointed nose, large, hairy ears and a tail length of 8 to 10 centimetres. They can live indoors or outdoors and have a lifespan of about one year.
- Roof rat (Rattus rattus) – also known as a black rat or ship rat. These rats have a slender, streamlined build, grey, brown or black fur, pointed nose and a tail length of between 14 and 20 centimetres. Roof void rats can live for 9 to 12 months.
Common Signs of Infestation
How Do You Know If You Have A Rodent Problem?
You will soon know if you have a problem with rats. Here are some of the tell-tale signs that rodents have set up residence in your home or business.
- Dark stains and the presence of faecal matter.
- Gnawed material such as wooden furniture, cardboard boxes, plastic pipes and electrical cable wire.
- Scurrying, scratching and squeaking noises at night.
- Strong urine and musky smells coming from dark places in your home/commercial premises.
- Tiny footprints. These are easily spotted in dusty areas.
- Irregular pet behaviour as they sense there are rodents around.
- Small nests made from shredded materials.
- You see a rodent. They´re nocturnal creatures, so if you see one during the day, it could signify a large infestation.
How To Keep Rodents at Bay: DIY Control and Prevention Tips
- Seal/fill in common entry points that rats can sneak through, such as foundation cracks and gaps around pipes.
- Don´t leave food leftovers out at night. If you have a pet, store their food in sealed containers.
- Keep your home clean, especially the kitchen cupboards. Place dirty dishes in the dishwasher and put all meal away. Don´t leave clutter on the ground.
- Remove heavy vegetation from your garden that can serve as hiding places. Pick up any fruit or vegetables that have fallen to the ground.
- Ensure your rubbish bins are closed at all times.
- Trim trees and shrubs, so they are several feet away from your property and not touching the walls.
- If you feed your pets outdoors or in exterior doors, make sure you bring in their food products and water bowls at night.
- Soak a few cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in front of places where the pests may get in like water pipes and so on. Rats hate the smell.
- Another natural repellent is garlic. Rats cannot stand the pungent scent, so place some garlic cloves at common entry points where rodents can access your home.
- Get a cat.
FAQ
What´s the difference between rats and mice?
Size is the biggest difference. Rats are larger, while mice have smaller and more slender bodies. You can also tell the difference between the two by looking at their tails. Rat tails tend to be shorter, thicker and hairless, while mice have tails that are long, slender and covered in hair.
Why do rodents come inside?
Like you, rats need shelter and a reliable source of food and water.
Can I just use poison to get rid of my rodent infestation?
Poison has two significant problems. If you have cats or dogs, they may get at it. Even if you keep it out of reach, they may bite a dead or dying rodent and ingest the toxin. Secondly, rodents may consume the poison, crawl off and die somewhere in your home that is difficult to access. You´ll be living with the stench of rotting rodent corpses for ages.
What should I do if mouse droppings are in my house?
Seeing droppings means they are actively in your home. Clean up right away to stop the disease spreading. Be sure to fully disinfect where you find them. Calling a pro rodent pest control expert may be needed to remove them.
What is secondary poisoning with rodents?
It is when a predator eats a rodent carrying bait poison. The poison then sickens the predator. To avoid this, put bait where predators can’t reach. Concrete slab foundations and sealed walls also limit rodent access and improve control.
Why Choose Us
- Victoria Government Licensed Pest Technicians
- $20 Million Public Liability Insured
- 3 month rodent control warranty
- Local Melbourne Business
- Eco-friendly Treatments
- Proud Member – Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association
- Fast and Reliable Exterminators
- Years of Experience in Pest Control Industry
- 100% Customer Focused service
- Free Quotations
Services
- Rodent Control Service
- Mice, Black and Brown Rats
- External and Internal Rodent Bait Stations
Melbourne Locations
- Central Suburbs
- Melbourne CBD
- South Yarra
- Prahran
- Richmond
- Essendon
- Collingwood
- Eastern Suburbs
- Northern Suburbs
- Western Suburbs
- Mornington Peninsula
Contact Us
Your best bet to eliminate your rodent infestation is by calling in professionals such as Pro Pest Control Melbourne. Phone: 07 5515 0220.
